2019 Bentley Bentayga Speed Review

When the luxury SUV market was still debating "whether performance and comfort can coexist," Bentley provided an answer directly with the release of the Bentayga Speed in 2019—it is both a 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 engine-powered "speed beast" and a luxurious cabin capable of comfortably accommodating five people. This time, we got our hands on the actual vehicle, and the primary goal was to verify: Is this SUV, with a top speed of 306 km/h, merely a "toy" suitable for wild track adventures, or is it an "all-around player" fit for daily use?

Starting with the exterior, the design of the Bentayga Speed is not overly ostentatious, but every detail exudes a sense of exclusivity. The overall shape maintains the classic, boxy contour of Bentley SUVs, with the front featuring a signature matrix-style chrome grille paired with a darkened treatment on the lower front bumper's air intake, adding a touch of sportiness compared to the standard version. The body side lines are smooth, and the 21-inch wheels feature a multi-spoke design, with the tire size being 285/45 R21, which not only ensures a strong grip but also avoids looking bulky. At the rear, the most eye-catching features are the roof spoiler and the quad-exhaust layout. The intricate internal structure of the LED tail lights offers high recognition when illuminated. The lighting system comes standard with LED lights across all trims, and both the low beam and high beam provide sufficient illumination range and brightness for safe night driving at high speeds.

Stepping inside, a luxurious ambiance strikes immediately. The interior is richly wrapped in leather, and every touchpoint feels soft. The center console layout is simple, with an 8-inch touch screen that, while not conforming to the current trend of "larger screens," operates smoothly and without any lag. The seats are a specialty of Bentley—adjustable for height in the driver's seat, with customizable options for the front passenger seat as well. They are well-cushioned and provide excellent support, ensuring comfort during long-distance travel. In terms of features, both the front and rear rows enjoy automatic climate control, with independent rear air vents that cool down the interior quickly during summer. The sunroof is a single-pane design, allowing additional brightness and a sense of spaciousness for rear passengers when open. Rain-sensing wipers and a 10-speaker audio system come standard, making daily use highly convenient. For space, the vehicle measures 5140mm in length, 1998mm in width, and 1742mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2995mm. The front row provides ample space, allowing a 180cm tall passenger to have about a fist and a half of headroom. The rear seat offers about two fists of legroom, and the nearly flat center floor ensures a comfortable ride for three passengers without feeling cramped. The trunk has a capacity of 484 liters, enough to store three 28-inch suitcases, meeting the needs of family trips.

The dynamic performance is the core strength of the Bentayga Speed. The 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 engine delivers a maximum power of 635PS and a peak torque of 900N·m (though the exact figure is not fully detailed, the real-life performance is incredibly powerful). Paired with an AT transmission, a light press on the accelerator generates a noticeable thrust, with acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h taking just 3.8 seconds. When flooring the accelerator during overtaking, the power is always readily available with no turbo lag. There are multiple driving modes to choose from—switching to Sport Mode makes the exhaust note deeper and more robust, and the steering becomes heavier, offering a greater sense of control ideal for spirited driving. In Comfort Mode, the steering is lighter, making it well-suited for daily commuting. The chassis, featuring front double-wishbone suspension and rear multi-link suspension, is tuned with remarkable resilience. It absorbs most road bumps when going over speed bumps, avoiding harsh impacts. At highway speeds, the body remains exceptionally stable, with no noticeable floating even at 120 km/h. When cornering, body roll is well-controlled, making it more stable than many other SUVs in the same class. As for fuel consumption, the official combined fuel consumption is 14.7L/100km; however, our actual testing showed around 18L in urban conditions and approximately 12L on highways. Considering its displacement and weight, these results are within the expected range. Regarding ride comfort, the in-cabin noise is well-controlled; wind noise and tire noise at high speeds are minimal. The seats strike a balance between providing support and comfort, so even long drives won't leave you with a sore back or strained muscles.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2019 Bentayga Speed are quite evident: First, its performance crushes other luxury SUVs in the same class. With an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 306 km/h, it has almost no rivals in the same category. Second, it strikes a great balance between luxury and practicality, retaining Bentley's premium quality while also meeting the space needs for family trips. Compared to the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, the Bentayga Speed has a more luxurious vibe and larger rear seating space; and compared to the Range Rover SV Autobiography, its performance is more aggressive.

This car is suitable for two types of people: One type is those who love driving, seek speed and excitement, and at the same time need a luxury SUV that balances business and family needs. The other type is consumers with high brand expectations, who are not satisfied with ordinary luxury SUVs and want something more unique and performance-oriented.

All in all, the 2019 Bentley Bentayga Speed is not a "compromise" — it uses the brutal performance of a W12 engine to define the speed limit of luxury SUVs, while demonstrating its daily value through intricate luxury features and practical space. If you want a luxury SUV that can "beat" most sports cars on the highway while also offering a comfortable vacation ride for your family, it is a choice you can't go wrong with.