Compare the2023 Bentley BentaygaVS 2023 Audi SQ5

The Bentayga has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The SQ5 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the Bentayga helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then projects the image on the windshield, near the driver’s line of sight. The SQ5 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Bentayga and the SQ5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available lane departure warning systems.

The Bentley Bentayga weighs 1038 to 1550 pounds more than the Audi SQ5. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Bentayga comes with a full 3-year/unlimited-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The SQ5’s 50,000-mile basic warranty expires sooner.

The Bentayga Hybrid’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 94 more horsepower (443 vs. 349) and 147 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 369) than the SQ5’s 3.0 turbo V6. The Bentayga’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 193 more horsepower (542 vs. 349) and 199 lbs.-ft. more torque (568 vs. 369) than the SQ5’s 3.0 turbo V6. The Bentayga SPEED’s standard 6.0 turbo 12-cylinder produces 277 more horsepower (626 vs. 349) and 295 lbs.-ft. more torque (664 vs. 369) than the SQ5’s 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Bentley Bentayga turbo V8 is faster than the Audi SQ5:

On the EPA test cycle the Bentayga Hybrid running on electricity gets better mileage than the SQ5 (44 city/51 hwy MPGe vs. 19 city/24 hwy MPG).

The Bentayga Hybrid can travel with zero emissions for 18 miles. The SQ5 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Bentayga V8/W12’s fuel efficiency. The SQ5 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Bentayga Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the SQ5 (19.8 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Bentayga’s standard fuel tank has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the SQ5 (22.5 vs. 18.5 gallons).

For better stopping power the Bentayga’s brake rotors are larger than those on the SQ5:

The Bentayga SPEED offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The SQ5 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

For better traction, the Bentayga has larger tires than the SQ5 (285/45R21 vs. 255/45R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Bentayga has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 20-inch wheels are standard on the SQ5. The Bentayga’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the SQ5.

The Bentayga offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The SQ5 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The front and rear suspension of the Bentayga uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the SQ5, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The Bentayga offers an available active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Audi doesn’t offer an active suspension on the SQ5.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Bentayga V8’s wheelbase is 6.9 inches longer than on the SQ5 (117.9 inches vs. 111 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Bentayga is 2.9 inches wider in the front and 3.9 inches wider in the rear than on the SQ5.

The Bentayga SPEED handles at .93 G’s, while the SQ5 Prestige pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Bentayga SPEED executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the SQ5 Prestige (24.6 seconds @ .79 average G’s vs. 25.7 seconds @ .73 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Bentayga has a 1.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the SQ5 (9.7 vs. 8.2 inches), allowing the Bentayga to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Bentayga offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the SQ5 can only carry 5.

The Bentayga’s cargo area provides more volume than the SQ5.

The Bentayga EWB’s cargo area provides more volume than the SQ5.

The Bentayga’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the SQ5’s (7165 vs. 4400 pounds).

Standard Trailer Sway Mitigation on the Bentayga (except Hybrid) uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The SQ5 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Bentayga has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The SQ5 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Bentayga’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the SQ5.

The Bentayga EWB’s optional power side swing out doors make it much easier to load and unload kids and cargo. One touch opens the door, before you even get to the sport utility. The SQ5 doesn’t offer a power rear door.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Bentayga has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The SQ5 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the Bentayga offers optional dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The SQ5 doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

Optional air conditioned front and second row seats keep the Bentayga’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The SQ5 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The Bentayga has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the SQ5.

The Bentayga offers optional massaging front and second row seats, which keep the driver and middle row passengers. Massaging seats aren’t available in the SQ5.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Bentley Bentayga has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) on the dashboard and one for the rear passengers. Wireless charging costs extra on the SQ5.