Bentley Bentayga (2020 - )

The impact that Bentley’s first SUV, the Bentayga, had on this British carmaker shouldn’t be underestimated. Introduced in 2016 after years of suspense, it was a very different type of vehicle from anything Bentley had made before and helped to spearhead a push towards even more luxurious SUVs, with Rolls-Royce introducing the Cullinan a few years later and the new Range Rover going even further upmarket when it arrived. 

For the past few years, the Bentayga has continued to be Bentley’s best-selling model, accounting for a 42 per cent share in 2022, and outselling the Continental GT models and Flying Spur. 

A heavily updated version was introduced in 2020, with a new front-end design incorporating a more upright grille and advanced twin Matrix LED headlights. Around the rear, the Bentayga features new oval taillights that bring it in line with its latest Continental GT, while the cabin benefits from an updated 10.9-inch touchscreen with enhanced connectivity. 

Under the bonnet, there are two options – a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine or a plug-in hybrid for those wanting to keep a watch on their running costs. More on those powertrains shortly. 

Bentley has continued to expand the line-up of versions, with the standard Bentayga available alongside a sportier ‘S’ version and a more luxurious ‘Azure’ trim. There’s also an Extended Wheelbase (EWB) model designed for those wanting more of a chauffeur vehicle. It’s 18cm longer, with that increase in size benefitting those in the rear of the car. There’s even an ‘Airline Seats’ option that offers 22-way electrical adjustment including reclining and massaging functions. 

The changes made to the Bentayga on the exterior certainly make it a bolder proposition. That huge grille and the sheer size of it means it won’t go unnoticed, and there’s an almost ridiculous number of personalisation options available, from colours to wheels and even the ability to change the interior stitching. 

The interior is perhaps the best thing about the Bentayga and it has improved as part of this update. Underneath, this SUV shares aspects with Audi’s much cheaper Q7 and previously that was more obvious - tweaks have made the commonality between the two less apparent than before.

Bentley has successfully given this new SUV more of its own flavour, with a new interface and different displays, as well as more technology courtesy of the new 10.9-inch touchscreen. The cabin is also built to the highest quality, with plush materials fitted throughout befitting the Bentley badge and price. 

Speaking of price, it won’t come as a surprise that the Bentayga is no bargain. Prices kick off from around £170,000 for the standard car, but the price quickly increases as you go up the specifications. Our ‘S’ test car had a base price of £190,000, but the price can quickly rack up as you go through the optional extras and personalisation process. 

Standard equipment is exceptional, though, with features including air suspension, all-wheel steering and a 3D surround camera all included. You also get a minimum of 21-inch alloy wheels, along with full matrix LED headlights and a full suite of driver assistance technology. 

The two versions of the Bentayga are a V8 and a plug-in hybrid. Starting with the former, this uses a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine (as in our test car) that produces 542bhp and 770Nm of torque that enables a 0-60mph time of 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 180mph.

If you’re looking to keep a watch on the environment, there’s the plug-in hybrid which pairs a 3.0-litre petrol engine to an electric motor for a combined 456bhp and 770Nm of torque. It’s a bit slower than the V8, with 0-60mph taking 5.8 seconds and maxing out at 158mph, says Bentley. 

Our test car is the Bentayga S, and though you can have it with the hybrid setup, you preferably want it with the V8 engine on this grade as it gets a host of upgrades, including more powerful brakes, an enhanced sport mode and a sports exhaust that the plug-in doesn’t get. The result is exceptional, with its driving manners contrasting its large, bulky size.

The engine makes a fabulous rumble when you put your foot down and features a sports exhaust that has a thrilling note, especially in the most aggressive driving manners where it childishly pops and crackles. But flick the Bentayga into a comfort driving mode and things quieten and settle down and it becomes a wonderful cruiser to waft along in with supreme refinement. It’s a remarkably well-rounded SUV for every occasion. 

The Bentley Bentayga is a large and imposing SUV and has the dimensions to match; measuring 5,125mm in height, 2,222mm in width (including the mirrors) and 1,728mm in height. 

You’d hope it would offer plenty of interior space with dimensions like that, and it doesn’t disappoint. While coming in a five-seat configuration as standard, you can choose it with an optional third row of seats if you’re looking for maximum practicality, though this isn’t available on the plug-in hybrid. A more luxurious four-seat configuration is also available, bringing two large individual rear seats with a large centre armrest and cupholders. 

The size of the boot varies depending on the number of seats and version, ranging from 387 litres with the four-seat plug-in hybrid model to 487 litres with the five-seat V8. 

As we’ve mentioned, there’s also the EWB version available if you want even more rear seat space, with this model primarily aimed at those using their cars as chauffeur vehicles. 

With the option of a plug-in hybrid, it is possible to have a Bentley SUV that’s cheap to run – surprisingly. With the battery charged up, Bentley claims around 25 miles, which means that shorter local journeys could be done without having to use the engine. The claimed economy figures are 81mpg and CO2 emissions of 79g/km. You will need to do most of the miles on electric to see figures such as those, though, as the V6 engine isn’t very efficient on its own. 

The V8 engine, however, will not be efficient in the slightest. Bentley claims just 21mpg, while CO2 emissions of 294g/km are especially high by modern standards. Even on a car like the Bentayga, it’s worth being mindful of the cost of keeping it on the road, especially if you do plenty of miles. 

The only caveats with the Bentley Bentayga are ones that you’d expect anyway, that it’ll be expensive to both buy and run. But aside from that, this SUV is one of the most impressive and desirable around. 

In this V8 S configuration, the way it drives is exceptional, managing to feel sporty and raucous at the press of a button, but quiet and comfortable with another turn of the dial. Combine this with the exceptional interior and technology of this latest model and it cements the Benteyga’s place as one of the best luxury SUVs around.