Bantayga - anyone here own one? What is it like?
Discussion
Been seeing a few of these lately and I took one for a test drive when they were launched and fell in love with it. I could not however, get myself to stump £200k on a 4x4 so I resisted temptation. Been seeing a lot of these pop up for sale around the £150k mark now so prices are coming down pretty rapidly as expected for a massive petrol engine 4x4.
Wondered if anyone here runs one and how they have behaved since you picked up the car? With the launch of the new diesel and a 7 seat option now available these seem more practical.
Wondered if anyone here runs one and how they have behaved since you picked up the car? With the launch of the new diesel and a 7 seat option now available these seem more practical.
Edited by 458man on Wednesday 21st September 11:47
SRT Hellcat said:
It looks like a bugeyed Cayenne. A very expensive Q7 that I would not entertain either
Have you driven one? Funny how people make all these assumptions without having first hand experience of the car. Go and drive one and you will immediately realise it's a few light years ahead of a Cayenne and Q7. 458man said:
Have you driven one? Funny how people make all these assumptions without having first hand experience of the car. Go and drive one and you will immediately realise it's a few light years ahead of a Cayenne and Q7.
I don't own one and I haven't driven one but I've had a good look at a couple of Bantayga's in a local dealership and have to say they look better in the metal. It's also obvious that they exude quality. That said, they are very expensive compared to their rivals.CharlieAlphaMike said:
458man said:
Have you driven one? Funny how people make all these assumptions without having first hand experience of the car. Go and drive one and you will immediately realise it's a few light years ahead of a Cayenne and Q7.
I don't own one and I haven't driven one but I've had a good look at a couple of Bantayga's in a local dealership and have to say they look better in the metal. It's also obvious that they exude quality. That said, they are very expensive compared to their rivals.458man said:
Have you driven one? Funny how people make all these assumptions without having first hand experience of the car. Go and drive one and you will immediately realise it's a few light years ahead of a Cayenne and Q7.
It is not an assumption. I just do not like the look of it. That includes the Cayenne and Q7.Bentley Hampshire kindly loaned me one when my GT was in for a service, so I had a day of driving around in it. My first bit of advice is to read the manual, since there a lot of functions that you may or may not want, and you need to know how to turn them on and off. For the first half hour of driving I was very confused, not least by the orange flashing lights on the inside edge of the wing mirrors - a radar sensor warns you of vehicles approaching from behind in your blind spot. The other impression is that the new generation of W12 engine makes it a very fast car indeed - almost indistinguishable from my GT. My main gripe was the amount of space in the front seats. I am not quite 6 feet tall, and banged my head getting in and out of it. I tried to lower the seat, but needed to read the manual to bring about the necessary adjustment. A friend of mine who is 6ft 3in manages OK, so it was me doing something wrong. Getting in and out of the car is easier with running boards, especially for fillies with short skirts.
I doubt that many will explore the full potential of this car, but apparently Bentley have orders for 4,000 of them so they must appeal to those with £250,000 hanging about spare.
Let's hope they have bombproofed the electronics - there is lots to go wrong.
I doubt that many will explore the full potential of this car, but apparently Bentley have orders for 4,000 of them so they must appeal to those with £250,000 hanging about spare.
Let's hope they have bombproofed the electronics - there is lots to go wrong.
Yeah, I've got one. Copy and paste of my comments in the diesel Bentayga thread in GG below. Any other questions please feel free to ask.
easytiger123 said:
Some entertaining comments on here! Well, having owned a Bentayga for about 3 months now I'll give you some early-ish impressions.
Let's get this out the way first. It's no beauty. I specced mine in Midnight Emerald (a very dark green) with saddle and black interior and without any of the extra external mesh over the front of it. I think (obviously) it looks much better in darker colours and without the bling but even then the looks aren't fantastic especially from front on, but it certainly isn't hideous. I also think the 21" wheels look better than the 22" ones that most Bentaygas seem to have.
Different story altogether once you climb in. The interior is very well designed and beautifully put together. Whereas for example, my former Ghost did feel in some respects like a very nice BMW 7 Series, the Bentayga is a completely different proposition to the Q7. The seats are incredibly comfortable, it comes with (or can be specced with) every toy you could possibly want and the Naim sound system is stunning.
To drive. Well, in a word fast. In 3 words very f
king fast. It corners like nothing of that ride height should be able to and is supremely comfortable for long trips across all types of road. I think in terms of the way it rides over rougher surfaces that it doesn't feel quite as insulated from the road as I'd like but perhaps I just need to play with the multitude of different settings a bit more. I have left mine in 'Bentley' mode which is somewhere between Comfort and Sport I think.
So far, so good. What I have to say though is that it isn't a Range Rover. It doesn't give you that imperious ride height and view through the big windscreen or (and very noticeably) does it give you those big side windows that drop down very low. The Bentayga's are much more car-like in that respect and it doesn't feel like you're wafting your living room along the M4 if you see what I mean. Much as I like the Bentayga I don't love it and it feels more like a jacked-up Conti GT with a better interior than a Range Rover rival.
