2027 Range Rover vs. Bentley Bentayga Comparison with Price, Specs, & Photos
When it comes to luxury SUVs, no model on the market offers anything near the heritage that comes with the Range Rover, the first proper luxury SUV. That said, there are other brands with impressive histories that just got into SUVs more recently, including another British luxury automaker, Bentley. The Bentley Bentayga is the brand’s first SUV, and it’s certainly a formidable opponent, but is it formidable enough to take on the longtime king of the segment, the Range Rover? Unfortunately, it falls a bit short; read on to see how the comparison breaks down.
Range Rover VS Bentley Bentayga
We should mention from the outset that we’re focusing here on the Range Rover SV and SV Ultra, as these variants offer the most extensive range of customization options, luxury appointments, and cutting-edge technology. Both vehicles come with a twin-turbo V8 engine, although the 542 horsepower you get with the Bentley falls short of the 607-horsepower Range Rover. There is a Bentayga Speed with a bit more power than the Range Rover, but that also comes with things like carbon fiber interior trim and loud interior colors, which aren’t for everyone. But when it comes to performance, the really important difference between these two models is that the Range Rover is also available with an electric drivetrain. Like the V8, the electric drivetrain is quicker to 60 mph than the Bentayga, and it comes with the added luxury of making stops at the gas station a thing of the past.
Both vehicles are offered in a short wheelbase aimed at drivers who want to take advantage of the impressive performance, and both are also available with a long wheelbase that allows for a more accommodating back seat. But that’s not to say that both vehicles provide the same amount of back seat space. The Bentayga Extended Wheelbase offers 40.9 inches of rear legroom, which is a decent amount, but it pales in comparison to the 48 inches of rear legroom and the reclining back seats found in the long-wheelbase Range Rover. Back seat entertainment is also that extra bit better in the Range Rover, with 13.1-inch screens that let you see what you’re watching better than the 10.1-inch back seat screens in the Bentayga. And while the Bang & Olufsen or Naim stereo systems offered in the Bentayga are undeniably impressive, they aren’t at the cutting edge of audio technology. That title goes to the Range Rover and the available SV Electrostatic Sound system. The speakers in this system use a thin membrane in place of the traditional cone design and are 1,000 times more responsive as a result, delivering a level of clarity that is impossible for other systems to replicate. These speakers are also much thinner, making it possible to mount them inside the seats for an even more immersive listening experience. For a true music lover, there is no better vehicle in the world than the Range Rover.
Bentley is famous for offering an extensive range of customization options, including fully bespoke paint colors and interior options. But the SV Bespoke program for the Range Rover offers the same level of customization, so when it comes to outfitting one of these vehicles to your exact tastes, neither holds an advantage. But under the surface, there is one important distinction. The Bentayga platform isn’t bespoke; it’s shared with a number of Volkswagen Group products, from the recently discontinued VW Touareg to the new Audi Q9. This platform sharing with downmarket models is part of the reason why the Bentayga seriously lags behind the Range Rover in areas like off-road prowess. The Range Rover platform was designed to be a Range Rover, and as such remains a favorite of the English aristocracy for their countryside estate stables.
Winner – Range Rover
There is no denying that the Bentley Bentayga is an excellent vehicle. However, when it comes to SUVs, the far greater breadth of experience at Land Rover has made for a Range Rover that outdoes the Bentayga in several key areas. The luxury experience in the Range Rover is superior in several ways, and takes nothing away from the incredible performance in the process. The Range Rover remains the complete package, the leader in its segment. Let Land Rover South Hills help you find the Range Rover that’s perfect for you.