Is the Bentley Bentayga V8 S Really an Everyday SUV, or Just a Dream on Wheels?
What’s It Like to Live With a £258,000 Bentley Bentayga V8 S Day-to-Day?
Let’s get this out of the way: driving a Bentley Bentayga V8 S every day is a bit like wearing a Savile Row suit to the supermarket. You’ll turn heads, maybe get a few double-takes, and you’ll definitely feel a little bit special every time you slip behind the wheel. But does that sense of occasion translate into genuine usability, or is it all just for show?
After several months of real-world driving, the answer is more nuanced than you might expect. Yes, the Bentayga is a 2.4-tonne, 5.1-metre-long SUV with a price tag that could buy you a house in some parts of the UK. But it’s also surprisingly approachable. Parallel parking on a narrow London street? Tricky, but not impossible—especially once you get used to the car’s width and those low-profile 22-inch wheels. The Bentayga’s suite of cameras and sensors helps, but you’ll still breathe a little easier after a stint in a compact hatchback.
On the move, though, the Bentayga shrinks around you. The steering is light at low speeds, the ride is plush, and the V8’s gentle purr is more soothing than showy—unless you dial up Sport mode, in which case the exhaust note gets distinctly more assertive. It’s a car that can be as discreet or as brash as you want, depending on your mood and, of course, your choice of paint.
How Does the Bentayga’s Customisation Set It Apart From Other Luxury SUVs?
Here’s where Bentley really flexes its muscles. The sheer level of personalisation available is staggering. The Orange Flame Satin paint on our test car, courtesy of Bentley’s Mulliner division, costs as much as a brand-new Volkswagen Polo. And that’s just the beginning. Bentley says 70% of Bentayga buyers opt for some form of Mulliner customisation, from bespoke wheels to unique interior trims and even personalised floor mats.
It’s not just about flash, either. While the boldest colours are available, most buyers still go for classic shades like black, white, or dark sapphire blue. But the point is, you can have it your way. The only real limit is your imagination—and, of course, your budget.
Inside, the Bentayga continues to impress. The rust and dark green interior of our test car was a refreshing change from the usual sea of black or beige found in most luxury SUVs. It felt unique, classy, and—crucially—practical for daily use. Bentley’s hand-stitched steering wheel and diamond-knurled metal controls are tactile reminders that you’re in something special.
Does the Bentayga V8 S Deliver on Performance and Driving Enjoyment?
Let’s talk numbers for a second. The 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 produces 542bhp and 568lb ft of torque, launching this luxury leviathan from 0-62mph in just 4.5 seconds. Top speed? A frankly absurd 180mph. Yet, official fuel economy is a respectable 22.1mpg, and our real-world average hovered around 21.5mpg—impressive for something this powerful and heavy.
But it’s not just about straight-line speed. The S model exists because customers wanted more dynamic performance from their SUVs. Bentley responded with active anti-roll control, recalibrated torque vectoring, and a Sport chassis mode that increases damping by 15%. The result? A big SUV that feels remarkably composed on twisty back roads. Sure, you’ll never forget its size, but the Bentayga is far more agile than you’d expect.
On a spirited drive through rural Oxfordshire, the Bentayga S felt genuinely fun—responsive steering, controlled body movements, and a soundtrack that’s just the right side of theatrical. It’s not a Porsche 911, but for a luxury SUV, it’s about as engaging as they come.
How Practical Is the Bentayga for Family Life and Road Trips?
This is where the Bentayga really shines. The boot swallows 484 litres of luggage, and the rear seats are genuinely comfortable for adults or kids. On a family trip to France, the Bentayga proved its worth—swallowing bags, toys, and snacks with ease. Even the Channel Tunnel’s oversized carriage felt just about big enough for its imposing frame.
Long journeys are a breeze thanks to the cosseting ride and whisper-quiet cabin. The infotainment system is intuitive, blending physical buttons with a crisp touchscreen, and the mood lighting can be tailored to suit your vibe (though, let’s be honest, purple in an orange car is a bit much).
One real-world quirk: the car’s digital display can switch between mph and kph, which led to a brief panic about speeding until a deep dive into the settings revealed the culprit. It’s a reminder that, for all the luxury, even a Bentley can have its tech foibles.
How Does the Bentayga Compare to Its Rivals in Terms of Technology and Build Quality?
Bentley has sometimes been accused of lagging behind in tech, but the Bentayga strikes a smart balance. While some rivals have gone all-in on touchscreens, Bentley retains physical controls for key functions—a move that’s now being copied by other brands after customer pushback against all-digital interfaces.
Build quality is, as you’d expect, impeccable. From the hand-stitched leather to the solid metal switches, everything feels crafted rather than assembled. There are a few shared components with other Volkswagen Group cars (the steering wheel controls, for example, are similar to those in an Audi A3), but these are minor quibbles in an otherwise bespoke-feeling cabin.
What About Running Costs and Ownership Experience?
Let’s not sugarcoat it: running a Bentayga isn’t cheap. Our test car’s options list alone added nearly £60,000 to the base price. Fuel economy is reasonable for the class, but you’ll still be visiting the petrol station more often than in a hybrid or diesel SUV. CO2 emissions are high at 296g/km, so company car drivers need not apply.
But reliability has been solid, with no faults reported during our test. Servicing costs are in line with the segment, and Bentley’s customer service is as polished as you’d expect. For those who want to go greener, a plug-in hybrid version is available, offering lower emissions and the ability to waft silently around town.
How Do People React to Seeing a Bentayga on the Road?
This is perhaps the most surprising aspect of Bentayga ownership. While some people are drawn to the car’s presence and want to chat about it, others react with a mix of envy and, occasionally, hostility. Driving a bright orange Bentley in the suburbs is a surefire way to stand out, for better or worse. It’s not a car for shrinking violets.
That said, the Bentayga is more than just a status symbol. It’s a genuinely capable, comfortable, and enjoyable SUV that can handle everything from the school run to a cross-continental road trip.
Is the Bentayga V8 S Worth It—and Who Is It Really For?
The Bentayga V8 S isn’t for everyone. It’s expensive, conspicuous, and unapologetically luxurious. But for those who want the ultimate blend of performance, comfort, and personalisation in an SUV, it’s hard to beat.
What really stands out after months of living with the Bentayga is how quickly it becomes part of your routine. Yes, it’s a statement car, but it’s also a supremely comfortable, practical, and surprisingly usable daily driver. Whether you’re a seasoned Bentley owner or just dreaming of joining the club, the Bentayga V8 S proves that you really can have your cake and eat it—preferably while cruising down a perfectly surfaced French motorway, V8 burbling away, and the world watching as you go by.