In summary, comments about tarted up X5 or Q7 on steroids are well wide of the mark. It is on a different planet to those vehicles as it should be for what it costs. I would have bought a petrol Range Rover instead and have owned a couple in the past but their problem is that the new top of the line SVR (I think) models are pushing 150 grand and represent poor value over the 'basic' petrol version. Felt like they'd tacked on a few whirled aluminium nobs and dials to try and move it upmarket to compete with the Bentley and failed. They didn't need to and shouldn't have bothered. Once they've facelifted it and updated the touch screen etc, then I'll almost certainly sell the Bentley to buy one. Until then, I'll try and enjoy the hate in the Bentayga!
PS, as for the diesel...no thanks!
Let's get this out the way first. It's no beauty. I specced mine in Midnight Emerald (a very dark green) with saddle and black interior and without any of the extra external mesh over the front of it. I think (obviously) it looks much better in darker colours and without the bling but even then the looks aren't fantastic especially from front on, but it certainly isn't hideous. I also think the 21" wheels look better than the 22" ones that most Bentaygas seem to have.
Different story altogether once you climb in. The interior is very well designed and beautifully put together. Whereas for example, my former Ghost did feel in some respects like a very nice BMW 7 Series, the Bentayga is a completely different proposition to the Q7. The seats are incredibly comfortable, it comes with (or can be specced with) every toy you could possibly want and the Naim sound system is stunning.
To drive. Well, in a word fast. In 3 words very f
king fast. It corners like nothing of that ride height should be able to and is supremely comfortable for long trips across all types of road. I think in terms of the way it rides over rougher surfaces that it doesn't feel quite as insulated from the road as I'd like but perhaps I just need to play with the multitude of different settings a bit more. I have left mine in 'Bentley' mode which is somewhere between Comfort and Sport I think.So far, so good. What I have to say though is that it isn't a Range Rover. It doesn't give you that imperious ride height and view through the big windscreen or (and very noticeably) does it give you those big side windows that drop down very low. The Bentayga's are much more car-like in that respect and it doesn't feel like you're wafting your living room along the M4 if you see what I mean. Much as I like the Bentayga I don't love it and it feels more like a jacked-up Conti GT with a better interior than a Range Rover rival.
In summary, comments about tarted up X5 or Q7 on steroids are well wide of the mark. It is on a different planet to those vehicles as it should be for what it costs. I would have bought a petrol Range Rover instead and have owned a couple in the past but their problem is that the new top of the line SVR (I think) models are pushing 150 grand and represent poor value over the 'basic' petrol version. Felt like they'd tacked on a few whirled aluminium nobs and dials to try and move it upmarket to compete with the Bentley and failed. They didn't need to and shouldn't have bothered. Once they've facelifted it and updated the touch screen etc, then I'll almost certainly sell the Bentley to buy one. Until then, I'll try and enjoy the hate in the Bentayga!
PS, as for the diesel...no thanks!
easytiger123 - Thank you for sharing your refreshingly honest and detailed account of the Bentayga.
With regards to your comments about petrol Range Rovers, I have a very rare late 2006 Range Rover, 4.4 Vogue petrol, which is the later improved suspension model (when everyone else either went diesel or supercharged) - It's only worth about £10k but it drives beautifully and I'm not even slightly interested in swapping it for a new diesel..... When will manufacturers start to realise that not everybody wants a diesel car!
As for you saying that the Bentayga is no beauty..... Well maybe not but that's not everything, many people don't find my Mulsanne Speed particularly attractive (see image below), but it really is craftsmanship at it's best and a fantastic vehicle to drive!
http://thumbsnap.com/f/URrkgyzP
With regards to your comments about petrol Range Rovers, I have a very rare late 2006 Range Rover, 4.4 Vogue petrol, which is the later improved suspension model (when everyone else either went diesel or supercharged) - It's only worth about £10k but it drives beautifully and I'm not even slightly interested in swapping it for a new diesel..... When will manufacturers start to realise that not everybody wants a diesel car!
As for you saying that the Bentayga is no beauty..... Well maybe not but that's not everything, many people don't find my Mulsanne Speed particularly attractive (see image below), but it really is craftsmanship at it's best and a fantastic vehicle to drive!
http://thumbsnap.com/f/URrkgyzP
Edited by allister on Saturday 24th September 09:07
Thanks allister. Sadly as I settle into middle age I think i've become a lot more sanguine about some of my car buying (and other) decisions and much as I'd love to say the Bentayga is wonderful and the best car i've ever owned etc, the reality is that it's not. It's got some fantastic points as I mentioned, but I can't help feeling that it's neither fish nor fowl and I should have bought a Range Rover instead. A bit like you, I had a 2010 petrol (albeit supercharged) RR and it was hands down the best all-round car I've ever had. Never put a foot wrong and nothing before or since has come close for long distance drives. I'll definitely get one once they've done the mid-cycle facelift and updated the touchscreen.
