Compare the2026 Mercedes AMG GLSVS 2025 Rolls-Royce Cullinan

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes AMG GLS are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Rolls-Royce Cullinan doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the AMG GLS are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Cullinan doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The AMG GLS has Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The Cullinan doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

Both the AMG GLS and Cullinan have rear cross-traffic warning, but the AMG GLS has Active Brake Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Cullinan’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the AMG GLS and the Cullinan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The AMG GLS’ corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Cullinan’s (5 vs. 4 years).

There are over 10 times as many Mercedes dealers as there are Rolls-Royce dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the AMG GLS’ warranty.

The AMG GLS’ 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 40 more horsepower (603 vs. 563) than the Cullinan’s standard 6.8 turbo V12. The AMG GLS’ 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 11 more horsepower (603 vs. 592) than the Cullinan Black Badge’s standard 6.8 turbo V12.

As tested in Car and Driver the Mercedes AMG GLS is faster than the Rolls-Royce Cullinan (base engine):

On the EPA test cycle the AMG GLS gets better mileage than the Cullinan:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the AMG GLS’ fuel efficiency. The Cullinan doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the AMG GLS’ fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Cullinan doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the AMG GLS’ engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Cullinan doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes AMG GLS higher (4 out of 10) than the Rolls-Royce Cullinan (2). This means the AMG GLS produces up to 15.6 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Cullinan every 15,000 miles.

For more complete vehicle control the AMG GLS has a manually controlled automatic, with the available convenience of an automatic transmission and the complete gear control of a manual transmission without the inconvenience of a clutch. A manually controlled automatic allows the driver to eliminate unwanted shifts and maximize engine braking by down shifting while cornering. The Cullinan doesn’t offer a transmission that allows complete gear control.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes AMG GLS, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Cullinan.

For better stopping power the AMG GLS CCB’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Cullinan:

The AMG GLS offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The Cullinan doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The AMG GLS stops shorter than the Cullinan:

For better traction, the AMG GLS has larger standard tires than the Cullinan (F:275/50R21 & R:315/45R21 vs. F:255/45R22 & R:285/40R22). The AMG GLS’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Cullinan (F:285/45R22 & R:325/40R22 vs. F:255/40R23 & R:295/35R23).

The AMG GLS has a standard space-saver spare (not available w/Burmaster 3D Surround Sound) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Cullinan; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the Cullinan don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

The AMG GLS’ drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Cullinan doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the AMG GLS is .1 inches wider in the front and 2 inches wider in the rear than on the Cullinan.

The AMG GLS 63 handles at .92 G’s, while the Cullinan pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The AMG GLS 63 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.7 seconds quicker than the Cullinan Black Badge (24.9 seconds @ .78 average G’s vs. 26.6 seconds @ .68 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the AMG GLS has a 3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Cullinan (9.8 vs. 6.8 inches), allowing the AMG GLS to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The AMG GLS is 4.4 inches shorter than the Cullinan, making the AMG GLS easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For excellent aerodynamics, the AMG GLS has standard flush composite headlights. The Cullinan has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The AMG GLS has standard seating for 7 passengers; the Cullinan can only carry up to 5.

The AMG GLS’ cargo area provides more volume than the Cullinan.

The AMG GLS’ available rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Cullinan w/Executive Rear Seats doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

The AMG GLS’ liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The Cullinan’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the AMG GLS’ liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Cullinan doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its tailgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the AMG GLS uses the Electronic Stability Program sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Cullinan doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The AMG GLS has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Cullinan doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The AMG GLS’ front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Cullinan’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

The AMG GLS’ power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Cullinan’s power window switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Heated windshield washer fluid is standard on the AMG GLS to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The Cullinan doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid. Its standard heated washer nozzles will defrost the washer fluid but not the windshield.

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the AMG GLS has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The Cullinan doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the AMG GLS has standard extendable sun visors. The Cullinan doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Mercedes GLS outsold the Rolls-Royce Cullinan by over 32 to one during 2024.