Bentley Bentayga Hybrid: what the critics are saying about the ‘palatial‘ £155,500 car

With this electric plug-in version of the Bentayga, Bentley seems to be offering a “perfect blend of opulence, power and frugality”, but it doesn’t quite deliver on that, says The Daily Telegraph. It’s still a 2.6-tonne SUV, after all. And while it offers “palatial splendour” and comfort, there are other, more powerful, plug-in hybrids out there, such as the Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q8, which cost “considerably less cash”.

The Bentayga offers three modes; EV-only, Hybrid and (battery preserving) Hold – all selected via dial, says Car Magazine. The throttle has a tangi­ble barrier between electric and petrol power. Push the pedal so far and you engage only the former; push through and you get the combined power of both. “Like kickdown of yore, it’s simple, effective and intuitive – exactly what you need in a car bristling with technology.”

With a tweaked design that includes a larger, more upright, grille, the updated hybrid is “still a Marmite car visually”, says Auto Express. In EV mode, it has a range of 25 miles and can reach 84mph. You’ll want to conserve that EV power, though, as a full recharge takes at least 2.5 hours. The cabin is luxurious and includes a sophisticated infotainment system, but this model has “little personality on the move”.