BENTLEY BENTAYGA V8 S

The world has changed around Bentley's SUV, but it doesn't really care

- FELIX PAGE

It's all in the details. The little digital model of the car on the driver's display has indicators and brake lights that illuminate when their real counterparts do, the sound insulation under the bonnet is quilted and you press the B in the rear badge to open the boot. Neat.

With Bentley's goliath W12 engine retired, the Bentayga now offers only a 449bhp V6-engined plug-in hybrid powertrain or the 542bhp, 568lb ft petrol V8 that we're reacquainting ourselves with here. Then there's an expansive array of special editions, trim packages and personalisation options to choose from across that line-up.

Funny how those reserves don't seem quite as towering in 2024 as they did a few years ago, isn't it? Not small per se but somewhat diminished in light of the Aston Martin DBX 707's 697bhp and the 789bhp pumped out by the new Lamborghini Urus SE PHEV - not to mention the 740bhp V8-engined PHEV option that's due to be added to the Bentayga itself next year.