Bentley Bentayga (2016 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]
Summary
The Bentley Bentayga is a large luxury SUV, launched in 2015 before going on sale in the UK in 2016. It is based on the same platform as the Volkswagen Touareg, Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne and Lamborghini Urus.
The Bentayga has received good to very good scores from 32 UK reviews we have analysed to date. As of January 2022, it has an Expert Rating of 67%, which is on par with the Mercedes-Benz GLS and just behind the BMW X7, but it lags well behind the class-leading Aston Martin DBX. The majority of these reviews are for the original version, with more reviews for the facelift version likely to be published through 2021.
The Bentley Bentayga has received particular praise for its comfort, performance and luxury, but has been criticised for its divisive styling and for not feeling sufficiently better than the Audi Q7 on which it is based. An updated model arrived in the second half of 2020, which went some way to addressing these issues and has seen improved review scores from inital reports.
Key specifications
Body style: large SUVEngine: petrol, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £185,500 on-road
Launched: Autumn 2015Last updated: Summer 2020
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Bentley Bentayga (pre-facelift)
Bentley Bentayga (post-facelift)
Bentley Bentayga (pre-facelift)
Bentley Bentayga (post-facelift)
Bentley Bentayga (pre-facelift)
Bentley Bentayga (post-facelift)
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Score: 6.4 / 10“For ushering four people across a continent in opulent luxury, the Bentley Bentayga is exceptionally competent. But the lack of standard safety tech is simply unacceptable.”
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: 4.0-litre petrol automatic (facelift model)Score: 8 / 10“This feels like a very worthy mid-life upgrade for the Bentley Bentayga – even though the unchanged V8 engine remains at the core of the vehicle’s appeal. Where this car really stands out next to its VW Group stablemates, though, is in the personal touches and British craftsmanship in the cabin.”
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Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“The Bentley Bentayga is one of the most accomplished and glamorous SUVs around, but you pay for the privilege.”
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Model reviewed: HybridScore: 7 / 10“In terms of low speed smoothness and refinement, a hybrid system feels completely appropriate for the Bentayga.”
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Model reviewed: Speed“The performance upgrade cements the model’s place as one of the most dynamically capable SUVs on the market.”
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Plug-in HybridScore: 9 / 10“The hybrid system has been very cleverly tuned to deliver that silent, instantly available sense of power Bentley drivers love.”
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Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8.4 / 10“The new Bentley Bentayga sticks with the winning combo of luxury and performance while sharpening its style and increasing the tech.”
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Autocar
Model reviewed: Hybrid“In electric mode, the Bentayga Hybrid is a supreme luxury machine.”
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Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 9 / 10“The Bentley Bentayga is a hugely significant and accomplished addition to the super-luxury set.”
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Model reviewed: HybridScore: 7 / 10“A very important and, indeed, significant car.”
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Model reviewed: SpeedScore: 8 / 10“If you like this kind of car, and I concede that’s a fairly mighty ‘if’, you will likely love the Bentayga Speed.”
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Car
Model reviewed: 3.0-litre petrol/electric HybridScore: 6 / 10“Depending on your intended use, the Bentayga Hybrid will either be the answer to your prayers or something of a disappointment. When pushed, it just doesn’t have the effortless nature you’d expect from the flying B and is far too reminiscent of lesser Volkswagen group products.”
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Model reviewed: SpeedScore: 8 / 10“There’s a reason why Bentley is known for luxury, as the Bentayga’s cockpit is a sight to behold and be a part of.”
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Model reviewed: HybridScore: 6 / 10“The electrified Bentayga offers three hybrid modes: EV-only, Hybrid and Hold, plus a further three driving modes on top, including Sport, Bentley and Comfort.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“If you can afford to buy and run it, the Bentley Bentayga is a seriously swift and luxurious SUV, with a driving experience that belies its size.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The Bentley Bentayga is an uber-luxurious and exclusive SUV that redefines luxury in this area of the market, but you might spot some Audi switches around the interior.”
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Daily Mail
Model reviewed: 4.0-litre petrol V8 First Edition“Bentley’s refreshed luxury SUV faces intense competition on price, spec, performance and illusive star quality from some deadly rivals. Driving in ‘Sport’ mode is particularly invigorating, with Space-X style lift off.”
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Model reviewed: Hybrid“If you want a large, luxurious off-roader that doesn’t drink petrol as quickly as the 4.0 litre V8, or the awesome 187mph 6.0 litre W12 Bentayga then the hybrid could be for you.”
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Electrifying.com
Model reviewed: 3.0-litre petrol-electric plug-in hybridScore: 7 / 10“Bentley’s first trip into the luxury plug-in hybrid sector. Traditional Bentley craftsmanship without typical Bentley mpg… as long as you remember to plug it in.”
