2019 Bentley Bentayga Review: Luxury, Performance, and Features

If you’re the kind of person that thinks a Lamborghini Urus is way too aggressive and the Range Rover is just a commoner, the one-million dirham Bentley Bentayga might just be the car for you. Introduced in late 2015, the Bentayga was Bentley’s response to an onslaught of full-size luxury SUVs that seemed to be too lackluster. What Bentley may not tell you is that mechanically, the Bentayga is more German than it is British, sharing its platform with lesser cars such as the new Audi Q7 and Volkswagen Touareg.

At the time of its launch, the Bentley Bentayga was claimed to be the “most expensive, most powerful, and fastest SUV in the world.” Today, it’s one of the most popular and in-demand models in Bentley’s entire lineup. In the UAE, this behemoth competes with the likes of the Range Rover, Mercedes-Benz GLS 63 AMG, and Lamborghini’s Urus.

Exterior

Head-on, it’s impossible to mistake the Bentayga for anything but a Bentley. The large chrome-laden grille with its complex mesh pattern, paired with the brand’s iconic quad-headlight layout, makes it easily identifiable. The lower part of this intimidating front fascia features a sporty bumper with big air intakes and a massive skid plate. A strong character line (‘power line’ in Bentley’s parlance) stretches from the svelte headlights to the SUV’s muscular rear haunches. Notable features include:

• Bold and enormous alloy wheels
• Extended wheel arches
• Thick chrome strip along the doors
• Distinctive B-shaped fender vents

The girthy rear end of the Bentayga sports a rear spoiler, contoured tailgate with the Bentley motif, rectangular LED taillights, and a chrome-garnished bumper with elliptical twin exhausts. Whip out a measurement tape, and you’ll read the following numbers:

• Length: 5.140 meters
• Width: 1.998 meters
• Height: 1.742 meters

Available only as a five-seater in the UAE, the Bentayga’s 2.995-meter wheelbase proves more than sufficient, though its boot volume of just 484 liters isn’t too impressive. As a whole, the Bentley Bentayga may not be the most handsome SUV, but it certainly has a substantial sense of presence on the road or even when parked outside the Ritz-Carlton in Dubai.

Interior

Inside, the Bentley Bentayga’s cabin is nothing short of grand and lavish. The quality of the stitched leather upholstery, aluminum trim, and chrome inlays feels expensive and posh. While it may not be as palatial as the Cullinan, it’s certainly more exquisite than any Audi or Range Rover. Fit and finish are very good, as is the build quality and attention to detail. Comfort is excellent with minimal outside noise entering the cabin, and the seats are exceptional.

Bentley has equipped the Bentayga with numerous conveniences, including:

• Adaptive LED headlights
• Dynamic cruise control
• Adaptive air suspension
• Quad-zone climate control
• Programmable tailgate
• Heated & cooled massaging seats
• Head-up display
• Night vision
• 8-inch touchscreen with navigation
• 18-speaker Naim sound system

Some of the Bentayga’s safety features include:

• Permanent all-wheel drive system with different terrain modes
• 8 airbags
• All-around parking sensors with surround-view cameras
• Electronic stability and traction assist programs
• Traffic Sign Recognition

Engine and Performance

The twin-turbo W12 powerplant of the Bentley Bentayga displaces six liters and produces 600 horsepower along with a colossal 900 Nm of torque. Shifting through an 8-speed gearbox and driving all four wheels, the Bentayga will accelerate past 100 km/h in a mere 4.1 seconds, continuing to just north of 300 km/h. As for fuel economy, it’s not the primary concern for buyers of this luxury SUV.

Verdict

The 2019 Bentley Bentayga with the W12 engine starts at AED 1,005,000, excluding extra options. Financing is available from AED 15,664.