Review Of The Bentley Bentayga Diesel Estate
A diesel Bentley?! We must be having a giraffe! Nope: The new Bentley Bentayga Diesel Estate is an exceptional car for people with exceptional (and cleaner) tastes. There’s literally no car like it on the road at the moment. It’s fast, powerful and beautifully put together.
And, yes, for the first time ever, a Bentley has finally got a diesel engine. Of course, Bentley couldn’t do things by halves and decided to make the Bentayga the quickest diesel SUV on the planet.
As far as SUVs go, £135,800 will seem a bit steep, but it’s worth bearing in mind that this is a luxurious, king-size SUV that’s 100% unique. If you can afford it, it’s well worth a look.
OSV takes a closer look at what it’s all about with our 2018 Bentley Bentayga Diesel Estate review.JTNDY2VudGVyJTNFJTNDaWZyYW1lJTIwd2lkdGglM0QlMjI1NjAlMjIlMjBoZWlnaHQlM0QlMjIzMTUlMjIlMjBzcmMlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy55b3V0dWJlLmNvbSUyRmVtYmVkJTJGS3VwZFhDSUtsS2clMjIlMjBmcmFtZWJvcmRlciUzRCUyMjAlMjIlMjBhbGxvdyUzRCUyMmF1dG9wbGF5JTNCJTIwZW5jcnlwdGVkLW1lZGlhJTIyJTIwYWxsb3dmdWxsc2NyZWVuJTNFJTNDJTJGaWZyYW1lJTNFJTNDJTJGY2VudGVyJTNF
On The Road
Make no mistake, this is a car of epic proportions. Big in every way, it looks like it wouldn’t be very enjoyable to drive – but it is. It cruises effortlessly on longer journeys, makes little noise, and will send your passengers’ heart rates soaring when you put your foot down.
There’s no doubt about the car’s crushing performance, which we’ll get onto in a moment. But what surprised us most is how agile it is. It’s entertaining on winding country roads, leans very little and can boast precise steering. As you make progress, it even begins to shrink around you and does a good job of hiding its considerable weight.[vc_single_image image=”67621″ img_size=”article-image”]
In this way, it stands out from the Range Rover, another hulking SUV that always feels like a hulking SUV on the road. Instead, the Bentley is more comparable with a real driver’s car, such as the Porsche Cayenne.
Brake hard, however, and you will feel its weight.
There are four driving modes to choose from, with Comfort offering the softest suspension setup. At the other end of the spectrum is the Sport mode that will stiffen things up for a racier experience. The Bentayga also comes with a system that allows you to tweak its settings so that it’s a capable off-roader.
On poor surfaces, the Bentley copes admirably, but there’ll be some broken roads that will cause it to kick up a fuss.
In terms of its engines, a Bentley has finally been fitted with a diesel engine. The unit in question is a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 that also comes with an electric supercharger for additional oomph at lower revs.
If you were worried that a diesel engine wouldn’t be up to the job of powering a large Bentley, think again. It can do 0-62 in 4.8 seconds and feels even faster. It overtakes rapidly when you need it to and has a top speed of 168mph. And perhaps the best thing is that it’s remarkably quiet.
Bentley Bentayga Diesel Estate Interior, Design & Build
[vc_single_image image=”67620″ img_size=”article-image”]Inside, the Bentley feels every bit as special as you would expect. Metal, wood and leather are used unsparingly, the seats are adjustable in 22 ways and insulation is excellent. It’s as luxurious and comfortable as they come. It’s a king-sized SUV for kings and queens.
That said, ride quality will be a bit suspect at times. The smallest wheels are 21”, while the bigger ones are 22”. That doesn’t exactly bode well for rougher surfaces and you might experience one or two judders here and there.
The dashboard is state of the art stuff, with Bentley sparing no expenses on the quality of the materials and the fit and finish. We love the hand-matched wood veneers in particular, but the truth is that there’s so much to love about this cabin, from the analogue clock to the modern 8” touchscreen.
If you’ve ever driven an Audi Q7, you’ll notice a few familiar switches, such as the steering wheel controls. This is a tad odd as the Audi is priced so much lower. Worse still, the infotainment system is actually older than the one in the Q7. Hmm.
Is the Bentley Bentayga Diesel Estate practical? It does okay on this front, even if its 430-litre boot should be a lot bigger. Sticking to the five-seater version means you get split-folding rear seats, but the fifth seat will hardly be used as the Bentayga is at its best when accommodating just four adults.
Moreover, specifying four seats means those in the rear benefit from 18-way adjustable, heated and massaging seats.
Storage spaces are dotted around the place, but we’d argue that the Bentley should be ignored if practicality tops your list of priorities.
Equipment & Safety Of The Bentley Bentayga Diesel Estate
Standard kit is generous (it had to be when you consider the price) and includes a wi-fi hotspot, sat-nav, soft-close doors, LED headlights, a panoramic sunroof, a power-operated hands-free boot lid and leather upholstery.
In terms of how safe it is, the Bentayga hasn’t been crash tested by Euro NCAP and probably won’t ever be. It’s based on the Audi Q7, though, which scored all five stars. Meanwhile, its safety systems include predictive cruise control and rear cross traffic alert, while self-parking systems and a 360-degree camera are optional.
Costs Of The Bentley Bentayga Diesel Estate
Prices for the new car start out from £135,800. For more information on our leasing deals, check out our page here.
In terms of its running costs, the diesel engine is the most frugal and it costs less than a Lamborghini to run. Bentley reckon you can return as much as 36mpg, and since CarBuyer claim to have returned exactly that, the figure might not be as optimistic as it sounds.
