2021 Bentley Bentayga Updated to Meet Customers’ Needs
Originally introduced for the 2017 model year, the Bentley Bentayga quickly established itself as the most popular model in the prestigious British luxury automaker’s lineup. Now the time has come for the first generation to receive a mid-cycle update that elevates luxury and exclusivity to new heights.
The changes and improvements, inspired by the latest Continental GT and Flying Spur, are the result of Bentley listening to what customers want and need, assures Chairman and CEO Adrian Hallmark.
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The front end of the 2021 Bentayga is more in line with the coupe and sedan. There’s a larger, more upright grille flanked by matrix LED headlights that are reminiscent of crystal glassware. The windshield wipers are now heated, new 22-inch wheel designs (specific to the Bentayga) are available, while the redesigned rear end features Continental GT-style taillights, a full-width liftgate and split tailpipes.
Two new colours are also added to the already extensive Bentayga palette—Viridian, in particular, is a dark shade of metallic green based on the colour of the EXP 10 Speed 6 concept.
That’s all nice, but the modernized interior is even more impressive. Bentley’s signature winged dashboard sports a new centre fascia, new instrument panel, new steering wheel and new 10.9-inch touchscreen. While the screen is not mounted on a rotary system allowing it to disappear when not in use, like in the Flying Spur, wireless Apple CarPlay is now standard (in addition to the previous standard wired system), along with Android Auto for the first time in a Bentley.
Designers also revised the door trim panels and seats in the 2021 Bentayga. Rear passengers benefit from 10 cm of extra legroom, available ventilated seats and a new, larger touchscreen remote control tablet, making it possible to remotely control a range of functions, from rear-seat heating and massage to the media system and navigation to mood lighting and window blinds. Furthermore, USB-C data ports and a wireless phone charger are now standard.
As for powertrains, the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 542 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque is back and still mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The W12-powered Bentayga Speed (626 horsepower) and the Bentayga Hybrid (443 horsepower, up to 50 kilometres of EV range) will return at a later date.
While the outgoing model started at just under $200,000, expect the new 2021 Bentley Bentayga to top that mark when it goes on sale later in 2020.