2017 Bentley Bentayga

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Rating8.4

Ranked #4 in 

Midsize SUV
Write Review
$229,100 - $297,400
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on August 8, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

Top-notch materials inside out

Price is on the expensive side

Introduced as a whole new car for the 2017 model year

Plush and comfortable ride

Driving dynamics leave a bit to be desired

Seamless and refined powertrain

SUV dilutes brand identity

Specs & Features

$229,100

price

600 hp @ 5000 rpm

horsepower

664 lb.-ft. @ 1350 rpm

torque

8-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

6.0L 12cyl AWD 8A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

As one of the best luxury car manufacturers in the world, expectations run high when Bentley announces an SUV for the first time in its illustrious history. The 2017 Bentley Bentayga is the culmination of that effort and delivers a powerful punch in terms of both, luxury and performance. The platform is shared with the Audi Q7 but the cars could not be any more different. The car comes with a 6 L W 12 engine that is exclusive to the brand, along with an interior to die for. Colloquially, it is known as the Bentley Jeep among Americans.

Buying Advice

With the 2017 Bentley Bentayga price chart already being very heavy when compared to the competition, we would recommend you stick with the base car because it itself is very well equipped. However, do take a look at the options list as well because there are quite a few irresistible features that can be added on. A purchase like this car is bound to be an emotional one and hence, one should miss out on the option to customize.

 

Comparative Analysis against Competition

The full-size SUV segment has some intense competition in the form of cars like the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, the Mercedes-AMG G 65, and the Land Rover Range Rover SV Autobiography. The car comes with all-wheel drive as standard as 2017 Bentley Bentayga horsepower figures are at 626 hp. Prices start at an MSRP of $231,825 which makes it very expensive but one cannot forget that it represents the best automotive technology available in the world right now.

Features
8.9/10

Although there are only two trims offered, Bentley gives you the option of personalizing the car beyond your wildest imagination. The 2017 Bentley Bentayga First Edition will be exclusive to this model year and comes with a nice set of traditions even compared to the thoroughly well-equipped standard car. Also available is the Mulliner specification which brings you 22-inch wheels, 90 exterior paint options, six optional packages, and so on. The sky is the limit for people looking at the options list but the prices are also bound to shoot through the roof as you go on ticking options.

Trim

Base

First Edition

MSRP

$231,825

$300,125

Key Features

20” inch alloy wheels

Adds replaces to the Base trim

 

Power tilt/ telescopic steering Column

unique interior stitching on diamond quilting

 

Four-zone climate control

First edition branding 

 

8” Infotainment System with navigation

Active Ride Control

 

Full LED adaptive headlamps with High beam assist.

Bentley Dynamic Ride

 

Eliade headlining

20-speaker Niam for Bentley audio system

 

Audio System with 10 speakers

Front seat comfort specification

 We Recommend

With the 2017 Bentley Bentayga price chart already being very heavy when compared to the competition, we would recommend you stick with the base car because it itself is very well equipped. However, do take a look at the options list as well because there are quite a few irresistible features that can be added on. A purchase like this car is bound to be an emotional one and hence, one should miss out on the option to customize.

Fuel Economy
6.1/10

The question of fuel efficiency is not something that bothers owners of this category and environmentally conscious people aren’t exactly shopping for them either. The 2017 Bentley Bentayga W 12 pretty much understands this and it will not deliver much on the fuel efficiency front as well. The fuel tank size is also generous measuring 22.5 gallons. According to the EPA, this car can return 12 MPG in the city, 19 MPG on the highway, and 15 MPG combined, making it quite thirsty. But given the massive fuel tank size, you can go up to 427 miles on a single tank which should really help people who love to take long journeys.

