Bentley first rolled out the Bentayga in 2016. At that time, the model’s first-ever SUV was the beginning of one thing. You’ll be able to measure the trade earlier than and after the Bentley Bentayga, very like you might with the Porsche Cayenne. It took the degrees of luxurious present in one thing like a Flying Spur and transplanted it into a much more standard physique fashion, with a plethora of manufacturers following go well with. Right now, the Bentayga is a cornerstone of Bentley’s lineup. In 2021 alone, the Bentayga was the model’s best-seller, with a large 40% of all Bentleys offered being Bentaygas.
Little doubt trying to capitalize on this success, Bentley launched the EWB (prolonged wheelbase) this 12 months. Briefly, it is precisely what you’d need out of a Bentayga. Extra luxurious, high-quality supplies, and, after all, extra legroom. To be precise, Bentley has added 7.08 inches of additional house between the axles, proper the place it counts.
On the media launch of the Bentayga EWB in Canada, we hung out in two variants of the EWB, the Portofino Blue ($294,715 as-tested) and Cumbrian Inexperienced ($307,220 as-tested) vehicles you see right here, with the latter geared up with Bentley’s Airline Seat Specification with two particular person rear seats offering unparalleled luxurious for a princely sum of $11,195. However extra on that in a bit.
First, let’s get one thing straight. There are specific varieties of people that can afford a four-seater Bentley SUV with acres of leather-based inside and a six-figure MSRP. We’re, regrettably, not amongst them. The people who find themselves in that little circle care an terrible lot about how issues look to the skin world. As such, there is a little bit of a model hierarchy among the many rich. There may be additionally, critically for Bentley, an entire lot of brand name loyalty.
Proper now, a minimum of, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan sits on the prime of the “nicely I’ve bought a” hierarchy. Altering that will not be simple, and Bentley is aware of this. That is why greater than 2,500 new elements had been used to construct the EWB, at substantial value to Bentley, we would add.
On prime of that, whereas the Bentayga begins at $263,500, Bentley expects a large number of these vehicles will likely be optioned nicely previous $300K, thanks largely to the model’s Mulliner division. Principally, it is the model’s “something you need” division. And when you are going to spend Rolls-Royce Cullinan money on a loaded-up Bentayga, you’d higher get simply that.
Exterior: Stately And Understated
Now, with that stated, let’s start evaluating the Bentayga, notions of standing, model loyalty, and others apart. How does the Bentley stand by itself? Aesthetically a minimum of, it stands tall. Bentley added the entire “prolonged” bits in proper on the rear passenger compartment. You may discover it, particularly in profile. The rear doorways are noticeably longer (and heavier) than the fronts. Don’t fret, there is a button to shut them for you. The brand new proportions additionally gave method to probably the greatest options of the Bentayga. Because of the brand new geometry, the automotive’s rear “shoulder” is much more pronounced. Should you’re asking us, it seems improbable and ties the entire profile collectively. It additionally helps to visually shrink the door a tad.
The story is way the identical on the entrance. This seems like a Bentley, by and thru. On our drive by the mountains exterior Vancouver, Bentley had a number of Flying Spurs alongside to shuttle its personnel round (perks of the job, we suppose). Sat subsequent to a extra conventional Bentley physique fashion, the familial resemblance is blatantly apparent.
Do not go considering this automotive is shouty, nonetheless. The Bentayga likes to mix in, regardless of its dimension, particularly in darker shades. Our take a look at automotive’s Cumbrian Inexperienced paint seemed nearly black in some lights and blended into the background till you actually gave it a glance.
In fact, when you do, you understand you are one thing particular. By some means, the Bentayga offers off an aura of solidity; no flimsiness right here. The brightwork across the automotive would not look chintzy. It is stately, accenting the automotive in all the correct locations. That’s solely emphasised by the Bentayga’s four-light format, one thing you may discover on each automotive within the present lineup bar the Mulliner Batur, which precurses what future Bentleys will appear to be.
Talking of, the element inside the lights is staggering. There is a high quality crystalline sample to the lights that actually stands out when you’re lower than ten ft from a Bentayga and appears like an ornate crystal whiskey tumbler. Then, the Bentayga adjustments your practice of thought from “oh look, a Bentley” to “oh man, that appears costly.” The lights are, undoubtedly, the most effective exterior function on the automotive after the brand new, extra distinguished shoulder.
