IT'S ALL IN THE DETAILS AND THAT’S WHERE THE Bentley Bentayga really shines. From the stitching on the steering wheel to the ‘organ stop’ controls along with the plethora of physical buttons, which bring a tactile nish that digital interfaces cannot match.
In many ways the Bentayga packs old-world charm while dousing its occupants in high-quality material but without shunning digital amenities. In today’s world of digital- first cabins, that’s a refreshing change and one that harks back to the values of the Bentley brand.
Unlike Rolls-Royce, Bentley has always been about embracing its dynamic side more without sacrificing luxury. Its cars are performance-led but don’t compromise on ride comfort as well while carving a fine line between a performance SUV and a cossetting luxury car.
Being an SUV has also meant that the Bentayga has been their best-selling car but it doesn’t go far from the traditional yardsticks of effortless performance and luxury.
While the cabin is rich in nish and dripping with hand-crafted material, the space inside is abundant and you can even opt for a longer wheelbase version to lounge about at the back. However, the place to be in the Bentayga is very much the driver’s seat as you’ll enjoy the distinct V8 woofle from here a lot more. While not being overly loud, the V8 powertrain is melodious and has a restrained but operatic roar that gels well with the character of the car.
Performance is abundant as you enjoy the torque rich power delivery where the 2.5 tonne Bentayga whisks o to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds. However, performance aficionados have an even more powerful ‘Speed’ iteration, which drops that time and adds more horsepower to the mix. Rather alarmingly, even the body control is reminiscent of a much smaller car and the steering is lovely in its measured feedback, while it entertains the driver with an involving driving experience.
For a vast luxury SUV, the Bentayga is fun to drive in a way you don’t expect a car of this class to be yet it’s not uncomfortable. The ride quality is soft but not at the expense of body roll and it does not float like some other SUVs. Instead, it is controlled along with relatively flat cornering.
That alluring combination of luxury and performance is what makes Bentley special. e Bentayga just makes more sense for Indian roads considering its towering stance, coupled with the ample ground clearance. While the cabin might not be laden with screens or festooned with technology, it offers everything you want without detracting from the original ethos of what its founder WO Bentley always envisaged.
It’s slightly analogue but one of the last luxury cars of its kind. With Bentley now being officially launched in India, you can expect to see more Bentayga’s on our roads soon.
To read more stories from Esquire India's May-June 2026 issue, pick up a copy of the magazine from your nearest newspaper stand or bookstore. Or click here to subscribe to the magazine.