Model

2017 Bentley Bentayga

2017 Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged SV Autobiography

2017 Mercedes-AMG G 65

2017 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S

MPG (city)

12

14

11

14

MPG (highway)

19

19

13

21

MPG (combined)

15

16

12

17

Tank Capacity(gal)

22.5 gal

27.7 gal

25.4 gal

26.4 gal

Range(City/Highway/Combined)

270/427/337

388/526/443

279/330/305

370/554/449

While the Porsche has excelled in many aspects, it surprises us with the fuel efficiency figures as well. However, it is the Land Rover Range Rover that comes with some of the best range numbers because of its massive fuel tank size. We’re not going to mention the Mercedes because it has the worst fuel efficiency figures and drinks so much fuel even out on the Highway.

Interior
9.0/10

Another strong point of this car has been its interior quality as well as design. It truly is top-notch even in the category. When we talk about the price of the car, this is where it begins to pay off. You will find only the best leather used for the upholstery, along with three engine metal and wood trim giving you endless choice according to your taste. Seating capacity can also be changed from 5 to 4 which brings you 18-way power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated seats along with massage programs for every passenger. The ergonomics of this cabin are spot on and users will never feel uncomfortable.

Some of the options here are extremely expensive like the Mulliner tourbillion mechanical clock by Breitling which almost costs as much as the car. We also find diamond-quilted leather, embroidered seats, custom stitching, ambient lighting, and so on in the First Edition cars. The car also gives you excellent legroom in every row but the cargo capacity is a bit on the lower side with just 17.1 ft.³. There are plenty of cubbyholes and bottle holders in the cabin as well.

Model

2017 Bentley Bentayga

2017 Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged SV Autobiography

2017 Mercedes-AMG G 65

2017 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S

Passenger capacity

5

5

5

5

Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)

40.3/NA/41.7

39.5/60.7/42.2

42.4/46.3/52.5

39.6/58.9/40.6

Rear (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)

38.0/NA/40.9

39.1/59.5/37

40.1/56.3/41.9

39.0/57.0/36.0

Behind 2nd Row (ft.3)

17.1

24.5

38.6

23.7

Behind 1st Row (ft.3)

62.6

68.6

79.5

60.2

The space allocation inside the cabin is not quite as important as the luxury offered in the Bentley and you will find that although the Mercedes has the most cargo area and legroom, the Bentley presents a more well-rounded option. Its cargo area does increase by a lot when you fold down the second-row seats and make way for 62.6 ft.³. This wouldn’t be completely utilized considering owners aren’t exactly here hauling cargo.

Some standout interior features of the 2017 Bentley Bentayga include:

  • Heated and power-adjustable front seats
  • Nappa leather upholstery on seats and steering wheel
  • Driver and passenger seat memory
  • Panoramic Sunroof
  • Quad zone automatic climate Control

How intuitive is the 2017 Bentley Bentayga’s infotainment system?

The Bentley borrows the best technology available from the Audi group. It gives you features like a Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless Apple CarPlay as well as Android Auto capability. The digital gauge cluster also provides you with navigation, media, phone controls, a trip computer, gauges, and so on. The sound systems are excellent but you get several upgrades in that area. You can opt for Bentley Signature Audio or Naim high fidelity audio, both completely immersive experiences on their own.

Listed below are some other standout features available with the Bentley Bentayga:

  • Digital driver display
  • Touchscreen infotainment system
  • Android Auto and Apple Carplay
  • Bluetooth and 4G LTE WiFi
  • Satellite and HD radio
  • Media USB Input
  • Auxiliary Audio Input

Exterior
9.0/10

Designing an SUV for the first time, it is bound to be ground-breaking, coming from Bentley. Although as large as a country mansion, this car does feel distinctively Bentley in the details that have been bestowed on it by the brand. The car comes with excellent color options and incredible paint finishes as well, with all the wheels looking massive. We would opt for the 20-inch wheels because the ride quality drops down by a bit when you go up to 22 inches.

The ground clearance is good at 8.0 inches and the car can make it through most everyday situations with ease. Although it is not an off-roader by any means, it does not have many of the issues that the sedan counterparts have which makes it much more practical. The exterior dimensions make it slightly larger than the rivals in the car is quite heavy at 5269 lbs.

