Item: Bentley Bentayga
Rating: 4
Author: What Car? Team

This twin-turbocharged, 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine puts out a whopping 542bhp and allows the 2.5 tonne Bentayga to accelerate from 0-60mph in just 4.4 seconds. Given the room, will go on to a top speed of 180mph.


4.0 V8 S Mulliner Driving Spe

In many ways, modern Bentleys offer the best of both worlds, blending traditional British craftsmanship with modern mechanicals developed with the help of the company’s owner, Volkswagen.

The Bentayga SUV, for example, is closely related to Audi’s brilliantly engineered Q7 (another VW Group car). Yet the Bentayga still feels every inch a Bentley, thanks to its hand-finished interior and the fact that it’s available with Bentley’s outrageous W12 engine.

Other Bentleys you can buy today include the Flying Spur and Mulsanne saloons and the Continental GT coupé.

BENTLEY

BENTAYGA

A slightly sportier version of the Bentayga, with bolder looks and suspension tweaks to improve handling. V8 only.

4.0 V8 S 5dr Auto

40-v8-s-5dr-auto

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Introduction

Performance & drive

Interior

Passenger & boot space

Costs & verdict

It’s no surprise that Bentley’s self-proclaimed ‘ultimate SUV’ costs a lot to buy, but then again, so do its rivals. Although the Bentayga is based on an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q7/4x4/review/n87">Audi Q7</a>, buying a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/bentley">Bentley</a> also brings with it a number of personalisation options, allowing you to create your own completely bespoke, blank-cheque specification.&nbsp;

That said, if you just want to ‘settle for' the standard specification, you’re unlikely to be disappointed. The list includes (but is not limited to): auto wipers, heated leather seats, a panoramic roof, a 590W stereo system and the 10.9in infotainment system. The S introduces 22in alloys, a sports exhaust and black exterior highlights.&nbsp;

Of course, there’s also a long and expensive options list to peruse, including a box for the truly mesmerising 1780W (yes, you read that correctly) NAIM audio system – a must for audiophiles.&nbsp;

In terms of running costs, the 4.0-litre V8 engine has an official fuel economy figure of just over 21mpg. In real-world driving, we’ve seen it consistently drop into the low teens. CO2 emissions are on the high side, placing it in the top 37% bracket for <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/company-car-tax-calculator">company car tax</a>.&nbsp;

The Hybrid version's running costs are more palatable, with a CO2 output of just over 80g/km and an official fuel economy figure of more than 80mpg. You’ll have to charge up the 17.3 kWh battery at every opportunity to get anywhere that, though.

We managed to achieve more than 35mpg on a long journey with a fully-charged battery, dropping to the high-20s when it had depleted. As a result, the Hybrid makes the most sense for those who mostly cover short journeys.

The Bentayga is predicted to experience depreciation at a similar rate to the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/aston-martin/dbx/estate/review/n21787">Aston Martin DBX</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/lamborghini/urus/estate/review/n17868">Lamborghini Urus</a>. The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/rolls-royce/cullinan/4x4/review/n18282">Rolls-Royce Cullinan</a> has the strongest residuals in the class because it’s produced in far smaller numbers.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/the-safest-cars-on-sale-today/n19724">Euro NCAP</a> hasn’t safety tested the Bentayga, but the Audi Q7 it’s based on gets a full five stars. You get plenty of safety kit to help prevent an accident, including adaptive cruise control, night vision, a forward collision warning system, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, rear cross-traffic warning, traffic sign recognition and blind-spot warning. There are also two Isofix child seat attachments on the rear outer seats. Automatic emergency braking&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-aeb-and-how-does-it-work/n3283">(AEB)</a> is standard.

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If you’re disappointed that the Bentley Bentayga’s flagship engine is now the 4.0-litre V8, not the discontinued 6.0-litre W12, don’t be. For one thing, the V8 sounds better, emitting a pleasingly subtle woofle from its two oval exhaust pipes, plus it sounds even fruitier if you opt for the Bentayga V8 S with its bellowing sports exhaust.

