Overview
These days even legacy luxury automakers like Bentley need an SUV in their stable, and the 2024 Bentayga doesn’t skimp on the ultimate posh experience that the brand’s Continental GT and Flying Spur models are known for. Step up into its cabin and the Bentayga’s aromatic leather wraps you in a gentle hug. Scan the dash and take in the gorgeous metal trim and rich wood inlays mixed with modern infotainment tech. Press the Bentayga’s console-mounted start button and one of three available engines—a V-8, a W-12, or a plug-in hybrid V-6—smoothly comes to life behind the appropriately imperious grille. You’re in a Bentley, for sure, even if it takes the less alluring shape of an SUV. Performance is admirable with any of the powertrains, but the V-8 proved quickest in our testing, hitting 60 mph in a scant 3.5 seconds. But performance may not matter if you plan to be chauffeured, and if that’s the case, the extended wheelbase Bentayga is the one you should opt for—and make sure to order the reclining rear seats for maximum relaxation.
What’s New for 2024?
The Bentayga gets a new range-topping Mulliner trim for 2024 that comes with unique exterior design elements and can be specified in almost 4000 different interior color combinations. Bentley says it’s also used more sustainable materials inside the Mulliner than other Bentleys, including carpets made from wool or recycled nylon, and leather tanned using a byproduct of olive oil. The Mulliner can be had only with the Bentayga’s extended-wheelbase body and the V-8 engine. This year will also be the last for Bentley’s W-12 engine, as the brand is phasing it out in favor of more fuel-efficient offerings such as hybrids and EVs.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
We like the V-8 model best. Even though the Speed’s powerful W-12 engine is silky smooth and effortlessly powerful, its price premium over the V-8 is substantial. We’d suggest sticking with the eight-cylinder model and adding some niceties to it, such as the adaptive suspension, the rear-seat entertainment system, and the 20-speaker Naim stereo. And choosing the Touring Specification package will give you a suite of driver-assistance features. If you’re looking to maximize luxury for your rear-seat passengers, go with the extended-wheelbase model, which provides additional legroom and more rear-seat amenities.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Bentley offers a variety of powertrains for the Bentayga. On the low end, you have a 443-hp hybrid arrangement with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 and an electric motor; Azure and S hybrids offer a slightly more powerful 455-hp version of the electrified powertrain. Then there’s the 542-hp twin-turbo V-8 engine. The V-8 emits a hearty burble on its way to 60 mph, which it does in just 3.5 seconds. The Bentayga Speed ups the ante with a 626-hp W-12. Back in 2017, when the Speed made 600 ponies, this supersmooth powerhouse delivered a 3.6-second result in our 60-mph test. The W-12’s power delivery is creamier than the V-8’s, and its performance felt more robust during passing maneuvers. Bentley claims that the Bentayga Speed, with a claimed top speed of 190 mph, is the fastest SUV in the world (although the Lamborghini Urus might have something to say about that). Regardless of what’s under the hood, all Bentaygas utilize an eight-speed automatic transmission and come standard with all-wheel drive.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The V-8-powered model’s ratings of 14 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 17 mpg combined aren’t bad for a large SUV, but the W-12’s are: it earns estimates of 12 mpg city, 17 mpg highway, and 14 mpg combined. No, a Bentley SUV isn’t here to save fuel. That said, on our 75-mph highway fuel economy route, the 12-cylinder Bentayga did surprise us with a 23-mpg result. For more information about the Bentayga’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Filled with rich-smelling leather, real wood trim, and glitzy metal accents, the Bentayga’s cabin stays true to its luxury breeding. Bentley allows buyers to customize just about everything. Buyers can opt for front and rear buckets, seating four, or they can select a three-across second-row bench and a pop-up two-seat third-row to seat seven. While the rear seat doesn’t feel as lavish as that of the Bentayga’s key rival—the Rolls-Royce Cullinan—it still offers plenty of space for adult passengers to stretch out in. The new long-wheelbase model offers more legroom and additional amenities, so that’s the one to buy if you’re planning on being chauffeured. It’s offered only as a two-row vehicle and can be ordered with rear bucket seats that massage and recline up to 40 degrees. Two different mother-of-pearl-faced Breitling dash clocks are available as is a bottle cooler for rear-seat passengers, adjustable ambient interior lighting, and even a safe with a biometric lock and fingerprint reader. The Bentayga’s cargo area is generous, at least in two-row versions; we were able to fit nine carry-on suitcases back there.
Infotainment and Connectivity
All Bentayga models come standard with a 10.9-inch infotainment screen with navigation and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The optional entertainment system consists of two 10.2-inch displays mounted to the front-seat headrests. With it, rear-seat passengers can browse the web, interact with the Bentayga’s infotainment system, or play movies. A 12-speaker stereo is standard, but you can opt for Naim’s 20-speaker premium audio system.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Bentley offers several driver-assistance features but, surprisingly, almost all of them cost extra. Paradoxically, buyers of lesser luxury SUVs such as the BMW X7 or Cadillac Escalade will find that many of these features come standard. For more information about the Bentayga’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Available lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Available adaptive cruise control and night-vision system
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Like all other Bentley models, the Bentayga comes standard with a three-year warranty that has no mileage expiration. Also, the first maintenance visit is free. The Cullinan offers more value here in the form of a four-year warranty package and four years of complimentary maintenance.
- Limited warranty covers three years, unlimited miles
- Powertrain warranty covers three years, unlimited miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for one year or 10,000 miles
Specifications
Specifications
2022 Bentley Bentayga S
Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $222,525/$269,865
ENGINE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 244 in3, 3996 cm3
Power: 542 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 510 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: multilink/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 15.7-in vented disc/15.0-in vented disc
Tires: Pirelli P Zero
285/40ZR-22 (110Y) B
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 117.9 in
Length: 201.8 in
Width: 78.7 in
Height: 68.6 in
Passenger volume: 109 ft3
Cargo volume: 17 ft3
Curb weight: 5439 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.5 sec
100 mph: 9.0 sec
1/4-Mile: 12.0 sec @ 114 mph
130 mph: 16.2 sec
150 mph: 24.4 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 4.6 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.6 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 3.2 sec
Top Speed (mfr’s claim): 180 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 165 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 331 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.88 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 14 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 22 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 490 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 18/15/24 mpg
2021 Bentley Bentayga V-8
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE AS TESTED
$226,985 (base price: $179,725)
ENGINE TYPE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 244 in3, 3996 cm3
Power: 542 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 568 lb-ft @ 1960 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): multilink/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 15.7-in vented disc/15.0-in vented disc
Tires: Pirelli P Zero, 285/40R-22 (110Y) B
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 117.9 in
Length: 201.8 in
Width: 78.7 in
Height: 68.6 in
Passenger volume: 109 ft3
Cargo volume: 17 ft3
Curb weight: 5470 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.3 sec
100 mph: 8.9 sec
130 mph: 16.1 sec
150 mph: 23.7 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 4.6 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 2.7 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 3.2 sec
1/4 mile: 11.9 sec @ 114 mph
Top speed (mfr’s claim): 180 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 161 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 324 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.87 g
Standing-start accel times omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 24 mpg
Highway range: 540 miles
EPA FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST)
Combined/city/highway: 17/14/23 mpg
