Overview
Luxury, power, space, and speed are key traits of the 2020 Bentley Bentayga, ones that make it a highly desirable—if highly expensive—entry into the ultraluxury SUV world. Bentley offers four distinct models, allowing buyers to order exactly as much Bentayga as they want, and all four are impressive machines. Plenty of goodies—such as a panoramic sunroof, touchscreen infotainment system, and automated emergency braking—come standard, making the Bentayga a well-equipped SUV from the get-go, but we imagine buyers will have a hard time resisting some of the extra bits that Bentley offers.
What's New for 2020?
Bentley's SUV carries over with few changes for 2020. A hybrid powertrain consisting of a V-6 engine and an electric motor joins the lineup as the entry-level proposition. The Bentayga can now be had in either a seven-seat three-row configuration or a two-row four-seat setup; the five-seat arrangement is no longer available.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
We love the effortless power that the Bentayga Speed's W-12 engine provides, but its price premium over the V-8 is substantial. Perhaps it would be wise to select the eight-cylinder model and add some niceties to it, such as the adaptive suspension system, the rear-seat entertainment system, and the 20-speaker Naim stereo. Choosing the Touring Specification package will give you the Bentayga's suite of driver-assistance features.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Bentayga is offered with a variety of powertrains. On the low end, you have a 443-hp hybrid arrangement with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 and an electric motor or a 542-hp twin-turbo V-8 engine. We haven't driven the former, but we can tell you that the V-8 emits a hearty burble on its way to 60 mph, which it does in just 3.8 seconds. The Bentayga Speed ups the ante with a 626-hp W-12 engine. Back in 2017, when the Speed made only 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.