Thanks to a whopping 542bhp, you also have plenty of power. Despite this&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-luxury-suvs-2022/n17036">luxury SUV</a> weighing the best part of 2.5 tonnes in V8 guise, it will sprint from 0-62mph in just 4.5 seconds, matching the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/aston-martin/dbx/estate/review/n21787">Aston Martin DBX</a>.&nbsp;

The Bentayga Hybrid, meanwhile, uses a smaller 3.0-litre V6 paired with an electric motor to produce a combined output of 443bhp. There’s still plenty of grunt available, with a 0-62mph time of 5.5 seconds, and while performance is far more sedate in pure-electric mode, you can still glide in near silence to motorway speeds.

The official electric-only range of 25 miles isn’t particularly impressive, especially when you consider that the significantly cheaper <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x5/4x4/review/n38">BMW X5</a> xDrive45e has a range of 54 miles, but it is competitive with its closest rival the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover/4x4/review/n17353">Range Rover</a> plug-in hybrid.

Of course, more focused sports SUVs such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/lamborghini/urus/estate/review/n17868">Lamborghini Urus</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/cayenne/estate/review/n17375">Porsche Cayenne</a> Turbo S are quicker still, but the Bentayga never feels anything less than effortless in the way it demolishes the road ahead of you.

A big part of that is down to the silky-smooth eight-speed ZF-made gearbox. When you push on, it always seems to be in the right gear at the right time, rendering the column-mounted paddles redundant.

That said, we should also point out that it can be a little hesitant around town – a problem that also afflicts the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q8/4x4/review/n19691"> Audi SQ8</a>, which shares the same ZF 'box. If you’re looking for the ultimate, smooth, chauffeur-driven vehicle, we’d advise you to take a look at the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/rolls-royce/cullinan/4x4/review/n18282">Rolls-Royce Cullinan</a> instead.

The changes made in 2020 brought improvements in steering precision and made the standard car fractionally keener to turn in to a corner, but if you value a truly engaging driving experience we’d recommend the V8 S.&nbsp;It comes with tweaked suspension, a more dynamic stability control (ESC) tune and a revised torque vectoring system. Small dynamic tweaks, you might argue, but they all add up to deliver a surprisingly entertaining package.&nbsp;

The stiffer 48-volt anti-roll bars, for example, do a stellar job of propping up the body in quick bends, while the more lenient ESC allows the car to flow more naturally down a technical stretch of road. Factor in steering with a more natural weighting than the standard car and we reckon this is the first Bentayga that can confidently stand toe to toe with performance-focused rivals such as the DBX and Urus without having to make excuses.&nbsp;

The best bit about the V8 S package is that the tweaked suspension settings haven’t compromised the Bentayga’s wonderful pliancy. In Comfort mode, the ride is relatively sumptuous, and you only feel occasional disturbances over sharp-edged bumps. Even if you ramp it up to Sport mode, it never becomes to firm, which can’t be said of the DBX.&nbsp;

Refinement is more impressive than in those sportier rivals too, with very few vibrations sent into the Bentayga's interior. At a cruise, the engines fall silent, while wind noise is kept to a minimum, despite the car’s bluff shape.

Road noise is noticeable on optional 22in wheels (standard on V8 S models), while the standard 21in wheels are appreciably quieter. You'll hardly hear the difference between smooth tarmac and rougher concrete at motorway speeds. Over larger bumps, you do occasionally experience the odd ‘thunk’ from the air suspension, though.

Fuel 

Gearbox

0-62 MPH

The Hybrid combines a smaller engine with an electric motor to lower running costs. The ability to drive around 25 miles (officially) on electric power alone adds to the Bentayga's refinement, propelling you in silence. A more subtle way of travelling than the V8.

http://example.com

3.0 V6 Hybrid

30-v6-hybrid

OUR PICK

4.0 V8

40-v8-s-mulliner-driving-spe

The Bentley Bentayga marked a whole new direction for the prestigious British brand, as its first ever SUV. When it arrived, it was a trailblazer for high-end luxury SUVs and was virtually unchallenged at its price point.

