Bentley Bentayga

The 2025 Bentley Bentayga is expected to offer a range of powerful and refined powertrain options, consistent with the 2024 model, catering to various performance preferences. The core engine options include:

4.0-litre Twin-Turbo V8 Petrol: This engine produces approximately 550 PS of power and 770 Nm of torque. It is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and Bentley's permanent all-wheel-drive system. In real-life driving, the V8 delivers exhilarating performance, launching the Bentayga from 0 to 100 kmph in around 4.5 seconds. It offers a strong, linear power delivery and a satisfying V8 growl.

3.0-litre V6 Plug-in Hybrid: This powertrain combines a V6 petrol engine with an electric motor, offering a combined output of around 449 PS and 700 Nm of torque. It provides a silent, electric-only driving range (expected to be around 40-50 km) for urban commutes, significantly improving fuel efficiency.

6.0-litre Twin-Turbo W12 Petrol (Speed variant): This flagship engine, potentially offered in the Bentayga Speed, delivers around 635 PS of power and 900 Nm of torque, propelling the SUV from 0 to 100 kmph in approximately 3.9 seconds.

Fuel economy varies significantly by powertrain, with the V8 typically returning around 7-9 kmpl and the Hybrid offering much better figures when regularly charged. All engines provide effortless performance, ensuring smooth and rapid acceleration in any driving scenario.

Ride and Handling

The 2025 Bentley Bentayga is engineered to deliver a sophisticated balance of sublime ride comfort and dynamic handling, a hallmark of the brand. It features an advanced air suspension system with continuous damping control, allowing the driver to select various modes from Comfort to Sport. This system effectively isolates the cabin from road imperfections, providing an exceptionally smooth and composed ride, even over challenging Indian road surfaces. Optional Bentley Dynamic Ride, an active anti-roll system, uses electric motors to counteract body roll, ensuring remarkable stability and flatness through corners.

Handling is surprisingly agile and precise for a large luxury SUV. The steering is well-weighted and offers good feedback, making the Bentayga engaging to drive when desired. The all-wheel-drive system ensures immense grip and confident cornering. Panic or emergency braking performance is outstanding, thanks to powerful braking systems, providing strong and consistent stopping power. High-speed stability is impeccable, and the SUV feels utterly planted and secure, making long-distance travel effortless. The various driving modes allow the driver to tailor the vehicle's characteristics to their preference, from a plush cruiser to a more dynamic performer.

The interior of the 2025 Bentley Bentayga is a masterclass in handcrafted luxury, offering a cabin that is both opulent and technologically advanced. The design is a harmonious blend of traditional Bentley craftsmanship and modern digital interfaces. It features exquisite materials such as ethically sourced wood veneers, polished metal accents, and a vast selection of premium leather upholstery, including sustainable options. Diamond-quilted stitching and intricate detailing are hallmarks of its bespoke nature.

Seating is available in various configurations, including a four-seat layout with individual rear seats offering extensive electrical adjustment, heating, ventilation, and massage functions, providing unparalleled comfort for rear occupants. A five-seat and a seven-seat option are also available. Cargo space is generous, with a practical boot capacity that can be expanded. Fit and finish are impeccable, with every surface meticulously crafted. Features like multi-zone automatic climate control, extensive ambient lighting, a panoramic glass roof, and electric sun blinds create a serene and highly customisable environment. The cabin is exceptionally well-insulated, ensuring a quiet and refined experience.

Infotainment

The 2025 Bentley Bentayga features a sophisticated infotainment system that integrates seamlessly into its luxurious cabin. The central interface is a 10.9-inch high-resolution touchscreen display, providing intuitive control over navigation, media, and vehicle settings. This is complemented by a fully digital driver's display, offering customisable views for driving information and navigation. The system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ensuring seamless smartphone integration.

Rear passengers benefit from a removable 5-inch touchscreen remote, allowing them to control various comfort, entertainment, and navigation functions from the rear cabin. A top-tier Naim for Bentley audio system, with numerous high-fidelity speakers, delivers an unparalleled auditory experience. The system also includes integrated navigation with real-time traffic updates and a suite of connected services. Physical controls for essential functions are retained, providing a tactile and intuitive user experience alongside the digital interfaces. Over-the-air (OTA) updates ensure the software remains current.

