2017 Version of Bentley

What it's miles: presently the quickest (187 mph) and maximum high-priced SUV available on the market, the Bentayga is Bentley’s commencing salvo to the ever-expanding SUV ranks, and it stands by myself because the best nameplate—no longer definitely a extra effective and gussied up variation—to start north of $two hundred,000. however, other ultraluxury makers, among them Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, Mercedes-Maybach, Aston Martin, and probable even Ferrari, are speeding to enroll in this birthday party as hastily as viable. A twin-turbo 6.0-liter W-12 making six hundred horsepower and 664 lb-toes of torque endows the more or less Audi Q7–sized Bentayga—no marvel for the reason that it’s based on the Audi’s bones—with mega thrust. whilst called on, the Bentayga factors its nostril skyward (not not like a lot of its proprietors) after which costs forward adore it’s looking to break out the ecosystem. The pricing of this four- or 5-seat über ute (a third-row alternative is being delivered for 2018) hastens just about as fast, with nearly endless options small and large, even which include uncommon and comprehensive falconry and fly-fishing packages as well as a $a hundred and seventy,000 Tourbillon via Breitling timepiece.

Why We tested It and how it performed: both of our previous Bentayga exams befell in California walking 91-octane gasoline. As wonderful as the effects had been—warping this nearly 6000-pound SUV to 60 mph in three.5 seconds—we wondered if the W-12 might run even stronger on the ninety three octane without problems available in our home state of Michigan. short answer: Nope. This modern-day Bentayga hit 60 mph in 3.6 and the quarter-mile in 12 seconds flat. The 60-mph time was a 10th shy of the alternative two exams, but the rest of the numbers fell between those accumulated in our two preceding outings, along with the four.1-second five-to-60-mph blast and the two.four- and a pair of.eight-second 30-to-50-mph and 50-to-70 passing times. That’s nevertheless extremely brief, and for the reason that our state-of-the-art ultra-luxe utilitarian sled weighed 109 pounds greater than the fastest instance—choice content material could make a enormous difference right here—the ones consequences are to be predicted. but, this Bentayga grew to become in its pleasant braking and skidpad performances, which still weren’t all that fantastic, as we have but to check one on the to be had summer time tires.
What it's miles: presently the quickest (187 mph) and maximum high-priced SUV available on the market, the Bentayga is Bentley’s commencing salvo to the ever-expanding SUV ranks, and it stands by myself because the best nameplate—no longer definitely a extra effective and gussied up variation—to start north of $two hundred,000. however, other ultraluxury makers, among them Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, Mercedes-Maybach, Aston Martin, and probable even Ferrari, are speeding to enroll in this birthday party as hastily as viable. A twin-turbo 6.0-liter W-12 making six hundred horsepower and 664 lb-toes of torque endows the more or less Audi Q7–sized Bentayga—no marvel for the reason that it’s based on the Audi’s bones—with mega thrust. whilst called on, the Bentayga factors its nostril skyward (not not like a lot of its proprietors) after which costs forward adore it’s looking to break out the ecosystem. The pricing of this four- or 5-seat über ute (a third-row alternative is being delivered for 2018) hastens just about as fast, with nearly endless options small and large, even which include uncommon and comprehensive falconry and fly-fishing packages as well as a $a hundred and seventy,000 Tourbillon via Breitling timepiece.