Since the Bentayga went on sale, the competition has hotted up, with cars including&nbsp;the performance-focused <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/aston-martin/dbx/estate/review/n21787">Aston Martin DBX</a> and ultra-luxurious <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/rolls-royce/cullinan/4x4/review/n18282">Rolls-Royce Cullinan</a> following in its wake.

It doesn't just face rivalry from those models, though. There's no shortage of luxury SUVs that cost far less snapping at its heels, such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q7/4x4/review/n87">Audi Q7</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x7/4x4/review/n19102">BMW X7</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover/4x4/review/n17353">Range Rover</a>.&nbsp;

To help fend off those rivals, the Bentayga was treated to a wide-ranging update, because although it was the fastest-selling <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/bentley">Bentley</a> of all time, the public’s reaction to the car's&nbsp;looks at launch was, shall we say, rather mixed.

The exterior was tweaked to bring it in line with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bentley/continental-gt/coupe/review/n17232">Bentley Continental GT</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bentley/flying-spur/saloon/review/n17297">Bentley Flying Spur</a>, with a larger, more upright grille, elliptical front and rear lights, a larger rear wing&nbsp;and a more aggressive stance. The car's 21-inch wheels (22s are optional) now more fully fill the wheel arches.

Beneath all that new dressing, though, the recipe is much the same as ever. The underpinnings are&nbsp;still from&nbsp;the Q7, and under the bonnet you'll find the&nbsp;542bhp twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine or the tech-laden V6 plug-in hybrid.&nbsp;

The V8 diesel and the range-topping 6.0-litre W12 have now been discontinued and won’t be coming back.

So, does the Bentley Bentayga still have what it takes to compete with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-luxury-suvs-2022/n17036">best luxury SUVs</a> and stand out in this competitive class?&nbsp;That's what we'll be exploring over the next few pages of this review.

We'll compare&nbsp;it with rivals including the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/lamborghini/urus/estate/review/n17868">Lamborghini Urus</a>, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/cayenne/estate/review/n17375">Porsche Cayenne</a> Turbo S&nbsp;and&nbsp;the&nbsp;Cullinan for performance, interior quality, practicality, running costs and more. We'll also tell you which engine and trim combination we recommend.

If your interest in buying a new car is piqued, you could save thousands of pounds on many makes and models of vehicle by searching our free <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">What Car? New Car Buying service</a>. It's a great place to find the best <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/category/luxury-suv">luxury SUV deals</a>.

Inside the Bentley Bentayga, the driver is treated to a suitably luxurious driving position. The standard seats adjust in a wide range of directions (16, if we’re being specific) and the steering column tilts and extends to match.

The front seats themselves are beautifully designed. There’s just enough side bolstering to hold you tight in the corners, plenty of lumbar support, and in Comfort Specification&nbsp;they come with a massage function.

As a car to while away the hours in, it doesn’t get much better than this. It’s thoughtfully designed, too. The Bentayga is easy to see out of for such a big car, and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/bentley">Bentley</a> gives you front and rear parking sensors plus a rear-view camera (with a bird’s eye view) as standard.&nbsp;

The interior was given an overhaul as part of the 2020 update. The changes were mostly to&nbsp;the details:&nbsp;gone were the two eyeball air vents, replaced with a winged vent inspired by the Bentley Bacalar limited edition grand tourer and incorporating an analogue clock.

The Bentayga also has digital dials that are great at putting the most relevant information in front of the driver (the sat-nav map or&nbsp;music information, for example). There’s an optional head-up display&nbsp;with the Touring Specification, which projects info such as speed, street names and distance to your destination on to the windscreen.&nbsp;

The biggest and most welcome change, though, is to the infotainment system. At 10.9in, its screen is larger than that of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/aston-martin/dbx/estate/review/n21787">Aston Martin DBX</a>&nbsp;and it comes loaded with kit. A DAB radio, wireless <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">Android Auto</a>, real-time navigation&nbsp;and an embedded SIM all come as standard.