Efficiency: Please Sir, Might I Have Some Extra
Below the Bentayga’s hood, sat simply behind these headlights we like a lot, lives the EWB’s 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. Bentley says the V8 delivers “supercar efficiency,” they usually’re proper. 550 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque rocket the SUV’s 5,542-pound body to 60 mph in a hilarious 4.5 seconds. That is quicker than the unique Acura NSX.
Bentley spent a while getting the facility outputs the place it needed them, sure, however a bigger focus has been positioned on effectivity, together with cylinder deactivation that lets the V8 function as a four-cylinder beneath low hundreds.
We will take a second right here to speak extra about spec. Each of the vehicles we drove had been Azure fashions, which is essentially the most luxury-leaning Bentayga spec reasonably than efficiency; in any case, who buys an extended-wheelbase SUV for efficiency?
The Brits additionally positioned nice emphasis on different features of the Bentayga. Bentley reps advised us {that a} majority of Bentaygas will likely be metropolis vehicles for a lot of their lives, and a particular focus was positioned on maneuverability consequently.
So, after some off-roading, Bentley requested us to show round on the prime of a ski soar at Whistler. Frankly, not numerous vehicles would’ve made it in a single go. However the Bentayga’s all-wheel steering works so nicely that the EWB really has a turning circle smaller than that of the usual automotive.
There’s one other trick to make sure the Bentayga shrinks round you: Bentley Dynamic Journey. Principally, it is energetic physique roll management. The system makes use of the automotive’s air suspension and digital sway bars to always counter roll within the corners. Usually, you may by no means even discover it working. That is how good it’s. Solely when sat within the Bentayga’s extra-large rear seats did we discover it. Whereas one other journalist hustled the Bentayga down a mountain highway, we stayed flat and degree within the again.
You are under no circumstances remoted from the expertise, particularly at any actual tempo, however the system does genuinely make sure the Bentayga EWB stays flat and degree throughout the overwhelming majority of situations.
Driving Impressions: To Drive Or Be Pushed
There are two methods to expertise the Bentayga EWB in movement, one in all which can pull a number of zeroes out of your financial savings account. That’d be shopping for one and driving it your self, thereby lacking out on all that prolonged wheelbase opulence. Then, the opposite; shopping for a Bentayga and getting a driver. That’ll take a number of extra zeroes out of your presumably substantial financial savings account.
Let’s speak about the second first, just because it is extra enjoyable to inform somebody “yo, dwelling to Bel Air” than it’s to drive there your self. Being pushed is much better with the Airline Seat Specification. The seats make full use of the EWB’s extra legroom and add footrests on the entrance seatbacks. You’ll be able to’t fairly lie flat, however you will get darn shut. Had we not been on the clock, it’d have been an excellent place for a nap.
The First Version automotive we drove with the Airline seats (pictured beneath) additionally got here with the Naim sound system, and it is frankly probably the greatest we have heard in any automotive. It is also nearly the one factor you hear. The inside is quieter than whisper quiet, and highway noise merely would not exist.
Nearly all of our driving was finished within the Portofino (blue) automotive beneath, and it was a very spectacular factor to drive. The engine is absurdly highly effective. Even when factoring within the Bentayga’s substantial weight, the pace you choose up on a whim is hilarious.
On a number of events, we discovered ourselves dashing by some measure after what we perceived to be regular driving. The automotive is a factor of momentum. Fortunately, it stops properly. The Bentayga will even do a good Jeep impression, as a fast scramble up the again of a ski soar confirmed us. The off-road mode raises the experience peak and makes cruising within the one place nobody will ever take a Bentayga a breeze.
Regardless of Bentley’s efforts to make the V8 cleaner and extra environment friendly, it nonetheless appears like a V8. A few of this merely must be piped in given how insulated the cabin is, however we’ll take it. This is not a automotive you drive shortly. It is one which sits at excessive pace, cruising alongside in close to complete silence. The one time you really want the facility is to overhaul, which you may do numerous.
