2021 Bentley Bentayga

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

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 3.3 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.

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Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

It should come as no surprise that the Bentayga Hybrid pulls in the best EPA fuel-economy ratings of the range. It also offers up to 18 miles of electric-only driving before the turbocharged V-6 fires up. 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 200-mile highway fuel-economy route, the 12-cylinder Bentayga surprised us with a 23-mpg result.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Filled with rich-smelling leathers, real wood trim, and glitzy metal accents, the Bentayga's cabin stays true to its luxury branding. 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. Several different colors of leather upholstery are available, as are two different mother-of-pearl-faced 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 cargo area is generous, at least in two-row versions; we were able to fit nine carry-on suitcases back there.

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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

Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have put the Bentayga through any crash tests, and due to the SUV's price and low sales volume, it's unlikely either agency will. Bentley offers several driver-assistance features, but unfortunately, almost all of them cost extra. Paradoxically, buyers of "lesser" luxury SUVs such as the BMW X7 or Cadillac Escalade will find many of these features come standard. 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 whole 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 Specs