Bentley Bentayga review

The Bentley Bentayga has been with us since 2016, and it’s interesting to see how our attitudes to it have changed in that time. At its original launch, it seemed almost heretical that a company like Bentley should build an SUV. And here we are now viewing it in just the same way as any other super-premium luxury car.

That’s because none of the core Bentley attributes have been lost in the Bentayga – it’s monstrously fast with a well-appointed cabin and levels of comfort and build quality that set it far above rivals.

Such are the Bentley’s wide range of skills, that choosing rivals for it is very tough. The upper echelons of the Porsche Cayenne and Range Rover line-ups are either as quick or luxurious, but neither simultaneously. At a similar price point is the amazing Lamborghini Urus, which is fast and drives like a sports car. If you fancy something with a price tag of twice as much, you could splash out on the Rolls-Royce Cullinan.

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The Bentayga is based on the same technology as the Audi Q7 and shares much of its under-the-surface tech, which is a good start. Apart from a bit of shared switchgear that no amount of silver trimming can hide, the Bentayga feels a step or two above any other VW group SUV.

As with all Bentley models the Bentayga comes with an interior trimmed with thick carpet, quilted leather and the finest veneers. Naturally there’s a wide range of choice of colours from classy and understated to eye-catching but chintzy. How your Bentayga looks will be ultimately down to the buyer, as the personalisation options are plentiful.

There are two engines to choose from. The V8 found in the regular Bentayga and the S is fast and muscular, while there’s also a plug-in hybrid called the Bentayga Hybrid. There are no diesels on offer as Bentley is moving towards an all-electric future, and the firm’s W12 isn’t available in the UK despite featuring in a Speed model elsewhere.

Over the next few pages we’ll be thoroughly reviewing all aspects of the Bentley Bentayga and rating them in our verdict. Our scores will take into account the driving experience, how pleasant the interior is, the practicality on offer and what it’ll cost you to run.