SUVs have become the vehicle of choice for both mainstream and luxury car buyers. Automakers, big and small, are focusing on profitable segments, with Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Lamborghini and others entering the space. Increased competition is always welcome, but not all SUVs share the same performance attributes.
A new video from Carwow pits a Bentley Bentayga S against a Land Rover Range Rover. Both SUVs completed a series of off-road challenges that put their abilities to the test. However, this isn’t your typical performance test, with horsepower and torque taking a back seat to ground clearance and turning radius.
152 Photo
Powering the Land Rover is a twin-turbocharged 4.4 liter V8 engine. It produces 530 horsepower (395 kilowatts) and 553 pound-feet (750 Newton-meters) of torque. The Bentayga packs a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that is smaller, but produces more power, producing 550 hp (410 kW) and 567 lb-ft (770 Nm) of torque.
The Bentley is lighter at 5,324 pounds (2,415 kilograms) compared to the 5,533-lb (2,510-kg) Land Rover. However, it suffers where it matters for an off-road vehicle – ground clearance. Bentayga has worse approach, departure and break-over angles. It also rises closer to the ground – 9.7 inches (247 millimeters) to 11.6 inches (295 mm) – and the difference is pretty clear.
This has been a problem for Bentley, failing to complete the last two challenges. The overhangs were too long, and the SUV slid too low to the ground to safely test. However, Land Rover finished every event, securing a clear win over Bentayga.
Bentley’s only win came early in the drag race uphill. It suffers from maneuverability challenges, where the Land Rover’s rear-wheel steering helps it navigate tight corners. Land Rover also beat Bentley in a downhill challenge.
Both the new Land Rover Range Rover and Bentley Bentayga S are expensive SUVs that rarely see off-road terrain. However, if you have to choose between one or the other for off-road fun, the Land Rover seems like the perfect vehicle. The shorter overhang, locking differential, and additional ground clearance make it an off-road superstar, even if the high price tag would discourage many owners from using it to its full potential.
