New 2021 Bentley Bentayga vs Range Rover review - two luxurious SUVs tested - Autocar
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Date: 2022-04-17
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Comments and reviews: 10
Nigel
Last time I drove a Range Rover, the level of roll put me off pretty much for life. I'm sure they've improved things since then, but that would be my key concern if choosing between the two. I also don't like the way you feel so exposed to the outside world as you do in the Range Rover. So, for me, I think the Bentayga would be the way to go.
That said; this review suggests the ride is maybe compromised too much for all the other things the Bentayga does well. Why not buy a road car instead, as the reviewer suggests? Well, for a daily, maybe you want the easier access and command drive position. And, as a used proposition, you can get into a Bentayga significantly cheaper than the comparable modern Bentley road cars. The Bentayga, I think, is also less in your face and ostentatious than the other Bentleys.
The other three high end SUVs of note are the Aston, Urus. and Cayenne. The Urus is blingtastic and the sportiest. The Aston, I think, sits between the Bentayga and the Urus. It's the most bespoke and has some nice engineering touches that are on display as art, but for me, I don't like the way that Aston has abandoned its own engines. I also don't like how the Urus employs an Audi engine. Although, I fully acknowledge that both engines are tremendous in their own right. And, well, the Cayenne is unremarkable in this company, except that it's significantly cheaper than the rest, which maybe should bring it into contention if considering buying the others second-hand.
For me, the Aston remains in consideration, despite its AMG engine because of the bespoke engineering as art touches, but I would need to wait until its prices drop significantly on the used market.
I love the look of the Urus, but they are expensive, and have surprisingly become relatively common. And, if I were to consider image, I don't think they display an image I personally would want to project. It's okay when driving a supercar, but I'm not sure drawing so much attention is what most people want in a daily. Then again, the others are hardly shrinking violets.
So, for me personally, at this point in time, and from my perspective as a prospective used buyer, I think I'd be considering a Bentayga vs a new or used Cayenne.
Ultimately, for me, I like the idea of the W12 -- even though it's VW/Audi derived, the Bentley version is significantly different, and is anyway a special engine -- and on the used market Bentaygas start around the GBP80K mark, which, of couse, is still a lot of money.
If you want a bargain, I think a used Cayenne is often overlooked. You can get a pretty tastily spec'd second gen. Cayenne Turbo S for about GBP30K, which, relatively speaking, is a bargain.
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Last time I drove a Range Rover, the level of roll put me off pretty much for life. I'm sure they've improved things since then, but that would be my key concern if choosing between the two. I also don't like the way you feel so exposed to the outside world as you do in the Range Rover. So, for me, I think the Bentayga would be the way to go.
That said; this review suggests the ride is maybe compromised too much for all the other things the Bentayga does well. Why not buy a road car instead, as the reviewer suggests? Well, for a daily, maybe you want the easier access and command drive position. And, as a used proposition, you can get into a Bentayga significantly cheaper than the comparable modern Bentley road cars. The Bentayga, I think, is also less in your face and ostentatious than the other Bentleys.
The other three high end SUVs of note are the Aston, Urus. and Cayenne. The Urus is blingtastic and the sportiest. The Aston, I think, sits between the Bentayga and the Urus. It's the most bespoke and has some nice engineering touches that are on display as art, but for me, I don't like the way that Aston has abandoned its own engines. I also don't like how the Urus employs an Audi engine. Although, I fully acknowledge that both engines are tremendous in their own right. And, well, the Cayenne is unremarkable in this company, except that it's significantly cheaper than the rest, which maybe should bring it into contention if considering buying the others second-hand.
For me, the Aston remains in consideration, despite its AMG engine because of the bespoke engineering as art touches, but I would need to wait until its prices drop significantly on the used market.
I love the look of the Urus, but they are expensive, and have surprisingly become relatively common. And, if I were to consider image, I don't think they display an image I personally would want to project. It's okay when driving a supercar, but I'm not sure drawing so much attention is what most people want in a daily. Then again, the others are hardly shrinking violets.
So, for me personally, at this point in time, and from my perspective as a prospective used buyer, I think I'd be considering a Bentayga vs a new or used Cayenne.
Ultimately, for me, I like the idea of the W12 -- even though it's VW/Audi derived, the Bentley version is significantly different, and is anyway a special engine -- and on the used market Bentaygas start around the GBP80K mark, which, of couse, is still a lot of money.
If you want a bargain, I think a used Cayenne is often overlooked. You can get a pretty tastily spec'd second gen. Cayenne Turbo S for about GBP30K, which, relatively speaking, is a bargain.
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Nigel
Not sure I understand how the RR's low belt line is such a plus. I understand that many people like light and airy, and of course I understand the greater visibility it provides. But it also means that the poeple inside are more exposed to the outside world, more like being in a goldfish bowl. To me at least, I don't want to be so exposed to being looked at by other people. I want to feel a little bit more -cocooned- from the outside world. I also think the rolypolyness of the RR is problematic. It used to be really really bad. And obviously it's still present, albeit hopefully to a much lesser extent than the last time I drove a RR. That experience put me off driving a RR. Yes, I like the tailgate you can sit on, and I don't mind the looks. The interiors are okay, not my idea of great luxury, but they are comfortable. And of course, RRs have serious off-road cred, but as so often said, most owners idea of off-road is the carpark at the races.