The exterior design of the 2025 Bentley Bentayga exudes a powerful yet elegant presence, maintaining its iconic Bentley styling with subtle enhancements. The front fascia is dominated by the large, matrix-style grille, flanked by signature crystal-effect LED matrix headlamps that offer advanced illumination. The sculpted bonnet and prominent power lines convey a sense of strength and sophistication. The lower bumper features refined air intakes and chrome detailing, contributing to its luxurious appeal.

From the side, the Bentayga boasts a stately and muscular silhouette, accentuated by pronounced haunches and large, bespoke alloy wheels, typically ranging from 21 to 22 inches. The elegant chrome trim around the windows and the distinctive 'B' wing vents on the front fenders add to its premium aesthetic. The rear features elliptical LED taillights, seamlessly integrated into the bodywork, and large, oval exhaust finishers, underscoring its performance capabilities. Dimensions are expected to be similar to the 2024 model, approximately 5,125 mm in length, 1,998 mm in width (excluding mirrors), and 1,728 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,995 mm. A wide array of bespoke paint options, including dual-tone finishes, allows for extensive personalisation.

Safety in the 2025 Bentley Bentayga is paramount, integrating a robust passive safety structure with a comprehensive suite of advanced active safety and driver-assistance systems. While specific crash test ratings for the Bentayga are not typically published due to its bespoke nature and low production volume, it is built on a highly engineered platform shared with other luxury SUVs, ensuring exceptional occupant protection. The high-strength steel and aluminium construction provide a formidable safety cell.

Standard passive safety features include an extensive array of airbags (expected to be 8 or more, covering front, side, curtain, and knee areas), ABS with EBD, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), and Traction Control. A wide array of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) is expected to be standard, including Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Assist, Blind Spot Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, Night Vision, and a 360-degree camera system with parking assist. Predictive safety features and advanced braking systems further enhance occupant protection. These systems work in concert to provide an unparalleled level of safety and driver support across all driving conditions.

The 2025 Bentley Bentayga operates in the exclusive realm of ultra-luxury SUVs in India, where competition is limited to a select few formidable rivals. Its primary competitors include:

The Rolls-Royce Cullinan is perhaps its most direct rival, offering the absolute pinnacle of bespoke luxury and an unparalleled "magic carpet" ride experience. It often appeals to buyers who prioritise supreme comfort and exclusivity above all else, often being chauffeur-driven.

The Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS provides a compelling alternative, offering extraordinary luxury, advanced technology, and a powerful V8 mild-hybrid engine. It delivers a highly opulent experience, particularly for rear-seat passengers, at a slightly more accessible price point within the ultra-luxury segment.

The Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid (or its equivalent top-tier performance variant) can be considered by buyers who prioritise a more overtly sporty driving experience and cutting-edge hybrid technology within a luxury SUV package. While not as focused on bespoke luxury as the Bentayga, it offers exceptional dynamics.

The Bentley Bentayga differentiates itself with its unique blend of traditional British craftsmanship, dynamic driving capabilities (especially in V8 and W12 forms), and a highly customisable interior. Its diverse engine options, including a plug-in hybrid, cater to a broader range of preferences. For buyers seeking a powerful, exquisitely crafted, and versatile ultra-luxury SUV that can be both driven and chauffeured, the Bentayga stands out as a top choice.

The 2025 Bentley Bentayga continues its reign as a benchmark in the ultra-luxury SUV segment in India. It masterfully combines Bentley's rich heritage of handcrafted luxury with modern performance and advanced technology. Its opulent and customisable interior, powerful engine options (including a plug-in hybrid), and sophisticated chassis systems deliver a driving and passenger experience that is truly exceptional.

For the Indian buyer who demands uncompromising luxury, exhilarating performance, and a commanding presence in an SUV, the 2025 Bentley Bentayga is an outstanding choice. While its price point places it in an elite category, the value it offers in terms of bespoke craftsmanship, engineering prowess, and versatility is undeniable. It represents a top-tier option for those who seek the ultimate expression of automotive luxury and capability.