Funnily enough I had a couple of Mulsannes as weekend loaners from Bentley and found them a bit dull. Neither of them were Speeds though and I gather that makes a big difference. I think yours looks fantastic in that colour and there were some seriously tempting deals on offer ahead of the facelift. Despite my reservations about the standard Mulsanne I almost got a Speed but just couldn't justify 2 enormous Bentleys parked outside Easytiger Towers!
Funnily enough I had a couple of Mulsannes as weekend loaners from Bentley and found them a bit dull. Neither of them were Speeds though and I gather that makes a big difference. I think yours looks fantastic in that colour and there were some seriously tempting deals on offer ahead of the facelift. Despite my reservations about the standard Mulsanne I almost got a Speed but just couldn't justify 2 enormous Bentleys parked outside Easytiger Towers!
easytiger123 said:
Thanks allister. Sadly as I settle into middle age I think i've become a lot more sanguine about some of my car buying (and other) decisions and much as I'd love to say the Bentayga is wonderful and the best car i've ever owned etc, the reality is that it's not. It's got some fantastic points as I mentioned, but I can't help feeling that it's neither fish nor fowl and I should have bought a Range Rover instead. A bit like you, I had a 2010 petrol (albeit supercharged) RR and it was hands down the best all-round car I've ever had. Never put a foot wrong and nothing before or since has come close for long distance drives. I'll definitely get one once they've done the mid-cycle facelift and updated the touchscreen.
Funnily enough I had a couple of Mulsannes as weekend loaners from Bentley and found them a bit dull. Neither of them were Speeds though and I gather that makes a big difference. I think yours looks fantastic in that colour and there were some seriously tempting deals on offer ahead of the facelift. Despite my reservations about the standard Mulsanne I almost got a Speed but just couldn't justify 2 enormous Bentleys parked outside Easytiger Towers!
Sorry to hear it hasn't worked out Easytiger123.... I also recently looked at the Range Rover SV Autobiography and like you thought it wasn't hugely different to the standard Autobiography. I quite fancied the option of two tone paint but that's about it.Funnily enough I had a couple of Mulsannes as weekend loaners from Bentley and found them a bit dull. Neither of them were Speeds though and I gather that makes a big difference. I think yours looks fantastic in that colour and there were some seriously tempting deals on offer ahead of the facelift. Despite my reservations about the standard Mulsanne I almost got a Speed but just couldn't justify 2 enormous Bentleys parked outside Easytiger Towers!
It is disappointing when a car doesn't live up to expectations..... While buying this car probably wasn't the right decision, I'm sure you've made lots of good choices over the years, so it's only natural that the occasional bad one gets thrown in from time to time.
I've made many similar mistakes myself, so I know exactly how you must be feeling...... On a positive note though, making these mistakes always makes me more cautious in the future, so there is definitely an upside to our costly errors.
Edited by allister on Sunday 25th September 10:44
sealtt said:
After trying the Bentayga I believe the Range Rover L405 is the superior luxury vehicle because of one key point: seating position.
Disagree with that. You may not have quite the panoramic view you get in the Land Rover but it makes up for it with seat comfort, quality and general interior ambience.What is price difference between the Rover and the Bantayga? Bentley gives a 3 year warranty while Rover provides 4 years within the States. Anyone try the new Tesla Model X as our beach home neighbor has one and truly loves it. Extremely modern, and blindly fast, too.
www.tesla.com/en_CA/modelx
www.tesla.com/en_CA/modelx
easytiger123 said:
.....but I can't help feeling that it's neither fish nor fowl and I should have bought a Range Rover instead.!
Really interesting way of putting it.I think you are too kind about the front end of the car, it's just the poorest styling design, and I would rate as ugly and as poorly proportioned as the front end of the Suzuki SX4 S-Cross.
Post refresh any more new owners now? This one has just caught my eye as prices are edging down.
http://www.jardinemotors.co.uk/bentley/used-cars/7...
http://www.jardinemotors.co.uk/bentley/used-cars/7...
cayman-black said:
Post refresh any more new owners now? This one has just caught my eye as prices are edging down.
http://www.jardinemotors.co.uk/bentley/used-cars/7...
Seems these are not enthusiasts cars as no replies so will stick with RRs.http://www.jardinemotors.co.uk/bentley/used-cars/7...
I went and looked at one today to give it another chance after picking the Range Rover last time. Again after another visit I do not see the appeal. Quite an ugly car, interior nothing particularly special for the money - a Merc S63 blows it out the water, and is not particular spacious or very good visibility. I don't get it...
The salesman said it would work as an extra car in addition to a Range Rover, not a replacement - which I thought was very interesting. That being the case though I'd rather a Ferrari FF or GTC4 Lusso as a family friendly fun/second car - which coincidentally I also viewed today and have to order! What a noise!
The salesman said it would work as an extra car in addition to a Range Rover, not a replacement - which I thought was very interesting. That being the case though I'd rather a Ferrari FF or GTC4 Lusso as a family friendly fun/second car - which coincidentally I also viewed today and have to order! What a noise!
Edited by sealtt on Saturday 25th March 18:33
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