2018 Bentley Bentayga Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
byTravis Langness
Reviews Editor
Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.
Pros
- Incredible luxury and craftsmanship
- Powerful engine and quick acceleration
- Legitimate off-road capability
- Optional seating for up to seven
Cons
- Base trim lacks a few key features, especially for the price
- Limited rear-seat and cargo room
What’s new
Three new trim levels have been added to the Bentayga lineup. Known as the Activity Edition, the Signature and the Black Edition, they essentially package together previously available options.
Vehicle overview
The 2018 Bentley Bentayga clearly leads the ultra-luxury SUV field. Its 6.0-liter, twin-turbo W12 makes it astonishingly fast, its sophisticated suspension makes it impressively comfortable, and its cabin is constructed with some of the finest materials available on the planet.
The aforementioned engine, the Bentayga's 6.0L W12, puts out 600 horsepower and 663 pound-feet of torque, catapulting it from 0-60 mph in just 4 seconds. That's an impressive number by sports car standards, but even more so when you consider the Bentayga's 5,400-pound curb weight. Helping control that weight through the corners is an air ride suspension. Bentley also offers an option called Dynamic Ride that allows for increased capability, both on the road and off. It adeptly uses electric motors built into the suspension to reduce body roll and increase traction.
Inside, there's no mistaking the Bentayga for anything other than a Bentley. Even so-called base trim levels use the practically opulent leathers, woods and metals. From there, personalizing your Bentayga can get as granular as the commission of owner-specific paint colors, lambswool carpet, and even veneered picnic tables to match your car. And, as if to prove a point, just four Bentaygas a year are available with a unique Breitling Tourbillon clock that costs $168,000. An entire Porsche Cayenne Turbo S would cost less.
Without doubt, the Bentayga is one of the most outrageous SUVs ever built, and only those with deep pockets will get the chance to own one. Its considerable capabilities, however, make it much more than just an expensive timepiece.
Trim tested
Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our first drive of the Bentley Mulsanne (turbo 6.0L W12 | 8-speed automatic | AWD).
Driving
The Bentayga exceeds expectations thanks to unbelievable acceleration coupled with impressive handling that doesn't compromise the ultra-luxury ride quality.
Comfort
The ride quality of the Bentayga — thanks to its air ride suspension — is the focal point. Compared to the supreme luxury found in some of Bentley's other offerings, however, the Bentayga comes up a little short.
Interior
For a family taxi, you can do better. Other three-row SUVs are better at taking on multiple passengers. But no other SUV can compare to the Bentayga for overall regality.
Utility
Cargo space is less than in some competitors and can't be expanded when equipped with the four-seat layout. That said, with the towing potential taken into account, the Bentayga might be the most utilitarian Bentley.
Technology
For the price, the Bentayga starts with very little standard tech. Once optional upgrades are taken into account, the Bentayga can be had with a host of driver aids and excellent infotainment features.
Which Bentayga does Edmunds recommend?
Let's be honest. If you're going to buy a 2018 Bentley Bentayga, you're going to get whichever one you want the most. Whichever Bentayga matches your watch collection best or clashes with your supercar least, that's the one you'll choose. But, we'll dream for a minute and select our ideal Bentayga, too: the Signature. The Signature is a new trim level for 2018 that adds equipment such as parking aids, additional off-road driving modes, and Bentley's sophisticated Dynamic Ride system. From there, you can custom-build your Bentayga with pretty much any aesthetic detail you desire.
2018 Bentley Bentayga models
The 2018 Bentley Bentayga is offered in five different trim levels: the base Onyx Edition, Activity Edition, the Signature, the Black Edition and the range-topping Mulliner. Bentley offers quite a few packages, which the automaker calls "specifications," for the Bentayga that add on some useful features. And, as with every car Bentley makes, the company will be happy to customize the Bentayga however much you can imagine and afford.