The touchscreen also has pin-sharp graphics, is responsive to commands and has menus that are intuitive and easy to use. We also love the way it can be controlled using&nbsp;the screen itself or with a number of hard keys located beneath it – something not possible in the touchscreen-based <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q7/4x4/review/n87">Audi Q7</a>.&nbsp;

As you might expect, the materials are very impressive – from the rich leather and wood veneer to the aluminium air vents with their organ stop adjusters. There is a tremendous feeling of quality, especially in the styling on the chrome bezels and the exquisite stitching on the dashboard and seats. S also models get Alcantara inserts on the steering wheel, seats and gear lever.

There are a few clues inside that give away the Bentayga's VW Group roots, such as the indicator stalks, steering-wheel controls and climate control dials, and the interior quality of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/rolls-royce/cullinan/4x4/review/n18282">Rolls-Royce Cullinan</a> is even more plush.

One of the most complete and compelling luxury SUVs on sale today

The front of the Bentayga provides all the space two tall adults could need, and cocoons the driver with a high centre console that flows into the winged dash design <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/bentley">Bentleys</a> have become famous for.

There are&nbsp;lots of storage spaces dotted around the interior and a useful tray below the centre console with a wireless phone-charger. If you prefer to plug in, there are four USB type-C sockets, two in the front, two in the rear.&nbsp;

As standard, the Bentayga comes with a five-seat layout, but you can also specify a four-seat layout or seven seats in three rows. The four-seat layout has two throne-like seats in the back separated by a wide centre console with built-in storage cabinets.

There’s plenty of rear leg room even if you’re sitting behind a six-footer, and more headroom than you’ll find in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/lamborghini/urus/estate/review/n17868">Lamborghini Urus</a>. We’ve yet to test out the seven-seater and its&nbsp;rear two fold-down seats.

The 484 litres of boot space is generous, but is beaten by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/aston-martin/dbx/estate/review/n21787">Aston Martin DBX</a> (632 litres) and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/rolls-royce/cullinan/4x4/review/n18282">Rolls-Royce Cullinan</a> (600 litres). The Bentayga load bay is flat and long, and big enough for several large suitcases. A powered tailgate comes as standard, but you have to pay extra if you want to be able to open it with a foot-waving gesture beneath the rear bumper.

You also have to open your wallet for optional boot separators to keep luggage in place. In five-seat configuration, the rear seats split 40/20/40 as standard and fold down to expand the boot.

Overall, the Bentayga is a decently spacious and practical <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-luxury-suvs-2022/n17036">luxury SUV</a>, but so are a number of its rivals, not least the vast <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x7/4x4/review/n19102">BMW X7</a>.

The standard Bentayga, if you can call it that, comes packed with kit that includes full matrix LED headlights with high-beam assist, auto wipers, heated leather seats, front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera (with a top view angle), a panoramic roof, a 590W stereo system and a 10.9in infotainment system. 


Bentayga

bentayga

An option pack that brings flashy 22in wheel designs, additional interior colour options, alloy foot pedals and a jewel fuel filler cap. It's all in the detail.

Mulliner Driving Spec

mulliner-driving-spec

The First Edition is massively expensive but comes with an equally massive equipment list that includes a number of expensive packages such as the Mulliner Driving Specification and the Touring Specification. The former brings goodies such as 22in wheels, diamond quilted seats and jewel fuel and oil filler caps, while the latter includes head up display, night vision and adaptive cruise control. You also get a number of First Edition fascia badges and NAIM audio’s mesmerizing 1780W sound system. 