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Not sure I understand how the RR's low belt line is such a plus. I understand that many people like light and airy, and of course I understand the greater visibility it provides. But it also means that the poeple inside are more exposed to the outside world, more like being in a goldfish bowl. To me at least, I don't want to be so exposed to being looked at by other people. I want to feel a little bit more -cocooned- from the outside world. I also think the rolypolyness of the RR is problematic. It used to be really really bad. And obviously it's still present, albeit hopefully to a much lesser extent than the last time I drove a RR. That experience put me off driving a RR. Yes, I like the tailgate you can sit on, and I don't mind the looks. The interiors are okay, not my idea of great luxury, but they are comfortable. And of course, RRs have serious off-road cred, but as so often said, most owners idea of off-road is the carpark at the races.
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Bill
Would personally choose the Range Rover of these two, but they-re both made to appeal to people I don-t think I-d like very much- opulent, showy, ostentatious, and ultimately vulgar. The Range Rover at least has some integrity in its design language, and as the reviewer mentions, all that design and production experience behind it. The Bentley is certainly an impressive achievement but remember it-s also a blend of Volkswagen/Porsche technology and engineering found in the Touareg and Cayenne. Bentley adds its voluptuous and sumptuous luxury touches, but good gawd, the bric-a-brac and tinsel are irritating as hell. The entire car is festooned with chrome tchotchkes, doodads and trinkets. It-s a festival of olde-worlds nods and genuflections. Donald Trump would choose the Bentley. I rest my case.
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Would personally choose the Range Rover of these two, but they-re both made to appeal to people I don-t think I-d like very much- opulent, showy, ostentatious, and ultimately vulgar. The Range Rover at least has some integrity in its design language, and as the reviewer mentions, all that design and production experience behind it. The Bentley is certainly an impressive achievement but remember it-s also a blend of Volkswagen/Porsche technology and engineering found in the Touareg and Cayenne. Bentley adds its voluptuous and sumptuous luxury touches, but good gawd, the bric-a-brac and tinsel are irritating as hell. The entire car is festooned with chrome tchotchkes, doodads and trinkets. It-s a festival of olde-worlds nods and genuflections. Donald Trump would choose the Bentley. I rest my case.
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Colin
The Range Rover is a 4x4 with road manners and useful luxury, the Bentley is a SUV with off road abilities that thinks its a sports car but is really a luxury barge in that department, if you REALLY NEED the luxury, then the Bentley may be your car but you may need to go to the Rolls Cullinan for that, that said, I think the Range Rover is still the one to beat off the beaten track and, if you look at the money, you can have a few for your Bentaga and a fleet of them for your Cullinan money.
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The Range Rover is a 4x4 with road manners and useful luxury, the Bentley is a SUV with off road abilities that thinks its a sports car but is really a luxury barge in that department, if you REALLY NEED the luxury, then the Bentley may be your car but you may need to go to the Rolls Cullinan for that, that said, I think the Range Rover is still the one to beat off the beaten track and, if you look at the money, you can have a few for your Bentaga and a fleet of them for your Cullinan money.
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Krane
Well you kinda missed the mark on that one. It Bentley did only one thing then it would be just another SUV. Instead, Bentley has the reputation of being the ultimate in sportiness and luxury, so it has to be the best at everything it does.
I'm just surprised that no reviewer has ever taken it rock climbing, although I can easily understand why. We know it can far out perform the Range Rover (RR) on the road, but how well would it perform doing what RR does best?
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Well you kinda missed the mark on that one. It Bentley did only one thing then it would be just another SUV. Instead, Bentley has the reputation of being the ultimate in sportiness and luxury, so it has to be the best at everything it does.
I'm just surprised that no reviewer has ever taken it rock climbing, although I can easily understand why. We know it can far out perform the Range Rover (RR) on the road, but how well would it perform doing what RR does best?
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Randal
Great review, with all the information on both vehicles, the best part of the review was at the end when you said if you want a 4wheeler to drive like a car it's the Bentley. if you want it to drive like a truck it's the range rover. You nailed it with that, they are 2 different kinds of suv, my self the off road capability of the range rover does it for me to, but if I never went off road it would be the Bentley,
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Great review, with all the information on both vehicles, the best part of the review was at the end when you said if you want a 4wheeler to drive like a car it's the Bentley. if you want it to drive like a truck it's the range rover. You nailed it with that, they are 2 different kinds of suv, my self the off road capability of the range rover does it for me to, but if I never went off road it would be the Bentley,
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Sang
I almost purchased Bentayga in 2 occasion but passed because of back seat armrest and its cup holder.
Of all things they had to place VW back seat armrest/cup holder to near $200k automobile. rubbish consideration to its customers.
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I almost purchased Bentayga in 2 occasion but passed because of back seat armrest and its cup holder.
Of all things they had to place VW back seat armrest/cup holder to near $200k automobile. rubbish consideration to its customers.
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TBS
Why not just buy a road car? Because in cities like NY no one wants to drive a road car stressing about every bump and pothole they encounter. This market for SUVs is replacing the market for road cars.
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Why not just buy a road car? Because in cities like NY no one wants to drive a road car stressing about every bump and pothole they encounter. This market for SUVs is replacing the market for road cars.
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Christopher
Well a little bit of offense but boy you do moan on it is all about your views not about the cars just listened to 2 of your reviews in a row. sort of says what to do in the future
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Well a little bit of offense but boy you do moan on it is all about your views not about the cars just listened to 2 of your reviews in a row. sort of says what to do in the future
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Sanchez
The trouble with normal cars is that the manufacturers reduce the boot size, fuel tank volume and headroom with every new model. You're pretty much forced to buy an SUV these days.
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The trouble with normal cars is that the manufacturers reduce the boot size, fuel tank volume and headroom with every new model. You're pretty much forced to buy an SUV these days.
reply
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