That brings us to the elegant eight-speed computerized transmission. It is aware of when to shift, even when it’s going to allow you to do it by way of tactile metallic paddles behind the wheel. Frankly, you may by no means want them. The transmission is the very last thing in your thoughts whereas driving the Bentayga. As a substitute, you may be too busy twiddling with the 22-way seats and sound system.
The experience high quality is supremely good, dare we are saying unparalleled. Virtually nothing is translated into the cockpit. That is additionally true of the steering really feel. The EWB rides so nicely that it is mainly a cloud, incomes the “Magic Carpet” cliche that’ll certainly be uttered by somebody.
The automotive’s energetic roll management and Bentley drive mode work collectively to maintain the automotive completely composed. At no level does the Bentayga really feel something lower than completely fitted to no matter process you’ve got given it, as long as you are not driving like a bat out of hell. This, frankly, simply is not the automotive for that previous a sure level. It’s going to do it, however you will not actually be rewarded for it. As a substitute, you are higher off having fun with the inside.
Inside: A Seat Match For Kings
Should you purchase a Bentayga EWB and do not benefit from the Airline Seat Specification, you are lacking out. These stars of the present are arguably essentially the most superior seat fitted to any automotive. They’re supremely snug in each, and having a spot to place your ft up with the Airline Seat spec is delectable.
Even with out them, the Bentayga EWB’s seats have full energy adjustment, together with lumbar, reminiscence operate, heating, and cooling for all occupants, which may all be managed by way of the removable middle display screen. However Bentley gives two issues that set the Airline seats aside. First, they monitor your physique temperature, adjusting the heating and cooling features to maintain you on the excellent temperature. Readings are taken by way of the seatbelt, and the automotive adjusts from there.
Along with that, Bentley takes activating massages to an entire different degree. There is a particular therapeutic massage operate that can robotically transfer your physique inside the seat, twisting and pushing it subtly to stimulate blood circulate. At no level in our journey did we really feel even the slightest fatigue because of this technique. It is unimaginable how far more refreshed you’re on the finish of a drive after utilizing each programs in tandem.
The entrance seats aren’t half-bad both, with limitless adjustability and one million and a half therapeutic massage features to maintain you from feeling the miles. The switchgear is unimaginable; all the pieces has a tactility to it you do not get in cheaper luxurious vehicles. If you wish to know the distinction between a $100K automotive and a $300K automotive, it is the little particulars like how the switches and rotary knobs really feel.
Take the stitching. It is exact to the millimeter, completely laid out over leather-based match for royalty. You could possibly spend hours poring over the little particulars within the EWB and nonetheless come out asking for extra time. Bentley’s temper lighting even shines by the perforated leather-based now.
Now, we do should say that the stalks on the wheel (and possibly even the wheel) are proper out of Audi’s elements bin. Small automakers can solely accomplish that a lot, however the buttons on them are a minimum of metallic for a extra primo really feel. Fantastic by us. One other Audi element is the infotainment system, however it feels premium with a Bentley UI, and it is simple to be taught, accurately.
Verdict: A Class Of One
Holding the Bentayga EWB to its competitors is hard. The Vary Rover SV Autobiography, whereas supremely luxe, is, relying on spec, anyplace from $40,000+ cheaper than the Bentayga EWB, which begins at $263,500. The Urus will simply arrive at that quantity, however that is like evaluating an Aventador to a Mulsanne. The Cullinan appears an apparent alternative, with costs beginning at roughly $300k. Nevertheless, that is earlier than choices, of which house owners will choose many. That leaves the Bentayga alone.
Bentley has positioned the Bentayga EWB slightly below the Cullinan, and it lives there comfortably, leaving us wanting for nothing. At one level, we joked concerning the lack of a champagne fridge. “That might be organized,” got here the reply. Actually, should you’re wanting extra opulence in your transport, you are both shopping for a Cullinan, which may simply hit half one million {dollars} after choices, otherwise you’re spending double that on a non-public jet.
You do not want the jet, thoughts you; the Bentayga EWB performs that function nicely sufficient. It’s supremely snug, quiet, and superbly understated. It would not give off the identical “Greater than you possibly can afford, pal” vibe because the Cullinan, and it is higher off for it. This may occasionally simply be our favourite ultra-luxury SUV but.