Emissions, meanwhile, stand at 210g/km of CO2 for the diesel engine, which makes it a lot cleaner than the W12 petrol model. However, the diesel shares its 37% BiK rating with the petrol and sits in insurance group 50.
Pros and Cons Of The Bentley Bentayga Diesel Estate
Pros:
It’s The Fastest Car of its Type On The Planet
No other diesel SUV can go as fast as this Bentley, which has a 0-62 time of just 4.8 seconds.
Cheaper Than The Petrol Version
It’s cheaper, a lot cleaner, and can return as much as 36mpg.
It Scrapes 600 Miles Per Tank
This is a huge selling point.
Cons:
Dated Infotainment System
If we’re nitpicking, it seems strange that the Bentley shares some of its controls with the far less expensive Audi Q7, but what might irk some buyers is that the infotainment system here is older than the one in the Q7.
Expensive Optional Extras
The hamper set costs more than a Ford Focus (£21,000).
Bentley Bentayga Diesel Estate vs Mercedes G Class AMG Station Wagon vs Range Rover Autobiography TDV8
Let’s see how the car fares against its rivals in the comparison section of our 2018 Bentley Bentayga Diesel Estate review.
Bentley Bentayga Diesel Estate vs Mercedes G Class AMG Station Wagon
The new Mercedes G Class AMG Station Wagon is a bit hit and miss. Off-road, it’s unbeatable. On the road, however, there are question marks.
One of the biggest things that count against its on-the-road prowess (or lack of it) is that its structure is really old. The car has been around since the late seventies and not too much has changed in that time. The steering is still too unresponsive, there’s still too much body lean in bends, and the ride bounces too much.
Off-road, it’s a totally different story and you can take the G Class AMG anywhere you want. It’s got your back.[vc_single_image image=”67619″ img_size=”article-image”]
This AMG variant is powered by a crushing 5.4-litre V8 petrol engine that doesn’t offer the same kind of everyday performance as the standard diesel model – but boy is it powerful. It develops 571bhp, can get you from rest to 62mph in 5.4 seconds and always has a lot of power in reserve.
Running costs, of course, will take a tanking, and the Mercedes returns 24.8mpg economy while emitting 322g/km of CO2. This means it’ll cost you £450 a year in tax for the first 5 years.
Inside, there are things to like and things to dislike. The leather trim is gorgeous and build quality is second to none. But comfort isn’t great thanks to its dated suspension and chassis setup, while insulation is poor because the wing mirrors are just too big.
Is the Mercedes G Class AMG Station Wagon practical? It gets a massive boot (though exact volume figures haven’t been released) but the boot door is a bit awkward as it opens outwards.
The rear seats are spacious and we can’t see passengers having any complaints back there. If you want, you can pay extra to have them heated.
The biggest issue – which all large SUVs struggle with – is that the G Class is so large that it’s going to be hard to drive on British roads.
Price:
Bentley – £135,800 +
Mercedes – £154,245
Porsche Panamera Saloon vs Audi A8 Diesel Saloon
The new Range Rover Autobiography TDV8 is the most expensive model in the Range Rover line-up. It’s comfortable, luxurious and mighty.
As it’s the most expensive model in the range, the Autobiography variant gets the range-topping engine. This is a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine that develops 543bhp, makes a glorious roar and it can get you from a standstill to 62mph in a matter of 5.1 seconds.
For a car that weighs 2.3-tonnes, that’s impressive, and it’s the same engine that powers the sportier Range Rover Sport SVR.[vc_single_image image=”67618″ img_size=”article-image”]
That said, Range Rover let you fit less powerful supercharged 3.0-litre V8 engine to your Autobiography model if you wish. It’s a bit slower and takes 7.1 seconds to complete the 0-62 dash.
However you power the Autobiography model, it’s fantastic to drive. Sure, you’re aware of just how heavy the car is, but it benefits from modified steering and suspension to deliver a world-class driving experience.
Running costs? This is the scary bit, and the gigantic 5.0-litre V8 petrol is pegged at a 22.1mpg economy. This is the official number only and in real-world conditions, you might find yourself returning 15mpg at best.
Inside, the Range Rover is more than a match for the Bentley in the luxury stakes. Its interior is rich in quality, insulation is excellent, and while the controls look elegant enough, the brand has made them big enough so that you can operate them with your gloves on.
Despite getting such a beastly engine, the Autobiography model is just as quiet and comfortable as the rest of the range, while Land Rover has halved the number of buttons on the dash. It looks a lot neater.
Is the Range Rover Autobiography TDV8 practical? It was never in doubt, but just in case you were wondering, a 909-litre boot should dispel any doubts! Want even more space? Fold the rear seats and you can extend it to 2,030-litres.
Apart from that, this is one of the biggest cars on the road right now. That will make it hard to park but there’s plenty of room inside for four adults, we love the big seats up front, while a long wheelbase model takes interior space to new levels.
Storage space also impresses, and the Range Rover Autobiography TDV8 gets two glove boxes.
Price:
Range Rover – £141,580
Verdict Of Our 2018 Bentley Bentayga Diesel Estate Review
This car is a bit of a marvel. It can do 0-62 in less than 5.0 seconds, weighs two and a half tonnes and yet returns 36mpg economy. It sounds too good to be true – but it isn’t.
A king-sized oil-burner, it can also do 600 miles per tank, which compares very favourably to the W12 petrol engine, which can do 350 miles at best. And that could be the number one thing that persuades you to invest in a Bentley Bentayga Diesel Estate[vc_row content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1464089844166{margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1494257310211{margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;border-bottom-width: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”]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
Fancy the Bentley Bentayga Diesel Estate? Request a call back from one of our Vehicle Experts
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