2021 Bentley Bentayga First Edition - Excellent Luxury SUV!
- 2 years ago
Highs Refined gas-powered engines, optional hybrid powertrain, cosseting cabin.
Lows Exterior styling isn't for everyone, eye-popping starting price, best features cost extra.
Verdict Bentley offers speed, space, and sumptuousness in the Bentayga, making it an admirable contender in the ultraluxury SUV segment.
Overview
Keeping up with the Joneses could be a tough feat if that proverbial family has a 2021 Bentley Bentayga parked in the driveway. This ultraluxury SUV offers all the comfort of a leather-filled parlor plus plenty of tech features, a trio of powerful engine choices, and enough cargo space that you can schlep home a few cases of Montrachet when the wine cellar needs restocking. Supple upholstery, rich wood trims, and real metal accents commingle with modern infotainment touchscreens and wireless connectivity features. The Joneses really know how to treat themselves. Apart from the decadent Rolls-Royce Cullinan, other luxury SUVs have a difficult time stacking up to this Bentley in terms of creature comforts.
What's New for 2021?
Bentley freshened up the Bentayga's styling for 2021 with a more upright grille, new taillamps, and updated wheel designs. The SUV takes styling cues from the brand's new Continental GT coupe and Flying Spur sedan. The Bentayga's cabin sees a new 10.9-inch infotainment display, tweaked dashboard styling, Apple CarPlay compatibility, a revised rear-seat entertainment system, and a wireless smartphone charging pad.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
V-8: $183,425
First Edition: $225,855
Speed: $251,425
We like the V-8 model best. Even though the Speed's powerful W-12 engine puts more pep in this big SUV's step, 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.
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. Then there's the 542-hp twin-turbo V-8 engine. We haven't driven the former, but we can tell you that the latter emits a hearty burble on its way to 60 mph, which it does in just 3.8 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 ...
Lows Exterior styling isn't for everyone, eye-popping starting price, best features cost extra.
Verdict Bentley offers speed, space, and sumptuousness in the Bentayga, making it an admirable contender in the ultraluxury SUV segment.
Overview
Keeping up with the Joneses could be a tough feat if that proverbial family has a 2021 Bentley Bentayga parked in the driveway. This ultraluxury SUV offers all the comfort of a leather-filled parlor plus plenty of tech features, a trio of powerful engine choices, and enough cargo space that you can schlep home a few cases of Montrachet when the wine cellar needs restocking. Supple upholstery, rich wood trims, and real metal accents commingle with modern infotainment touchscreens and wireless connectivity features. The Joneses really know how to treat themselves. Apart from the decadent Rolls-Royce Cullinan, other luxury SUVs have a difficult time stacking up to this Bentley in terms of creature comforts.
What's New for 2021?
Bentley freshened up the Bentayga's styling for 2021 with a more upright grille, new taillamps, and updated wheel designs. The SUV takes styling cues from the brand's new Continental GT coupe and Flying Spur sedan. The Bentayga's cabin sees a new 10.9-inch infotainment display, tweaked dashboard styling, Apple CarPlay compatibility, a revised rear-seat entertainment system, and a wireless smartphone charging pad.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
V-8: $183,425
First Edition: $225,855
Speed: $251,425
We like the V-8 model best. Even though the Speed's powerful W-12 engine puts more pep in this big SUV's step, 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.
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. Then there's the 542-hp twin-turbo V-8 engine. We haven't driven the former, but we can tell you that the latter emits a hearty burble on its way to 60 mph, which it does in just 3.8 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 ...