2021 Bentley Bentayga updated with tech improvements, styling tweaks

The Bentayga SUV is still a relative newcomer in Bentley history, but it has proven to be an incredibly important model. Bentley has sold more than 20,000 copies of its SUV since it first hit the market in late 2015, and the company released a number of key updates on Tuesday, all aimed at preparing the Bentayga for further success.

Outside, the Bentayga gets new front and rear trim designs that are clearly inspired by the Continental GT Coupé. “We changed everything from the A pillar,” said Bentley design director Stefan Sielaff during a virtual press conference on Tuesday. The Bentayga’s LED headlights have the same crystal cut as the Conti’s and the matrix grill is far more upright. The frontend doesn’t look much different, but it’s still an improvement. On the other hand, it’s not exactly a big achievement; The old Bentayga is not exactly what we would call attractive.

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The 2021 Bentley Bentayga has few changes, but …

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The rear has the most obvious visual update, where you’ll find a new take on the Continental’s oval taillights. What is not immediately noticeable is the new full-width tailgate design, which gives the backend a much cleaner look overall. The license plate holder is now also integrated in the bumper.

Dimensionally speaking, the 2021 Bentayga is about the same size as before, although the rear track has been slightly enlarged. Bentley says the rear seat passengers have more space than before, despite no change in length or wheelbase. A front double wishbone and a rear multi-link setup will be transferred to the chassis, and Bentley will continue to offer its 48-volt anti-roll technology, which works in conjunction with the self-leveling air suspension.

Bentley will offer the 2021 Bentayga in the V8, Hybrid and W12 Speed ​​models. The standard option W12 is not transferred for this update. So far, Bentley has only published specifications for the base V8 model, which uses the same 54.0-liter twin-turbo engine as before with 542 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque. We always liked the Bentayga best with the V8 – It offers a lot of punch and a hearty soundtrack. It is not an idiot either; Bentley says the 5.326-pound Bentayga can accelerate to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds.

The Bentayga will continue to be equipped with a range of driver assistance functions, which, however, are optional as with almost every high-end car manufacturer. The City Specification Pack includes things like parking assistant, traffic sign recognition and a top view camera, while the Touring Specification offers you subtleties like adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning. Four on-road driving modes are part of the standard equipment, as are four off-road settings for those who dare to drive their super-expensive luxury SUV off the beaten track.

When the Bentayga retracts, it receives new seats and some updated trim parts, although the basic design remains largely the same. The most important interior update relates to the technology in which the previous Bentayga’s infotainment system, which is older than dirt, is replaced by the company’s “new, ultra-modern” technology. Of course, just like the Continental GT and Flying Spur, this is just a Bentley-specific version of Porsche’s communication management software, although that’s not a bad thing. We like the colorful, reconfigurable and responsive nature of this interface and hey, in addition to being wireless Apple CarPlaythe software now contains Android Auto Compatibility – a first for Bentley and Porsche – although the latter is only available via one of the Bentayga’s USB-C cable connections.

The Bentayga gets a fully digital instrument cluster, just like that from Continental and Flying Spur, and there is also a head-up display. Unfortunately, the Bentayga doesn’t have the damn cool rotating display used in other Bentley cars, where the infotainment screen can fold back into the dashboard and show three analog displays.

Otherwise, the cabin of the Bentayga is more luxurious and nicely decorated than ever before. Passengers in the rear seats receive a remote-controlled tablet like that of the Flying Spur with a 5-inch display. Back seat drivers can use it to control the audio and navigation systems as well as things like interior lighting, shutters and, of course, seat heating and massage.

Look for the 2021 Bentayga V8 that will be available later this year. The Hybrid and W12 Speed ​​models will follow. Official pricing has not yet been released, but SUV product line manager Chris Cole said it should “cost around 5% more than the existing Bentayga.” In the United States, the current Bentayga starts at $ 160,000. It’s not exactly a jerk change, but with these meaningful styling and technology updates, a pill is a little easier to swallow than before.