2022 Bentley Bentayga Review: Passion, Prestige, Practicality

When it comes to the upper-most echelons of luxury and prestige, only a choice few brands have what it takes to compete. In the ultra-luxury SUV class, the Bentley Bentayga is among even more exclusive company, rubbing shoulders with the likes of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan and the Aston Martin DBX. Even Lamborghini and Ferrari want in on the SUV action, and with acres of plush materials, space, and tech, competition is fierce.

The Bentayga lineup moves with effortless grace thanks to a pair of twin-turbo engines, a 542-horsepower V8 or a 626-hp W12, and there's a V6 plug-in hybrid option if you want to ease some of the guilt of all that conspicuous fuel consumption. It can be further customized as a 4-, 5-, or 7-seater, though the amount of tech on offer is always superb. This is par for the course, for the segment, and while it may have been among the first of its kind, the Bentayga now has to do something special to stand out.

2022 Bentayga Exterior

Dimensions

2022 Bentayga Performance

2022 Bentley Bentayga Handling and Driving Impressions

The 2022 Bentayga never wants for power, with even the base 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 developing 542 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque. This allows for a quick 4.4-second sprint from 0-60 mph. But, if that still isn't spicy enough for you, then the 6.0L W12 in the Speed puts out 626 hp and 664 lb-ft, cutting 0.6 seconds off that time. The smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission helps to make the driving experience as engaging as possible while still being mostly effortless. The Bentley Bentayga hybrid may not seem as impressive with just 443 hp and sprint time just over five seconds, but calling it boring would be a mistake.

Every model handles remarkably well for its size, accelerating quickly once you apply the throttle hard enough. The steering is light and responsive, making it easy to maneuver, whether around town or on the highway. However, despite the SUV's sporty inclinations, the lack of any real feedback from the steering is disappointing. The suspension is just so darn capable, almost completely negating body roll, that a bit more feeling would help it come closer to the feeling found in the Urus or Porsche Cayenne.

Speaking of the suspension, it gets power from the mild-hybrid system that is included even on the V8 or W12 models. This also adds a little extra thrust when launching. The highly adaptable Dynamic Ride suspension does a great job of soaking up bumps in the road. In fact, the Bentayga has one of the smoothest rides in the segment, falling short of only a select few like the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. However, the latter doesn't drive as well, so the Bentley feels like an excellent middle ground between its disparate rivals.

2022 Bentayga Interior

2022 Bentayga Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

Verdict: Is The 2022 Bentley Bentayga A Good SUV?

There is no such thing as a bad Bentley, but whether or not it is a good car for you will depend on more than just how many features it has or how much it costs. In each of these categories, it is in the top one percent. However, it lacks the practicality of more mainstream models that are willing to compromise in other areas to excel in one or two. Instead, the 2022 Bentley Bentayga is an accomplished all-rounder. It combines nigh-unrivaled luxury and comfort with a decent level of practicality and even some fun times behind the wheels. This is much a driver's car as it is a passenger's. There are rivals that lean more towards one side of the spectrum than the other, but for what it tries to do, the Bentayga succeeds. It's a true niche offering and has the price tag to match its peerless abilities. Of course, if you can afford one, you can probably afford several, so picking between the Bentley Bentayga, Lambo Urus, or Rolls Cullinan may be a moot point.