Bentley Bentayga 2025 Review: The luxury SUV segment has transformed dramatically over the past decade, but the Bentley Bentayga remains largely unfazed. First launched in 2015, this ultra-luxe SUV quickly became Bentley’s best-selling model, and despite the industry-wide pivot to electrification and new design paradigms, it continues to embody the brand’s commitment to traditional luxury and unmistakable presence.
With a major design overhaul for Bentley just around the corner — including its debut electric vehicle slated for 2026 — the Bentayga feels increasingly like a holdover from another era. But in typical Bentley fashion, it doesn’t particularly care. Instead, it doubles down on what it knows best: exquisite detail, powerful engines, and old-school grandeur.
Craftsmanship in the Details
From the quilted under-bonnet insulation to the illuminated CGI render of the car on the digital display — complete with working brake lights and indicators — the Bentayga’s attention to detail is peerless. Pressing the iconic ‘B’ badge to open the boot is just one of many signature touches designed to make every interaction feel special.
That sense of occasion is central to the Bentayga’s charm, drawing on Bentley’s Continental GT and Flying Spur playbook and transplanting it into a commanding SUV form factor.
Powertrains That Still Pack a Punch
With Bentley’s legendary W12 engine now retired, the Bentayga is available in three core configurations:
- V6 Plug-in Hybrid with 449bhp
- Twin-Turbo V8 with 542bhp and 568lb ft
- Bentayga Speed (V8) with 626bhp and 664lb ft
Despite the absence of the W12, the V8-powered Bentayga Speed delivers supercar-challenging performance, ensuring that the SUV remains as fast as it is luxurious. And for those more efficiency-minded, the plug-in hybrid offers a quieter, greener route — though still very much within the realm of six-figure opulence.
Also read: 2025 Toyota C-HR Review: Bold Looks, Plug-In Power — Is This the Most Stylish Hybrid Yet?
Model Tested: The Sporty Bentayga S
For this review, we sampled the Bentayga S, positioned near the mid-point of the range, albeit still priced at approximately £200,000. Bentley describes this version as offering “extra sporting agility,” and while that’s a relative claim for a 2.4-tonne SUV, there’s no denying its sharper dynamics.
With blacked-out trim, a beefy sports exhaust, and carbon fibre accents throughout the cabin, the S model plays up its performance persona. It doesn’t transform the Bentayga into a track weapon, but it does inject a welcome sense of urgency and flair, particularly when paired with the V8.
Still the Benchmark for Bespoke Luxury
From ultra-limited special editions to an extended-wheelbase version that stretches over 5.3 metres, the customisation potential of the Bentayga remains virtually limitless. Bentley continues to offer a bewildering array of colours, trims, and interior options, allowing owners to craft a truly personalised luxury experience.
Even as newer, more futuristic SUVs enter the market — from the electric Rolls-Royce Spectre to upcoming models from Aston Martin and Ferrari — the Bentayga holds firm in its traditionalist approach to craftsmanship, power, and presence.
Bentley Bentayga Verdict
The Bentley Bentayga may be approaching the end of its generation, but it’s far from irrelevant. With sublime attention to detail, brutal performance, and an unwavering dedication to comfort, it still represents the ultimate in old-school luxury SUVs — a reminder that progress doesn’t always require reinvention.
As Bentley’s electric future looms, the Bentayga stands as a final flourish of combustion-powered excellence — and it wears that badge with pride.