Model

2017 Bentley Bentayga

2017 Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged SV Autobiography

2017 Mercedes-AMG G 65

2017 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S

Curb weight (lbs.)

5269

5505

5691

4927

Length(in)

202.4

196.8

187.5

191.1

Width(in)

78.7

81.6

76.3

78.7

Height(in)

68.6

73.3

76.3

67

Ground clearance (in)

8.0

8.7

7.7

7.6

Wheelbase (in)

117.9

115.0

112.2

114.0

The Bentley Bentayga is the longest car in the segment in terms of both, wheelbase and overall length. The Mercedes-AMG G 65 is the heaviest in the segment and is also the tallest. Surprisingly, it is the Range Rover that is the widest as well as the one with the greatest ground clearance. There does not exist a lot of debate in comparison of external dimensions because each car has a separate audience that thoroughly enjoys it.

Some of the standout exterior features include:

  • Heated side-view mirrors
  • Rear spoiler
  • Body-colored door handles and side-view mirrors
  • Panoramic Sunroof
  • LED Daytime Running Light
  • Rain Sensing Wipers
  • Galvanized steel panels
  • Power liftgate with power door lock

Safety

Offerings from brands such as Bentley has never been under the question regarding safety because they have always kept up a standard that does not filter down to cheaper brands. However, they are not crash-tested like regular cars and hence you would not find a safety rating from either the NHTSA or the IIHS. But taking a look at the safety features of this car gives you an idea about what you can expect.

Some of the standout safety features available with the 2017 Bentley Bentayga include

  • Forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
  • Blind-spot monitoring
  • Lane-departure warning
  • Driver Attention Warning
  • Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Hill Start Assist

Competition

2017 Bentley Bentayga vs 2017 Mercedes-AMG G 65

The Bentley is the benchmark in several aspects including straight-line performance, interior design, and so on. But the appeal of the Mercedes-AMG G 65 is that this car does not need an introduction for striking a balance between luxury and off-road performance. Certainly, you will not be able to fill the niche the Mercedes offers. It is also the closest one in terms of price.

2017 Bentley Bentayga vs 2017 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S

The Porsche Cayenne Turbo S is one of the most unique offerings in the segment. It has sportscar-like driving abilities that take you by surprise. In terms of interior quality, the Porsche feels a lot less expensive but one cannot complain because its price tag is a lot less expensive as well. We feel these cars appeal to very different kinds of people and are great in their own respects.

2017 Bentley Bentayga vs 2017 Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged SV Autobiography

The Land Rover Range Rover SV Autobiography has been the segment leader for several years now and with good reason. It was always the full-size SUV that buyers would go to when they wanted a lot of luxury appeal. However, next to the Bentley, even the most expensive Land Rovers are not exactly comparable. Then again, you will have no off-road capabilities in the Bentayga.

Final Verdict

The Bentley Bentayga has completely succeeded in staying true to the roots of the brand while introducing a new kind of practicality through an SUV platform. It does not have much correlation to the car it is based on and feels very unique. It looks quite dramatic, has powertrains that are refined and powerful, offers some of the most exquisite interiors we have seen in this category and overall, makes for a great buy.

Trims

    Base
    $229,100 onwards
    • AM/FM/HD/Satellite
    • Driver Lumbar support
    • Dual Zone Front Automatic Air Conditioning
    • Navigation system
    • Parking assist
    • Rain Sensing Windshield wipers
    First Edition
    $297,400 onwards
    • Engine: 6.0L AWD 8AM
    • Horsepower: 600 hp @ 5000 rpm hp
    • Torque: 664 lb.-ft. @ 1350 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 3.6 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 15 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$229,100- $297,400

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

8.4

Horsepower

600 hp @ 5000 rpm

Torque

664 lb.-ft. @ 1350 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$41,800- $62,500

