The world of ultra-luxury SUVs operates in a near-closed loop—led by the Vary Rover, Rolls-Royce Cullinan and Bentley Bentayga. With the up to date Bentayga Pace, Bentley has refined its flagship to a degree that rivals will discover onerous to match—even with out assistance from electrification.
There’s no denying the Bentley Bentayga is now not fresh-faced. Regardless of vital revisions, the luxurious crossover from Crewe has been on sale for greater than a decade. But it continues to supply an almost flawless mix of luxurious, on a regular basis usability, understatement and exclusivity—with out sacrificing driving dynamics. The most recent replace to the Pace model marks the top of the legendary W12 engine, changed by the acquainted 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. Not like its company cousins—the Lamborghini Urus SE and Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid—it does with out electrical help. So, whereas output has elevated modestly from 635 to 650PS, the utmost torque of 850Nm truly falls 50Nm wanting the charismatic W12 from the earlier technology. That this €270,000 V8-powered Pace hits 310km/h and sprints from 0–100km/h in 3.6 seconds—sooner than its 12-cylinder predecessor—will matter little to most patrons. It’s the symbolism of twelve cylinders that’s been misplaced, not just some tenths.
That stated, the driving expertise stays totally compelling. Even with out hybrid punch, the 5.14-metre Bentayga Pace delivers its efficiency with the breathtaking pressure Bentley is thought for. For a lot of, outright figures are secondary to the sheer presence of proudly owning the model’s high SUV—a presence made clear by 23-inch wheels, carbon detailing, and aggressive physique styling.
Past the efficiency, what really elevates the Bentayga is its skill to cocoon passengers in supreme consolation. The adaptive air suspension, rear-wheel steering, and rowdy sports activities exhaust add theatre, nevertheless it’s the hand-stitched leather-based seats with infinite adjustment, air flow and therapeutic massage that go away a long-lasting impression. If a desired materials or color mixture isn’t supplied, Bentley’s Mulliner division will make it occur.
Because of excellent noise isolation, long-distance consolation and considerable area—significantly within the long-wheelbase variant—the two.5-tonne Bentayga stays one of many best crossovers cash should buy. Its kerb weight, even with out hybrid methods or the W12, continues to be on par with plug-in rivals—however intelligent damping, energetic rear diffs and specialist rubber work onerous to masks it.
Homeowners are inclined to miss a barely outdated infotainment system, smaller-than-expected shows, and the rising strain from more energizing rivals out of Asia and the US. Bentley’s preliminary pledge to go absolutely electrical by 2030 has been quietly revised to 2035—a practical transfer in in the present day’s unstable market. However earlier than that, a brand new, absolutely electrical sibling to the Bentayga will arrive subsequent 12 months.
