2019 Bentley Bentayga V8 Design Series Review

The luxury SUV market has always been a niche but highly competitive segment in Malaysia. Consumers value not only the status brought by the brand but also the practicality of everyday use. The 2019 Bentley Bentayga V8 Design Series, as a mid-to-large luxury SUV under Bentley, stands out by maintaining the brand's luxurious texture while enhancing its recognizability with exclusive Design Series design elements. At the same time, the performance offered by the 4.0T V8 engine also ensures driving pleasure. In this test drive, we focus on the luxurious details, actual driving experience, and practicality of the space to see if it can meet the demands of high-end users in Malaysia.

In terms of appearance, the Bentayga V8 Design Series continues Bentley's classic SUV silhouette. The overall lines are square and imposing, yet detailed treatments prevent it from looking bulky. The matrix-style front grille remains a signature design, with chrome trim paired with the Bentley logo, ensuring a high degree of recognizability. The sharply defined LED headlights on both sides feature intricate internal configurations, providing a steady visual appeal when illuminated. The most noticeable feature on the car's side is the Design Series-exclusive 21-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels paired with 285/45 R21 wide tires, which enhance both its sporty look and road grip. The waistline runs from the front fender to the rear, giving the sides a more elongated appearance. The window frames are wrapped in chrome, complemented by a silver roof rack that further enhances the luxury atmosphere. At the rear, the LED taillights feature Bentley's iconic circular design with neatly arranged internal light strips. When lit, they echo the headlights. The quad exhaust outlets under the rear bumper hint at its V8 engine's performance capability. Overall, the exterior of this car aligns with the solemnity of a luxury brand while showcasing uniqueness through the exclusive configurations of the Design Series.

Sitting inside, a strong sense of luxury immediately greets you. The interior is covered with large areas of genuine leather, offering a fine touch and exquisite stitching. Every seam is meticulously crafted. The dashboard layout leans towards the design of traditional luxury cars, without overly pursuing the visual impact of large screens, but retaining some physical buttons such as the air conditioning adjustment knobs and volume control keys, which offer a high-quality tactile response. The 8-inch touch screen may not be very large, but its interface operates smoothly and supports basic navigation and multimedia functions. Below it, the air conditioning control area features dual-zone automatic climate control, and the rear seat is also equipped with independent air vents to ensure comfort for both front and rear passengers. Regarding the seats, the front seats support height adjustment, and the passenger seat is also manually adjustable. The seat cushions and backrests are well-padded and provide strong support, ensuring long-term seating without fatigue. Notably, the vehicle is equipped with a 10-speaker sound system, delivering clear audio quality that can meet the auditory needs of most users. Although the standard single sunroof is not panoramic, it still provides decent lighting for the interior.

In terms of space performance, the dimensions of this vehicle are 5140mm in length, 1998mm in width, and 1742mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2995mm. These dimensions place it within the mainstream range for luxury SUVs of its class. The front-row seating space is spacious; a passenger with a height of 180cm will have a headroom of one fist and two fingers, and the legroom is also generous. The rear-row space is equally impressive, with over two fists of legroom and about one fist of headroom. Even with three adults seated in the back, it does not feel cramped. The middle portion of the floor is not significantly raised, so the middle passenger's leg space isn’t too restricted. In terms of storage capability, the trunk has a capacity of 484L, which is more than adequate for everyday items such as suitcases or shopping bags, meeting the requirements for short family trips. The vehicle also includes abundant small storage spaces inside, such as door panel storage slots, a central armrest box, and front cup holders, offering excellent practicality.

In terms of power, the 2019 Bentayga V8 Design Series is equipped with a 4.0T twin-turbocharged V8 engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 550PS and a peak torque of 770N·m (though torque is not directly marked in the configuration sheet, it can be estimated based on Bentley's same engine specifications). It is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. During actual driving, the power response is quick at the start, and a light tap on the accelerator produces a noticeable push-back feeling. When switched to Sport mode, the throttle sensitivity is further enhanced, and the acceleration is powerful; the official 0-100km/h time is just 4.5 seconds. Such performance is outstanding for an SUV weighing 2.4 tons. During daily driving, gear shifts are smooth, with virtually no perceivable jerkiness. While cruising at high speed, the engine maintains a low RPM, and noise is well-controlled. In terms of fuel consumption, the official combined fuel consumption is 11.4L/100km, while during actual test drives, fuel consumption in urban conditions was approximately 14L/100km and around 9L/100km on highways. Considering its power and weight, such fuel efficiency is acceptable within its class.

As for handling and chassis performance, the combination of front double-wishbone independent suspension and rear multi-link independent suspension balances comfort and handling. When driving on smooth roads, the suspension system excellently filters out bumps, and minor vibrations from the road are almost unnoticeable in the cabin. When encountering speed bumps or uneven roads, the suspension rebounds quickly without excess wobbling. The steering system has a heavier feel, matching the luxury SUV positioning, with precise directionality, and the body roll is well-controlled during cornering, providing ample confidence. Regarding braking, the front and rear disc brakes deliver sufficient stopping power. The brake pedal feels linear, ensuring short braking distances and reliable safety.

In terms of driving comfort, the noise insulation in the cabin is excellent. While driving at high speeds, wind and road noise are well suppressed, with only a faint engine sound entering the cabin, which does not interfere with passenger conversations. The seat comfort, as previously mentioned, is enhanced with thick padding and good support, ensuring fatigue-free long-distance seating. The inclusion of rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlights also improves everyday driving convenience.

In conclusion, the 2019 Bentley Bentayga V8 Design Series boasts three core advantages: First, the luxury and sense of identity brought by the brand, which many non-luxury competitors in the same class cannot match. Second, the Design Series-specific configurations enhance its distinctiveness, catering to users' demands for customization. Third, the strong power performance, coupled with chassis and suspension tuned for both comfort and handling. Compared to its class rival, such as the Porsche Cayenne Turbo, this vehicle holds a stronger edge in luxury and brand positioning. Although its tech features may not be as cutting-edge as the latter, the traditional sense of luxury appeals more effectively to certain user preferences.

The target audience for this vehicle is quite clear: First, successful individuals seeking the identity and prestige of a luxury brand who also need an SUV that meets everyday family usage. Second, luxury car enthusiasts who enjoy driving, as the V8 engine's performance delivers considerable driving pleasure. Third, families who prioritize comfort and space, as the spacious rear seats and practical storage space meet their travel needs.

Overall, the 2019 Bentley Bentayga V8 Design Series is a mid-to-large luxury SUV that balances luxury, performance, and practicality. It does not overly pursue a sense of technology but adheres to Bentley's traditional luxurious appeal. With the exclusive configurations of the Design Series and its strong performance, it stands out as a competitive product in the luxury SUV market.