Bentley Bentayga review - MPG, running costs & CO2

​SUVs use more fuel than low-slung models and luxury cars have higher running costs than everyday cars. A luxury SUV, therefore, can be expected to be an expensive proposition, even after the initial purchase price has been absorbed. The petrol Bentley Bentayga consumes a lot of fuel, emits a lot of carbon dioxide and is unforgiving when it comes to servicing and insurance.

The plug-in hybrid helps redress the balance, with a battery pack and electric motor mounted in the rear but it doesn't have the latest plug-in tech we've seen. It offers around 25 miles of pure-electric range, just like the pre-facelift car, meaning those who drive a shorter commute could do so while hardly using any petrol at all.

Bentley Bentayga MPG & CO2

For those Bentley drivers who keep tabs on such things, the V8 petrol can officially manage up to 21.7mpg. In the real world, economy is likely to be around 18mpg when driving carefully. As you’d expect for such a large engine, the Bentayga is not exactly planet-friendly either, with the V8 engine producing CO2 emissions of 294g/km; a similar amount to rival performance SUVs such as the Lamborghini Urus and Audi RS Q8. The high emissions figure places the car in the highest 37% bracket for Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) company-car tax. 

The W12-powered Bentayga Speed offered similar efficiency to the V8 engine but a higher CO2 output, and it has now been discontinued. The plug-in hybrid is easily the most fuel-efficient of the range thanks to its 17.3kWh battery and electric motor, with official fuel consumption and CO2 emissions figures of 83.1mpg and 82g/km respectively. This will make it more affordable for business users, but doesn't qualify the car for free entry into central London.

Meanwhile, after the first 12 months of ownership, private owners will need to pay the standard annual VED (road tax) rate plus a luxury car surcharge, dropping back to the regular amount the sixth time the car is taxed. The plug-in hybrid reduces the bill by £10 annually.

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Insurance groups

It’s hardly surprising to learn that as a huge SUV with a six-figure asking price, the Bentley Bentayga sits in the most expensive insurance risk category of group 50.

Servicing

Bentley recommends you service your Bentayga annually or every 10,000 miles – whichever comes first. Assuming the Bentayga is eligible for the same offers as other Bentleys, a two-year, fixed-price servicing package should set you back around £2,000.

Warranty

The Bentayga is covered by a three-year/unlimited-mileage warranty, the same as the warranty you’ll get on a new Range Rover.