Gasoline

7.59

240 hp @ 5500 rpm

250 lb.-ft. @ 1750 rpm

5

Read Review

$72,000- $83,000

Gasoline

6.95

345 hp @ 5750 rpm

369 lb.-ft. @ 1750 rpm

5

Read Review

$67,150

Gasoline

8.3

385 hp @ 5500 rpm

384 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm

5

Read Review

$101,690

Gasoline

8.37

550 hp @ 5250 rpm

516 lb.-ft. @ 1750 rpm

5

Read Review

$110,650

Gasoline

7.2

577 hp @ 5500 rpm

561 lb.-ft. @ 1750 rpm

5

Read Review

$220,400

Gasoline

7.49

621 hp @ 4800 rpm

738 lb.-ft. @ 2300 rpm

5

Read Review

$108,840

Gasoline

6.88

577 hp @ 5500 rpm

561 lb.-ft. @ 1750 rpm

5

Read Review

$69,650

Gasoline

8.07

385 hp @ 5500 rpm

384 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm

5

Read Review

2017 Bentley Bentayga vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    3.5 sec12.0 sec-
    3.4 sec-112 mph
    4.49 sec--
    4.49 sec--
    4.64 sec--
    5.3 sec-155 mph

    2017 Bentley Bentayga vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      12 mpg19 mpg15 mpg22.5 gal.270/427.5 mi.
      21 mpg29 mpg24 mpg18.5 gal.388.5/536.5 mi.
      17 mpg23 mpg20 mpg24.6 gal.408/552 mi.
      17 mpg23 mpg20 mpg24.6 gal.418.2/565.8 mi.
      14 mpg20 mpg16 mpg21.1 gal.295.4/422 mi.
      13 mpg17 mpg15 mpg24.6 gal.319.8/418.2 mi.

      2017 Bentley Bentayga vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        202.4 in.78.7 in.68.6 in.9.7 in.117.9 in.
        197 in.77.5 in.66.1 in.10 in.118.3 in.

        2017 BMW X6 M

        Ranked #3

        193.3 in.78.3 in.66.5 in.8.1 in.115.5 in.
        192.6 in.78.9 in.67.7 in.7 in.114.8 in.
        192.6 in.78.9 in.67.7 in.6 in.114.8 in.

        2017 BMW X5 M

        Ranked #5

        192.1 in.75 in.69.1 in.8.1 in.115.5 in.

        2017 Bentley Bentayga vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          17.1 cu.ft.125.3 cu.ft.57.5 cu.ft.
          38.2 cu.ft.-80.3 cu.ft.
          38.2 cu.ft.-80.3 cu.ft.
          38.2 cu.ft.-80.3 cu.ft.
          38.6 cu.ft.-79.5 cu.ft.
          23 cu.ft.-60.7 cu.ft.

          2017 Bentley Bentayga vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            57.5 cu.ft.17.1 cu.ft.57.5 cu.ft.67 ft.
            80.3 cu.ft.38.2 cu.ft.80.3 cu.ft.-
            80.3 cu.ft.38.2 cu.ft.80.3 cu.ft.-
            80.3 cu.ft.38.2 cu.ft.80.3 cu.ft.-
            60.7 cu.ft.23 cu.ft.60.7 cu.ft.-
            -19.4 cu.ft.19.4 cu.ft.-

            2017 Bentley Bentayga vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              7716 lbs.1786 lbs.5379 lbs.
              7200 lbs.1455 lbs.4960 lbs.
              7200 lbs.1543 lbs.5379 lbs.
              7200 lbs.1650 lbs.4987 lbs.
              7198 lbs.1486 lbs.5203 lbs.
              7198 lbs.1486 lbs.5225 lbs.

              2017 Bentley Bentayga SUV Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              2

              Recalls

              0

              Investigations

              9

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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              MPG Combined : 15 mpg

              0-60 : 3.5 sec

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              MPG Combined : 14 mpg

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              Horsepower : 500 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 17 mpg

              0-60 : 4.9 sec

              #3

              2017 Bentley Continental GT

              Horsepower : 500 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 19 mpg

              0-60 : 4.3 sec

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