Bentley Bentayga: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Bentley Bentayga choice comes down to priorities. Among the listed versions, the facelifted W12 6.0 has the strongest performance, with 635 hp, 900 Nm, a 3.8-second 0–100 km/h time and a 306 km/h top speed. The first-generation 4.0 AT Diesel combines 435 hp and 900 Nm with the lowest measured combined consumption, 7.9 l/100 km.
The Bentley Bentayga choice comes down to priorities. Among the listed versions, the facelifted W12 6.0 has the strongest performance, with 635 hp, 900 Nm, a 3.8-second 0–100 km/h time and a 306 km/h top speed. The first-generation 4.0 AT Diesel combines 435 hp and 900 Nm with the lowest measured combined consumption, 7.9 l/100 km. The facelifted V6 Plug-in produces 449 hp and records the lowest CO₂ figure, 78 g/km, while the V8 EWB is the option to compare when the extended-body version matters. Buyers seeking the middle ground should focus on the 550 hp Gasoline versions: the first-generation 4.0 AT and the facelifted V8, V8 S and V8 EWB.
Generations and versions
The first generation ran from March 2016 to January 2020 as an SUV 5-doors and contains four listed versions. They are the 435 hp 4.0 AT Diesel, the 550 hp 4.0 AT Gasoline, the 608 hp 6.0 AT and the 635 hp 6.0 AT. The repeated names must be separated by output and engine data: the two 4.0 AT versions have 435 hp and 550 hp, while the two 6.0 AT versions have 608 hp and 635 hp.
The first-generation restyling started in January 2020 and remains open-ended in the supplied data. It is still an SUV 5-doors within the same generation and adds five listed versions: W12 6.0, V8, V8 S, V6 and V8 EWB. The W12 6.0 name is paired in the database with a 3,996 cc, 8-cylinder V-shaped engine; this article preserves those supplied specifications rather than inferring details from the version name.
Bentley Bentayga engine specs
| Generation | Exact version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation | 4.0 AT, 435 hp | 435 hp | 900 Nm | 3,956 cc | Diesel | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| First generation | 6.0 AT, 635 hp | 635 hp | 900 Nm | 5,998 cc | Gasoline | 12, W-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| First generation | 4.0 AT, 550 hp | 550 hp | 770 Nm | 3,996 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| First generation | 6.0 AT, 608 hp | 608 hp | 900 Nm | 5,998 cc | Gasoline | 12, W-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Restyling | W12 6.0 | 635 hp | 900 Nm | 3,996 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Restyling | V8 | 550 hp | 770 Nm | 3,996 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Restyling | V8 S | 550 hp | 770 Nm | 3,996 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Restyling | V6 | 449 hp | 770 Nm | 2,995 cc | Plug-in | 6, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Restyling | V8 EWB | 550 hp | 770 Nm | 3,996 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
On output per litre, the facelifted W12 6.0 leads at approximately 158.9 hp/litre. The facelifted V6 follows at approximately 149.9 hp/litre. The 550 hp engines with 3,996 cc produce approximately 137.6 hp/litre, the 635 hp first-generation 6.0 AT produces approximately 105.9 hp/litre, and the 608 hp 6.0 AT produces approximately 101.4 hp/litre. The Diesel 4.0 AT produces approximately 110.0 hp/litre.
Bentley Bentayga speed, performance and economy
| Generation | Exact version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City | Highway | Combined | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation | 4.0 AT, 435 hp | 4.8 s | 270 km/h | 9 l/100 km | 7.4 l/100 km | 7.9 l/100 km | 210 g/km |
| First generation | 6.0 AT, 635 hp | 3.9 s | 306 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| First generation | 4.0 AT, 550 hp | 4.5 s | 290 km/h | 15.6 l/100 km | 9 l/100 km | 11.4 l/100 km | 260 g/km |
| First generation | 6.0 AT, 608 hp | 4.1 s | 301 km/h | 19.2 l/100 km | 9.1 l/100 km | 12.8 l/100 km | 292 g/km |
| Restyling | W12 6.0 | 3.8 s | 306 km/h | 19.7 l/100 km | 11.2 l/100 km | 14.3 l/100 km | 325 g/km |
| Restyling | V8 | 4.5 s | 290 km/h | 16.5 l/100 km | 9.3 l/100 km | 12 l/100 km | 272 g/km |
| Restyling | V8 S | 4.5 s | 290 km/h | 15.6 l/100 km | 9 l/100 km | 11.4 l/100 km | 294 g/km |
| Restyling | V6 | 5.5 s | 254 km/h | 16.5 l/100 km | 9.3 l/100 km | 12 l/100 km | 78 g/km |
| Restyling | V8 EWB | 4.6 s | 290 km/h | not measured | not measured | 13 l/100 km | 294 g/km |
The W12 6.0 reaches 100 km/h 0.1 second sooner than the first-generation 635 hp 6.0 AT, although both have a listed top speed of 306 km/h. The 608 hp 6.0 AT is 0.4 second quicker to 100 km/h and 11 km/h faster than the 550 hp first-generation 4.0 AT, but its measured combined consumption is 1.4 l/100 km higher.
