2023 Bentley Bentayga Review, Pricing, and Specs

Overview

If your two-car garage already has a Bentley Continental GT coupe or convertible in one of the bays, the other can be filled by a matching Bentayga SUV. Why? For one thing, the Bentayga makes for a more practical daily driver and can seat a family. It can be equipped with a plug-in hybrid powertrain for those necessary commutes when gas prices peak, but can also be had with a twin-turbo V-8 or a mighty twin-turbo W-12. The Bentayga’s luxury experience is much the same as you’ll find in the Conti or the Flying Spur sedan, with rich leather, tasteful wood and metal trim, and plenty of tech features throughout its cabin. Of course, if you’re not particularly brand loyal, this six-figure segment of ultra-luxury SUVs also includes the Mercedes-Maybach GLS600 and the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, both of which would also make good sidekicks for a luxury grand tourer.

What’s new for 2023?

An extended wheelbase body style has been added to the Bentayga lineup for 2023. The longer body allows for more space in the back seat for passengers to stretch out and relax. This model comes with a rear-wheel steering system that helps reduce the SUV’s turning radius. It also features Bentley’s new Diamond Illumination ambient lighting system that shines lights through hand-stitched leather panels. The rear seats recline up to 40 degrees and there is a footrest that extends from the back of the front passenger seat so the right rear passenger can kick their feet up. The rear seats can be had with massaging functions and your choice of a full-length center console or a center seat. Two additional plug-in hybrid options join the lineup this year in classy Azure and sporty S guise. Both new hybrid trims offer slightly more power and more electric-only driving range than the standard PHEV model at 455 horsepower and 27 miles of range. A limited edition Odyssean model is also available for 2023 and comes only with the hybrid powertrain; just 70 units will be made, all with environmentally friendly interior materials including open-pore Koa wood and tweed upholstery.

Prices 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 significant. We suggest sticking with the eight-cylinder model and adding a few goodies like the adaptive suspension, the rear-seat entertainment system and the 20-speaker Naim stereo. And choosing the Touring Specification package will give you a range of driver assistance features. If you want to maximize luxury for your backseat passengers, choose the extended wheelbase model, which offers additional legroom and more rearseat 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 powerplant. Then there’s the 542-hp twin-turbo V-8 engine. The V-8 lets out a hearty burble on the 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 ​​600 was making ponies, this super-smooth powerplant had a 3.6 seconds result in our 60-mph test. The W-12’s power delivery is creamier than the V-8s, and its performance felt stronger 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 Driving might have something to say about it). Regardless of what’s under the hood, all Bentaygas use an eight-speed automatic transmission and come standard with four-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. That said, on our 75-mph highway fuel economy route, the 12-cylinder Bentayga surprised us with a 23 mpg result. For more information on the Bentayga’s fuel consumption, visit the EPA’s website.

Range, charging and battery life

While the base plug-in hybrid powertrain comes with a 13.0-kWh battery and only 18 miles of estimated electric driving range, the Azure and S hybrids have a larger 18.0-kWh battery that is said to provide up to 27 miles of electric-only driving deliver motoring.

Interior, comfort and cargo

The Bentayga’s cabin is filled with rich-smelling leather, real wood trim and glossy metal accents, staying true to its luxury brand. Bentley allows buyers to customize just about everything. Buyers can opt for front and rear buckets with seating for four, or they can choose a three-over second-row bench and a pop-up two-seat third row for seating for seven. While the back seat doesn’t feel as plush as that of the Bentayga’s main competitor—the Rolls-Royce Cullinan—it still offers enough space for adult passengers to stretch out. The new long-wheelbase model offers more legroom and additional amenities, so it’s the one to buy if you’ll be chauffeured. It is offered only as a two-row vehicle and can be ordered with rear bucket seats that massage and recline up to 40 degrees. Several different colors of leather upholstery are available, as are two different mother-of-pearl face Breitling dash clocks, 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 boot is spacious, at least in two-row versions; we could fit nine carry-on bags in 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 screens mounted on the front seat headrests. With it, rear seat passengers can surf 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 sound system.

Safety and Driver Assistance Features

Bentley offers several driver assistance features, but unfortunately almost all of them cost extra. Paradoxically, buyers of “lesser” luxury SUVs like the BMW X7 or Cadillac Escalade will find that many of these features are standard. For more information on 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 automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Available lane departure warning with lane keeping assist
• Available adaptive cruise control and night vision system

Warranty and Maintenance Cover

Like all other Bentley models, the Bentayga comes standard with a three-year no-mileage warranty. The first interview visit is also free. The Cullinan offers more value here in the form of a four-year warranty package and four full 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

More features and specifications