Key Points: VAT Qualifying, First Edition Extended Wheelbase Mulliner Specification, Panoramic Roof, Rear Entertainment

The Bentley Bentayga is a luxury SUV introduced in late 2015. Its name comes from Roque Bentayga, an emblematic highland rock situated in Tejeda, Gran Canaria, the subtropical Canary Island. The company also drew inspiration from a portmanteau of Bentley and Taiga, the world's largest transcontinental snow forest, composed of the first four letters of Bentley and an altered spelling of ‘taiga’.

Based on the 2012 EXP 9 F concept car, the production Bentayga debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2015 as Bentley's first SUV. It features unibody construction and full-time all-wheel drive, as well as Volkswagen Group's MLB platform, the latter shared with the second-generation Audi Q7 and the third-generation Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q8 and Lamborghini Urus.

The model was facelifted in 2020, with changes including new 3D elliptical tail-lights with animated LEDs, similar to those on the third-generation Continental GT, and a rear number plate repositioned onto the bumper. New side vents and heated windscreen washers were fitted, and the rear was redesigned with new tailpipes and a larger spoiler.

In the cabin, new seat frames in combination with extra reclining room allow a 100 mm (3.9 in) increase in knee space. There are ventilated rear seats, and rear passengers also receive an updated 5.0-inch removable touchscreen tablet to control entertainment and comfort functions. The infotainment has a new system with a higher resolution 10.9-inch touchscreen. Included are Apple CarPlay as well as USB-C ports, navigation, air ionisers, wireless smartphone charging, and an embedded SIM card for data services. The traditional instrument dials have been replaced with a digital display, and the head-up display shows more data.

In May 2022, Bentley introduced the Bentayga Extended Wheelbase (EWB), which adds 180mm to the SUV’s wheelbase, expanding the rear legroom and allowing fitment of the 22-way adjustable reclining ‘Airline Seat’ feature. The EWB features a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 that produces 542hp and 568 lb-ft of torque, as well as active anti-roll bars and rear-wheel steering.

The Azure First Edition is a limited-production variant of the Bentayga EWB, only available during the first 12 months of production. Combining many of the model’s most desirable options, it features ‘First Edition’ badging and seat embroidery, unique 22-inch 10-spoke directional wheels, bright lower bumper grilles, the brand’s Diamond Illumination system, LED welcome lights, and a 20-speaker 1,720-watt Naim for Bentley sound system. Other features include a heated steering wheel, increased driver assistance aids and unique quilted seats.