The Bentayga SUV has been an unqualified success for Bentley, accounting for 40% of all of the automaker's sales globally. We love it too — after a significant refresh in 2021, the Bentayga rose to the No. 2 slot in our list of the best Super Luxury SUVs thanks to its exceptional comfort, blistering performance, and impeccable interior materials and design. The Bentayga doesn't really have many faults, though we will admit it doesn't have the enormously spacious interior that you'll find in the Flying Spur or the old Mulsanne.
2023 Bentley Bentayga Plug-in Hybrid
MSRP Range: $197,300 - $239,300 Price range reflects Base MSRP for various trim levels, not including options or fees.
8.2/10
edmunds TESTED
In a world rife with SUVs, it can be difficult to stand out. But the Bentayga manages to make a statement no matter where it goes. Power and build quality are deeply impressive, and customization is nearly unlimited. A new-for-2021 10.9-inch infotainment system has done wonders for the interior, greatly improving the already excellent Bentayga experience.
2023 Bentley Bentayga Review
byDan Frio
Reviews Editor
Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to Edmunds, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.
, rating written byKurt Niebuhr
Senior Vehicle Test Editor
Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of Edmunds' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.
Pros
- Incredible luxury and craftsmanship
- Powerful engine and quick acceleration
- Legitimate off-road capability
- Optional seating for up to seven
Cons
- Optional equipment is very expensive
- Standard rear bench seat is a bit flat and plain
What's new
- New extended-wheelbase version offers more rear seat room
- New Azure series focuses specifically on comfort and well-being
- Ultra-exclusive Odyssean Edition and Speed Edition 12 models debut
- One of the last chances to get the W12 engine before it ceases production in April 2024
- Part of the first Bentayga generation introduced for 2017
Overview
Ten years ago, the idea of a Bentley SUV seemed absurd, almost sacrilegious. Credit the Bentley brain trust for rightly gauging the global appetite for SUVs, as the Bentayga has in just five years of production become the brand's best-seller. It's not hard to see why. The Bentayga packages the exceptional comfort, blistering performance and impeccable quality expected of a Bentley luxury sedan into a seven-passenger SUV that has few rivals.
For 2023, an extended-wheelbase version (dubbed EWB) joins the portfolio, adding 7 inches to the Bentayga's rear seat area. It's reviewed separately on Edmunds, but you should know that increased legroom is just the beginning. The EWB also offers diamond-quilted leather, massaging and climate-controlled seats, dual air ionizers, and even a repositioned panoramic sunroof designed for maximum sunlight. Optional is the new Airline Seat Specification package that adds footrests and 40-degree reclining rear seats that automatically adjust for optimal temperature and position. Bentley says constant and imperceptible changes in pressure points reduce passenger fatigue.
The optional Diamond Illumination package is a further masterstroke of Bentley detail, employing LEDs below perforated leather door panels for a dramatic nighttime effect. The EWB also comes with rear-wheel steering, which Bentley says makes the long SUV nimbler around turns than the standard Bentayga. Finally, a new Azure trim prioritizes comfort through increased sound insulation and standard driver assistance features, while two new special-edition models make this exclusive SUV even more so.
The new extended-length Bentayga makes Bentley's top seller even more appealing. While the Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS, Land Rover Range Rover, and other ultra-luxury SUVs offer similar comfort and performance, none but the more stratospherically priced Rolls-Royce Cullinan mind the handcrafted details quite like Bentley.
Edmunds Expert Rating
great
8.2/10
Edmunds Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
In a world rife with SUVs, it can be difficult to stand out. But the Bentayga manages to make a statement no matter where it goes. Power and build quality are deeply impressive, and customization is nearly unlimited. A new-for-2021 10.9-inch infotainment system has done wonders for the interior, greatly improving the already excellent Bentayga experience.
Rated for you by America's best test team.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Which Bentayga does Edmunds recommend?
We like the S trim since it comes standard with several options, such as Dynamic Ride (body roll control), a sport exhaust and the Blackline exterior trim. To that, we'd add the Naim audio package and the four-seat configuration to replace the Bentayga's standard ho-hum rear bench seat. As a bonus, and if you're on a bit of a restricted budget, the S starts $30K less than the V12-powered Speed.
Bentley Bentayga models
The standard-wheelbase 2023 Bentley Bentayga is available in four primary trim levels: base Bentayga, Azure, S and Speed. The base and Azure are also available with an extended wheelbase (EWB), and that model is reviewed separately.
Helpful shopping links
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2023 Bentley Bentayga First Impressions
•5/10/2022 (updated 9/27/2022)
So what's new here?
As was mentioned, the Bentayga EWB rides on a wheelbase lengthened by 7 inches. But it's not simply a cut-and-shut job. Boasting 2,500 new parts for the EWB, Bentley has essentially reengineered the Bentayga from the front seats back. Changes to the underbody and chassis even mandated considerable retooling and modification of the Bentayga's assembly line.
The best seat in the house
Our biggest tripping point with the Bentayga has long been its rather ordinary rear seat. It wasn't particularly spacious, and in the standard three-person bench configuration, it didn't look particularly special either. We always felt the Bentayga is best experienced as a four-seater, and we're pleased to see the EWB take that to a whole new level.
It still drives like a Bentayga
Thankfully, the experience we enjoyed so much in the standard Bentayga — driving it around like we owned every road — has not changed. The first versions of the EWB will be powered by the robust 542-horsepower 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. Bentley claims that even with the extra weight of the EWB modifications, the Bentayga only loses about 0.1 second to 60 mph. We stuffed the throttle into the Bentayga EWB's sumptuous carpeting, over and over again, and have no reason to doubt that claim. All-wheel drive is standard, as is an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Edmunds saysThe Bentayga EWB's growth spurt has given the super luxury SUV a new purpose, thanks to a huge boost in rear legroom and added comfort. Combine that extra legroom with arguably the most comfortable rear seats on the market and you've got a new Bentley that carries on the finest traditions of some of the marque's most storied models.
FAQ
Is the Bentley Bentayga a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2023 Bentayga both on the road and at the track, giving it a 8.2 out of 10. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Bentayga has 16.9 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Bentley Bentayga. Learn more
What's new in the 2023 Bentley Bentayga?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2023 Bentley Bentayga:
- New extended-wheelbase version offers more rear seat room
- New Azure series focuses specifically on comfort and well-being
- Ultra-exclusive Odyssean Edition and Speed Edition 12 models debut
- One of the last chances to get the W12 engine before it ceases production in April 2024
- Part of the first Bentayga generation introduced for 2017
Is the Bentley Bentayga reliable?
To determine whether the Bentley Bentayga is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Bentayga. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Bentayga's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2023 Bentley Bentayga a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2023 Bentley Bentayga is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2023 Bentayga and gave it a 8.2 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2023 Bentayga is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2023 Bentley Bentayga?
The least-expensive 2023 Bentley Bentayga is the 2023 Bentley Bentayga Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $197,300.
Other versions include:
- Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) which starts at $197,300
- S Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) which starts at $225,500
- Azure Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) which starts at $231,300
- Odyssean Edition 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) which starts at $239,300
What are the different models of Bentley Bentayga?
If you're interested in the Bentley Bentayga, the next question is, which Bentayga model is right for you? Bentayga variants include Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A), S Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A), Azure Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A), and Odyssean Edition 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A). For a full list of Bentayga models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more