Why We tested It and how it performed: both of our previous Bentayga exams befell in California walking 91-octane gasoline. As wonderful as the effects had been—warping this nearly 6000-pound SUV to 60 mph in three.5 seconds—we wondered if the W-12 might run even stronger on the ninety three octane without problems available in our home state of Michigan. short answer: Nope. This modern-day Bentayga hit 60 mph in 3.6 and the quarter-mile in 12 seconds flat. The 60-mph time was a 10th shy of the alternative two exams, but the rest of the numbers fell between those accumulated in our two preceding outings, along with the four.1-second five-to-60-mph blast and the two.four- and a pair of.eight-second 30-to-50-mph and 50-to-70 passing times. That’s nevertheless extremely brief, and for the reason that our state-of-the-art ultra-luxe utilitarian sled weighed 109 pounds greater than the fastest instance—choice content material could make a enormous difference right here—the ones consequences are to be predicted. but, this Bentayga grew to become in its pleasant braking and skidpad performances, which still weren’t all that fantastic, as we have but to check one on the to be had summer time tires.
What we like: A dozen reciprocating cylinders underneath the hood is a stunning start—from the velvety-clean manner in which they alight, to the tastefully mild snarl of the exhaust, and, of course, to in no way looking for electricity. On the other quit of the Bentayga’s overall performance spectrum, this latest model of the W-12 proved all at once efficient, posting 23 mpg on our seventy five-mph highway check, drastically exceeding its EPA motorway score and matching the all-wheel-drive GMC Acadia Denali, which has half the cylinders and approximately 1/2 the electricity. The Bentayga’s interior looks the $200K-plus element, with surprising leather that extends all of the manner down the doors—in which the cheapening out happens and leather-based turns to plastic on lesser vehicles—and over the entire headliner. (Of the 15 to be had fashionable colors of leather-based, our automobile wore a beautiful -tone brown/beige.) other details worthy of the admiration of the severa onlookers vying for a glimpse include an wonderful earrings holder that clips into the front cupholders, elegant analog gauges (no digital cluster right here to pander to the new-money crowd, thank you very tons), the artfully rendered interior door handles, and a metal gas cap so weighty that those unaccustomed may fumble it all through the primary removal. There’s switchgear borrowed from Audi, inclusive of the cruise-manipulate stalk and the steering-wheel knobs, however at the least it's miles slathered in enough chrome to set it aside. even though the Bentayga’s limits aren’t distinctly high at the all-season tires our check vehicle wore and the tire squealing begins early, it is prepared to play near the cornering limit, in which a dab of the brakes brings approximately a meaningful rear-quit rotation. Plus, there’s a selfie app built into the Android capsules of the rear-seat leisure system, which seems spectacularly on point.

What We Don’t Like: Why should the W-12 act so insecure, usually attempting to impress us with its effective thrust? initial throttle response is laggy when trying to power lightly, and then the strength comes barreling on some distance too strongly. There’s a sag throughout the 1-2 upshift, and then it can provide every other unruly surge. although complaining about charge can also seem a little too apparent, suffice it to mention that the law of diminishing returns kicks in nicely earlier than the Bentayga’s $235,525 opening charge. inspite of the brilliant initial ask, Bentley expenses extra for everything from interior evaluation sewing ($1980)—the equal at the steering wheel fees an added $210—to rear-seat entertainment ($7155), an 18-speaker Naim stereo upgrade ($4690), a seat that folds out of the shipment place ($3200), and the four-seat configuration ($11,half), now not to mention a $7870 bundle of electronic safety aids inclusive of lane-preserving assist, adaptive cruise manipulate, night time vision, and a head-up show. Even a heated guidance wheel prices $455 extra. And at our $285,114 as-ready charge, the Bentayga lacks a strength headrest adjustment, its lane-centering system annoyingly dithers the guidance wheel, and the plasticky shift lever turned into creaking in our automobile. This Bentley additionally doesn’t experience as well or experience as structurally stable because the Q7, notwithstanding a high-tech adaptive suspension, and we decide on Audi’s MMI infotainment as properly. additionally, in terms of practicality, the Bentley struggles to measure up, retaining most effective 9 bring-on-size bags behind the second row, one much less than the a good deal smaller Ford break out. pick out the 4-seat alternative and the second one row doesn’t fold, either. the ones rear seats have a princely excessive seating height however not a whole lot of stretch-out room, a number of which ought to be further sacrificed by using sliding the seats forward if occupants need to enjoy plenty in their reclining functionality.