The Diesel 4.0 AT is the economy-led conventional choice. Its combined figure is 3.5 l/100 km below the first-generation 550 hp 4.0 AT and 4.9 l/100 km below the 608 hp 6.0 AT. It also supplies 130 Nm more torque than the 550 hp Gasoline alternatives, although it gives away 115 hp and 20 km/h to the first-generation 550 hp 4.0 AT.
Bentley Bentayga dimensions, weight and capacity
Overall exterior dimensions are not measured in the supplied data. The available size-related specifications are kerb weight, gross weight, ground clearance, fuel-tank capacity and, for some first-generation versions, wheel sizes.
| Generation | Exact version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation | 4.0 AT, 435 hp | 2,499 kg | 3,250 kg | 220 mm | 85 l | 275/50 R20; 285/45 R21; 285/40 R22 |
| First generation | 6.0 AT, 635 hp | 2,422 kg | 3,250 kg | 220 mm | 85 l | not measured |
| First generation | 4.0 AT, 550 hp | 2,388 kg | 3,250 kg | 220 mm | 85 l | 275/50 R20; 285/45 R21; 285/40 R22 |
| First generation | 6.0 AT, 608 hp | 2,422 kg | 3,250 kg | 220 mm | 85 l | 275/50 R20; 285/45 R21; 285/40 R22 |
| Restyling | W12 6.0 | 2,508 kg | 3,250 kg | 245 mm | 85 l | not measured |
| Restyling | V8 | 2,415 kg | 3,250 kg | 245 mm | 85 l | not measured |
| Restyling | V8 S | 2,415 kg | 3,250 kg | 245 mm | 85 l | not measured |
| Restyling | V6 | 2,648 kg | 3,250 kg | 245 mm | 75 l | not measured |
| Restyling | V8 EWB | 2,514 kg | 3,250 kg | 245 mm | 85 l | not measured |
Every listed version has a gross weight of 3,250 kg. Kerb weight ranges from 2,388 kg for the first-generation 550 hp 4.0 AT to 2,648 kg for the facelifted V6, a difference of 260 kg. The restyled versions have 245 mm of ground clearance, 25 mm more than the 220 mm listed for every pre-restyling version.
Weight per horsepower reinforces the performance comparison. The facelifted W12 6.0 carries approximately 3.95 kg per hp, while the first-generation 635 hp 6.0 AT carries approximately 3.81 kg per hp. The 608 hp 6.0 AT records approximately 3.98 kg per hp. The first-generation 550 hp 4.0 AT is approximately 4.34 kg per hp, the facelifted V8 and V8 S are approximately 4.39 kg per hp, and the V8 EWB is approximately 4.57 kg per hp. The Diesel 4.0 AT is approximately 5.74 kg per hp, while the V6 is approximately 5.90 kg per hp.
Which Bentley Bentayga version should you buy?
Choose the first-generation 4.0 AT Diesel if measured fuel consumption and strong low-speed torque matter most. Its 900 Nm matches both first-generation 6.0 AT versions and the facelifted W12 6.0, while its 7.9 l/100 km combined consumption is the lowest measured figure in the catalogue data.
Choose the first-generation 550 hp 4.0 AT for the strongest balance of measured weight, speed and consumption. At 2,388 kg it is the lightest listed Bentayga, yet it reaches 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds and 290 km/h. Its 11.4 l/100 km combined figure is 1.4 l/100 km below the 608 hp 6.0 AT.
Choose the first-generation 635 hp 6.0 AT when outright speed is the goal but measured consumption is not essential. It combines 635 hp, 900 Nm, a 3.9-second 0–100 km/h time and a 306 km/h maximum; city, highway and combined consumption are not measured.
Choose the facelifted W12 6.0 for the quickest acceleration in the supplied data. It cuts the 0–100 km/h time to 3.8 seconds, retains a 306 km/h top speed and adds 25 mm of ground clearance over the pre-restyling versions. The trade-off is a measured 14.3 l/100 km combined consumption and a 2,508 kg kerb weight.
Choose the facelifted V8 or V8 S if 550 hp, 770 Nm and a 4.5-second 0–100 km/h time are sufficient. Their listed performance and 2,415 kg kerb weights are identical, but measured combined consumption is 12 l/100 km for V8 and 11.4 l/100 km for V8 S. The database lists V8 with 8 cylinders and V8 S with 6 cylinders, both V-shaped.
Choose V6 when its Plug-in powertrain and 78 g/km CO₂ figure take priority over acceleration. It is the slowest listed version at 5.5 seconds to 100 km/h and 254 km/h, the heaviest at 2,648 kg, and the only version with a 75 l tank rather than 85 l.
Choose V8 EWB when that exact extended-body version is the requirement. It retains 550 hp, 770 Nm, AWD and an 8-speed Automatic, but weighs 99 kg more than V8 and takes 0.1 second longer to reach 100 km/h. Its combined consumption is 13 l/100 km; city and highway figures are not measured.
Price, used-car availability, interior equipment, engine-oil specifications, maintenance history, problems and reliability are not measured in the supplied data. Those questions therefore cannot distinguish these versions here. On the available numbers alone, the first-generation 4.0 AT Diesel is the economy choice, the first-generation 550 hp 4.0 AT is the balanced choice, and the facelifted W12 6.0 is the acceleration choice.