Before the Bentayga, skeptics wondered if Bentley could pull off an SUV. The idea of a grocery-getting, off-road-capable vehicle seemed a far cry from the ultra-luxury image of the British marque. Yet when it arrived, the Bentayga silenced the doubters. The plush midsize SUV sold in surprising numbers, quickly becoming Bentley’s bestseller and setting off a scramble among rivals to copy the formula.
- Base Trim Engine
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4L V-8 ICE
- Base Trim Transmission
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ZF 8-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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All-Wheel Drive
The Bentayga brought with it all the hallmarks of Bentley craftsmanship: sumptuous leather, meticulously finished wood, and a ride that both coddled and exhilarated. Its twin-turbocharged W12 – and later available twin-turbo V6 plug-in hybrid and twin-turbo V8 – offered mind-bending thrust without ever feeling uncouth. And now, some of those early examples can be had for a fraction of their original $230,000 sticker. We’re talking less than the price of a new Ford Expedition or Toyota Sequoia.
Pricing was accurate at the time of writing and is subject to change.
Bentley Bentayga: The Plutocrat’s Family Hauler
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Engine |
Twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 plug-in hybrid |
Twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 |
Twin-turbo 6.0-liter W12 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Transmission |
8-speed automatic |
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|
Drivetrain |
All-wheel drive |
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|
Power |
456 hp |
641 hp* |
626 hp* |
|
Torque |
516 lb-ft |
627 lb-ft* |
664 lb-ft* |
|
0-60 mph |
5.1 seconds |
3.6 seconds* |
3.8 seconds* |
|
Top Speed |
158 mph |
193 mph* |
190 mph* |
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*Represents powertrain’s maximum available performance |
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The Bentayga first arrived for the 2016 model year, a time when ultra-luxury SUVs were still a rare commodity. That meant Bentley couldn’t treat it like a novelty. The Bentayga had to prove itself as a legitimate extension of the brand or risk being dismissed as nothing more than an opportunistic cash grab riding the SUV boom. The risk was real, given that its basic underpinnings were borrowed from fellow Volkswagen Group SUVs, namely the Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne, and Volkswagen Touareg.
Designers made sure the Bentayga could be recognized as a Bentley at a glance, from the imposing mesh grille to the signature LED headlamps. Prominent Flying B emblems grace the fender vents, while the tail lamps feature B-shaped LED motifs. Inside, the cabin is a symphony of chrome, wood, and leather. Options can push it to the extreme, including a dash-mounted Breitling timepiece adorned with gold and diamonds. At 202 inches long, the Bentayga is among the largest vehicles in the midsize SUV segment. Third-row seating is an option, and Bentley even made a stretched-wheelbase variant available for a time.
Engineers also had to ensure the Bentayga delivered the performance expected of a Bentley, and they succeeded. At launch, it was the fastest SUV on the market, powered by Bentley’s most potent engine at the time: a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter W12 rated at 600 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. The Bentayga could sprint from 0–60 mph in about four seconds and reach a top speed of 187 mph. Both faster and slower variants arrived later, and pretty much all of them are a joy to drive.
The addition of the slower variants also helped bring the entry price down. A 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 paired with a single electric motor in a plug-in hybrid configuration debuted for the 2020 model year, dropping the starting price to about $160,000. A twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 was introduced for 2018 and became the top engine option starting with the 2024 model year after the W12 was phased out. If you’re looking for an electric option, you’ll have to wait until Bentley’s new fully electric SUV debuts later this year. It will be a smaller, urban-oriented SUV with about 400 miles of range.
When it comes to off-road capability, the Bentayga features adaptive air suspension, driver-selectable modes that adjust ride, steering, and transmission feel, plus standard all-wheel drive and hill descent control. The gauges display off-road data such as altitude and vehicle pitch, and at a campsite the tailgate can reveal flip-out bench seats. An optional off-road package adds underbody protection and additional drive modes tailored for rough terrain, making the Bentayga surprisingly capable away from pavement.
How Much To Pay Today
While a quick search on popular classifieds shows Bentaygas listed from as low as $45,000, such examples typically have mileage well over 100,000 miles. At around $55,000 to $60,000, you can find many for sale with roughly 50,000 miles, and there are even a few listed under 40,000 miles for about $62,000. By comparison, a new Ford Expedition starts at $62,400 and a new Toyota Sequoia at $64,995 – and that’s before you add destination and taxes. The full-size SUV duo offer more space than the Bentayga, but skip the luxury and badge-cred of the Bentley.
Most of these bargain Bentaygas are early examples from the 2016 and 2017 model years, meaning the new car warranty is long gone. They are also mostly the W12 models. If you’re looking for a Bentayga with the V8, used prices start just above $80,000. Hybrid models are relatively rare, and those available tend to have very low mileage and correspondingly high price tags. Pricing for used hybrids generally begins just above $80,000, but most examples are still listed for over $100,000.
A mid-cycle facelift arrived for the 2021 model year, so earlier models generally carry a discount. The update included revised lighting, a more upright grille, new seats, and upgraded infotainment technology. A second, smaller refresh came for the 2024 model year, featuring minor tweaks to the grille, new equipment, and the addition of rear-wheel steering. Used listings for post-facelift models typically start around $130,000.
Things To Watch Out For
Independent information on the reliability of the Bentley Bentayga is hard to come by given the rarity of the vehicle, though Kelley Blue Book has some data from owners which rate the SUV as having better than average reliability. Nevertheless, there are still some key pitfalls worth knowing before buying a used example.
One of the reasons the most affordable examples you’ll see on the market all have the W12 engine is simply that it was the only powerplant available when the model launched. However, the W12, while robust, is also rare and largely unique to Bentley, meaning parts and specialized servicing tend to be more difficult and expensive than for the later V8 or V6 hybrid options, which share more in common with higher‑volume Volkswagen Group models.
Bentaygas from the early years are also known for electrical and suspension issues that are more common as the vehicles age. The air suspension can be prone to leaks or uneven ride heights, and the Bentayga’s infotainment and driver‑assist systems have been reported to suffer glitches – things you’ll want to check thoroughly before buying. A pre‑purchase inspection is essential and buyers should budget accordingly, as even routine service items and minor mechanical issues can carry a high price tag. For added peace of mind, consider a Bentley Certified Pre-Owned vehicle, which comes with a 12‑month warranty and the option to extend coverage.
The Deal’s Big, But So Are The Bills
There’s no question the Bentayga delivers the full Bentley experience, even at used car prices that undercut mainstream family haulers. The cabin craftsmanship, effortless speed, and badge appeal still feel special years later, and few SUVs blend luxury and performance this convincingly. But cheap Bentaygas aren’t necessarily affordable Bentaygas. If your budget is already stretched just to get into one, the cost of maintenance, repairs, and ownership surprises can quickly turn the dream into a financial headache.
Sources: Bentley, AutoTempest, Kelley Blue Book