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Eurekar
Model reviewed: 4.0-litre petrol automatic“A Bentley Bentayga owner might take the practicalities for granted as they drool over the myriad ways their particular car can be made to feel even more special.”
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Evo
Model reviewed: SpeedScore: 8 / 10“A little extra pace and handling edge will suit buyers who always want the ultimate.”
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Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 7 / 10“Bentley’s first SUV is sure to be a sales hit, but its sheer weight limits the appeal as a drivers SUV.”
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Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“Even when considered against other super-luxurious SUVs, the Bentley Bentayga is a very tempting option. Granted, there are far cheaper SUVs that do a fairly similar job, but none of those have the quality, craftsmanship or heritage of a Bentley. Strong in every area, so a great all-rounder.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 10 / 10“Only a happenstance of ‘monkey types up a Shakespeare’ proportions would see your Bentley Bentayga duplicated elsewhere. In that context, the price and the running costs won’t matter at all. Nor will the fact that it really is that ugly.”
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Motoring Research
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The Bentley Bentayga is a class act. Its styling remains divisive, but it offers luxury, all-weather ability and a real sense of occasion.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 9.4 / 10“Bentley’s first SUV impresses with speed and comfort – at a price”
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The Intercooler
Model reviewed: 4.0-litre petrol automaticScore: 7 / 10“Sure, I’d rather look at and drive an Aston Martin DBX, but to live with and thanks to its ride, refinement and sense of designed-in quality, the Bentley Bentayga makes a strong case for itself, at least for this kind of car.”
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The Sun
Model reviewed: W12“A limo with no limits. You can travel first-class everywhere.”
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The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: DieselScore: 8 / 10“Eats motorways and laughs in the face of Alps.”
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Model reviewed: W12Score: 10 / 10“It’s an open question whether the Bentley Bentayga will spend most of its time gatecrashing sheep conventions in the Cairngorms or gliding darkly through the VIP pick-up areas at airports. But the point is, it can do both.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 3.0-litre petrol/electric HybridScore: 6 / 10“If you can live with the fuel consumption, the V8 is a much better Bentayga that does without many of the flaws and foibles that afflict the Hybrid. And if you really need a plug-in, there are some much cheaper alternatives that, while admittedly less opulent, are more satisfying to drive.”
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Model reviewed: V8Score: 6 / 10“The Bentley Bentayga V8 makes a beautiful noise and costs significantly less than the 12-pot with only minor performance sacrifices. It’s naff, but technically competent and volcanic on the autobahn.”
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Model reviewed: DieselScore: 8 / 10“Bentley has actually managed to make diesel a luxury fuel; amazing. If you’re after a six-figure, ultra-luxury SUV to make a statement, and for the occasional soggy polo field, this is the one to go for.”
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Model reviewed: W12 petrolScore: 8 / 10“Hugely impressive in so many ways, the Bentley Bentayga is sure to be a sales success.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The Bentley Bentayga has always been an irresistibly posh take on the SUV. Its update only exaggerates the feeling.”
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Model reviewed: HybridScore: 6 / 10“A luxury SUV that can trundle its wealthy occupants around a zero-emissions city centre isn’t to be sniffed at.”
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Model reviewed: SpeedScore: 6 / 10“It really is a mighty motor, and you get to experience it properly because Bentley locks the torque converter up at low revs, allowing the engine to drive directly.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The Bentley Bentayga may not be quite as sharp to drive as an Aston Martin DBX, or as cosseting as a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, but it strikes a convincing compromise between the two, both in terms of both its price and dynamics.
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Safety rating
No safety rating
The Bentley Bentayga has not been crash tested by Euro NCAP. Based on its price, we are not expecting this to ever happen – but if it ever does, we will update this section accordingly.
Eco rating
No eco rating
The Bentley Bentayga has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. This is a new initiative, launched in 2018 as a sister organisation to Euro NCAP, and only a few cars have do far been assessed. As yet, very few new cars have been tested for environmental impact by Green NCAP, and inevitably the testing programme was halted in early 2020 by the coronavirus pandemic.
If and when the Bentayga is tested by Green NCAP, we’ll publish the results here.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Bentley Bentayga has received
2021
- 4×4 Magazine Awards – Best Luxury SUV
2016
- Autocar Awards – Game changer
- Robb Report UK Awards – SUV of the Year
- Esquire Awards – Car of the Year
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Bentley Bentayga, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Aston Martin DBX | Audi Q8 | BMW X7 | Land Rover Range Rover | Lamborghini Urus | Maserati Levante | Mercedes-Benz GLS | Mercedes-Benz G-Class | Porsche Cayenne | Rolls-Royce Cullinan
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Keyword: Bentley Bentayga