The 2017 Bentley Bentayga is the first SUV from the automaker and is befitting the name. The Bentayga may fall closer to the Continental than it does the Mulsanne, but we're guessing most only care that it's a Bentley. If bigger is better, then best must be city buses with quilted leather, polished chrome, and lacquered wood on every visible surface.
Pros Abundant luxury Incredible speed Silent interior Alarmingly flat
Cons Shocking price tag Undeniable resemblance to Q7 Small-ish back seat Thirsty W-12, even with cylinder deactivation
Everything about the Bentayga is mega, from the price to the performance. With a 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 under the hood, the Bentayga promises a sprint to 60 mph in 4 seconds, making it one of the quickest production SUVs around. Advanced suspension components work to keep this hefty SUV flat when cornering yet comfortable on the highway. There's even some off-road capability thrown in for good measure.
Pros Incredible luxury and craftsmanship Powerful engine and quick acceleration Legitimate off-road capability Optional seating for up to seven
Cons Base model is lacking in features, especially for the price Limited rear-seat and cargo room
Bentley calls the Bentayga the fastest, most powerful, most luxurious, and most exclusive SUV in the world. That’s a big claim, and Bentley is correct except where “most powerful” is concerned. The British luxury company seems to have forgotten about the Austrian brick with Stuttgart parents conceived in Affalterbach: the Mercedes-AMG G65. This might be the fastest, quickest internal-combustion SUV ever, but just like the ability to seat seven people (which will be an option), the 187-mph top speed is a marketing tool that most will never take advantage of. The reality is that the Bentayga isn’t going to sell on its cornering behavior; it’ll sell on its price and its looks. when you consider what you can get for half as much money. Namely, a Range Rover. Which, in supercharged V-8 form, is certainly quick enough (0-60 in 4.4 seconds) and is almost as luxurious inside. Then again, the Range Rover doesn’t stand out from the crowd in Beverly Hills or Dubai. And that’s likely the most important reason for choosing a Bentayga—at least until the world’s chic shopping districts are littered with them.
For those needing the performance of a supercar and the space and comfort of a family SUV, the Audi RS Q8 is quite possibly the perfect solution.
Pros Stunning performance Glorious engine sound Superb ride Interior comfort and space
Cons 48V 'mild hybrid' not a hybrid Steering lacks a little feel 2.3 tonnes is a lot of weight to hustle through corners
The RS Q8 is a new addition to the Q8 lineup for 2020. Audi is going after the AMGs and BMW Ms of the world with the new RS version of its Q8 mid-size SUV. The 2020 Audi RS Q8 comes standard with a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 engine making 591 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque, with standard Quattro all-wheel drive to put all that power to the ground and an upgraded suspension and brakes to ensure it handles and stops as well as it goes. It looks a lot more aggressive than the standard Q8, too, thanks to 22-inch wheels, a wider body, and a rear spoiler. It will go on sale in the U.S. sometime in 2020.
2020 Audi RS Q8 will undoubtedly be a huge hit in the segment.With Lamborghini-esque power under the hood and the very latest Audi refinement in the cabin, it brings all the good stuff needed to run against the top competitors from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche.
Pros More aggressive styling Lamborghini engine under the hood Impressively quick for a big SUV
Cons How will it ride compared to the Merc and Bimmer? Competition isn’t slowing down anytime soon Might steal a few sales from the Lambo