First Edition

first-edition

Adds the Mulliner Driving Spec's flashy 22in wheel designs, interior colour options, alloy foot pedals and jewel fuel filler cap to the V8-only S version's bolder looks and suspension tweaks.

S Mulliner Driving Spec

s-mulliner-driving-spec

When it comes to pure driving dynamics, the Bentley Bentayga in our preferred V8 S specification can stand toe to toe with performance-focused SUVs such as the Aston Martin DBX and Lamborghini Urus. Yet unlike those rivals, Bentley hasn’t compromised on refinement. In other words, it represents something of a sweet spot in the luxury SUV class.


<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Logical and beautifully built interior, with great infotainment</li> <li>More than enough space for five passengers or, even better, seven</li> <li>Strong performance along with impressive efficiency</li> <li>Composed handling that limits any feeling of unwieldiness</li></ul>

We class a luxury SUV as being anything where our pick of the range costs more than £45,000 – and at this price point, buyers' expectations are high. So, as well as all of the qualities that make regular SUVs such well-rounded choices –&nbsp;such as decent space for passengers and luggage, a classy interior and robust materials – we also want a cosseting ride, the latest driver assistance technology and enough space to really stretch out.

The Land Rover Discovery proves that you don't need to spend a lot of money to get a luxurious SUV, but if you've got a bit more to spend, the Audi Q7 is perennially popular among buyers, and with good reason. Or, at the very top of this market, there are newer additions such as the BMW X7 to consider.

Luxury SUV

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of space for all passengers</li> <li>Large boot with lots of clever storage solutions</li> <li>Good fuel economy and running costs</li> <li>All-round comfort</li> <li>High-quality interior finish</li></ul>

We define a large SUV as anything longer than 4.5 metres. These cars aren’t usually particularly cheap to buy or lease, so in return we expect a roomy cabin, a lengthy list of standard equipment and excellent cruising refinement. A few models in this class are two-wheel drive, but the vast majority have four-wheel drive for at least a modicum of off-road ability.

The Mazda CX-5 is firmly road-focused, but its 2.0-litre petrol engine is a strong, refined performer, making it looks good value for less than&nbsp;£25k. If you can stretch the budget a fair bit, the Audi Q5 provides a combination of comfort, driving prowess, quality and space that's hard to beat. Unlike some rivals, it can't be had with seven seats, though.

A more affordable, yet well-equipped alternative is the Peugeot 5008. It’s more than capable of coping with family life&nbsp;– and all versions have seven seats as standard.&nbsp;

Large SUV

Bentley Bentayga review

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Read review covering Bentley Bentayga boot space, size and dimensions, front and rear seat comfort by the expert What Car? test team.

The front of the Bentayga provides all the space two tall adults could need, and cocoons the driver with a high centre console that flows into the winged dash design Bentleys have become famous for.,There are lots of storage spaces dotted around the interior and a useful tray below the centre console with a wireless phone-charger. If you prefer to plug in, there are four USB type-C sockets, two in the front, two in the rear. ,As standard, the Bentayga comes with a five-seat layout, but you can also specify a four-seat layout or seven seats in three rows. The four-seat layout has two throne-like seats in the back separated by a wide centre console with built-in storage cabinets.There’s plenty of rear leg room even if you’re sitting behind a six-footer, and more headroom than you’ll find in a Lamborghini Urus. We’ve yet to test out the seven-seater and its rear two fold-down seats.The 484 litres of boot space is generous, but is beaten by the Aston Martin DBX (632 litres) and Rolls-Royce Cullinan (600 litres). The Bentayga load bay is flat and long, and big enough for several large suitcases. A powered tailgate comes as standard, but you have to pay extra if you want to be able to open it with a foot-waving gesture beneath the rear bumper.,,You also have to open your wallet for optional boot separators to keep luggage in place. In five-seat configuration, the rear seats split 40/20/40 as standard and fold down to expand the boot.Overall, the Bentayga is a decently spacious and practical luxury SUV, but so are a number of its rivals, not least the vast BMW X7.

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