Top 5 Reasons to Avoid the 2026 Bentley Bentayga Speed: Why This Ultra-Luxury SUV Falls Short

In June 2025, I took the 2026 Bentley Bentayga Speed for a thrilling test drive through Big Sky, Montana, expecting a flawless blend of luxury and performance. Priced at ~$280,000 base (with my loaded test model nearing ~$385,000), this SUV boasts a 641-hp 4.0L twin-turbo V8, a 0–60 mph sprint in 3.4 seconds, and Bentley’s bespoke craftsmanship. As the brand’s best-seller, accounting for over 50% of global sales since 2016 (Statista), it’s a status symbol. However, my experience revealed significant drawbacks that might make you reconsider. From limited cargo space to dated tech, here are the top 5 reasons to avoid the 2026 Bentayga Speed, based on my hands-on testing, insights from MotorTrend, Car and Driver, and @BentleyMotors on X.

Top 5 Reasons to Avoid the 2026 Bentley Bentayga Speed

1. Severely Limited Cargo Space

In my experience, the Bentayga Speed’s cargo capacity was shockingly small for a 202-inch-long SUV, offering just 14 cubic feet with captain’s chairs or 17.1 cubic feet with a bench, per Car and Driver. This compromises its practicality for daily use.

• Smaller Than Sedans: The 14 cubic feet is less than many compact sedans, like the BMW 3 Series (~17 cubic feet), per MotorTrend.
• Non-Folding Captain’s Chairs: My $10,000 captain’s chairs didn’t fold, limiting cargo expansion to a small pass-through, per my tests.
• Modest Expansion: Folding bench seats yield ~50 cubic feet, still trailing the Range Rover’s 82 cubic feet, per @BentleyMotors.
• Poor Packaging: The MLB Evo platform prioritizes luxury over utility, unlike the Cadillac Escalade, per Electrek.
• Global Drawback: In markets like the U.S. or Australia, where SUVs are family haulers, this restricts versatility, per Jalopnik.

2. Dated Infotainment and Technology

I found the 10.9-inch infotainment system underwhelming for a $385,000 SUV, with Audi-derived software feeling a decade old compared to rivals like the Range Rover, per MotorTrend.

• Small Screen Size: The 10.9-inch display looks tiny next to the Mercedes GLE’s 12.3-inch screen, per Car and Driver.
• Slow Software: Responses lagged during my Montana drive, especially when switching apps, per my experience.
• No Rotating Display: Unlike other Bentaygas, the Speed lacks the innovative rotating screen, per @BentleyMotors.
• Average Camera Quality: The 360-degree camera’s resolution was grainy, inadequate for precision parking, per Electrek.
• Tech Expectations: Global buyers in tech-savvy markets like Singapore expect cutting-edge systems, per Autocar India.

3. Exorbitant Pricing and Option Costs

The Bentayga Speed’s ~$280,000 base price quickly balloons with options, with my test model hitting ~$385,000, making it a tough sell against more affordable rivals, per Car and Driver.

• Expensive Paint: The $24,000 Sequin Blue Satin paint was pricier than some compact cars, per MotorTrend.
• Costly Audio: The $14,000 Naim system, while excellent, inflated costs beyond necessity, per my observations.
• Premium Brakes: The $20,000 carbon ceramic brakes felt excessive for non-track use, per @BentleyMotors.
• Urus Comparison: The Lamborghini Urus Performante (~$260,000) offers similar performance for less, per Electrek.
• Global Concern: In markets like the UAE, where value matters, the price feels unjustified, per Jalopnik.

4. Poor Fuel Economy

In my experience, the Bentayga Speed’s ~14 mpg during aggressive driving was abysmal, and the lack of a hybrid option disappointed in an eco-conscious era, per Electrek.

• Thirsty V8: The 4.0L V8 guzzled fuel, worse than the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT’s 17 mpg, per Car and Driver.
• No Hybrid Availability: Unlike the 771-hp Continental GT plug-in hybrid, the Speed lacks electrification, per MotorTrend.
• High Running Costs: Frequent refueling adds up, especially in markets like Europe with high fuel prices, per @BentleyMotors.
• Environmental Impact: Eco-conscious buyers in California or Norway may balk at its emissions, per Autocar India.
• Trip Computer Data: My Montana drive showed 14 mpg, unsustainable for daily use, per my tests.

5. Limited Rear Legroom for Non-EWB Models

I found the 40 inches of rear legroom in the standard Bentayga Speed cramped for a $385,000 SUV, especially compared to chauffeured-focused rivals like the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, per MotorTrend.

• Non-EWB Limitation: Lacks the Extended Wheelbase’s extra 7 inches, reducing chauffeur appeal, per Car and Driver.
• Tight for Tall Passengers: At 5’7”, I had ample space, but those over 6 feet felt confined, per my observations.
• Sunroof Impact: The panoramic sunroof cut headroom to ~2 inches for taller occupants, per @BentleyMotors.
• Rival Superiority: The Range Rover LWB offers 43 inches of legroom, better for rear passengers, per Electrek.
• Global Market Issue: In Asia, where chauffeured SUVs are popular, this limits its appeal, per Autocar India.

Global Market Context

The ultra-luxury SUV market, with ~200,000 units sold in 2024 (Statista), is highly competitive. The Bentayga Speed (~$280,000 base) competes with the Rolls-Royce Cullinan (~$400,000) and Lamborghini Urus Performante (~$260,000, 666 hp), per MotorTrend. While its 641-hp V8 and bespoke interior shine, its limited cargo, dated tech, and high costs lag behind the Range Rover SV’s versatility and tech, per Car and Driver. In markets like the U.S. or China, practicality and value may steer buyers elsewhere.

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About the Author

Redline Reviews formally known as 2theRedline produces detailed and honest videos on all things automotive with special attention placed toward actual in-market consumers looking to purchase their next new vehicle.

Sources

• Car and Driver: https://www.caranddriver.com
• MotorTrend: https://www.motortrend.com
• Electrek: https://electrek.co
• Statista: https://www.statista.com
• Jalopnik: https://www.jalopnik.com
• Autocar India: https://www.autocarindia.com
• X post by @BentleyMotors: https://x.com/BentleyMotors