Compare the2024 BMW X5 MVS 2024 Bentley Bentayga

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the X5 M are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Bentayga doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The BMW X5 M has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Bentayga doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The X5 M has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Bentayga doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The X5 M has a standard Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Bentayga doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The X5 M’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Bentayga.

The X5 M’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Bentayga doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the X5 M and the Bentayga have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, 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 around view monitors.

The BMW X5 M achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Bentayga has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

The X5 M comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Bentayga’s 3-year basic warranty expires 1 year sooner.

The X5 M’s corrosion warranty is 9 years longer than the Bentayga’s (12 vs. 3 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X5 M for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Bentley doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Bentayga.

There are over 7 times as many BMW dealers as there are Bentley dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the X5 M’s warranty.

The X5 M’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 161 more horsepower (617 vs. 456) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 516) than the Bentayga Hybrid’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid. The X5 M’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 75 more horsepower (617 vs. 542) than the Bentayga’s standard 4.0 turbo V8.

The X5 M has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Bentayga Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (21.9 vs. 19.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW X5 M higher (5 out of 10) than the Bentley Bentayga (3). This means the X5 M produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Bentayga every 15,000 miles.

The EPA certifies the BMW X5 M as an “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV). The Bentley Bentayga is only certified to “Low Emissions Vehicle” (LEV) standards.

The X5 M’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Bentayga doesn’t offer launch control.

For better traction, the X5 M has larger tires than the Bentayga (F:295/35R21 & R:315/30R22 vs. 285/45R21).

The X5 M’s 295/35R21 front and 315/30R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Bentayga’s standard 45 series tires. The X5 M’s tires are lower profile than the Bentayga’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 M has standard 22-inch rear wheels. Smaller 21-inch wheels are standard on the Bentayga.

The X5 M is 7 inches shorter than the Bentayga, making the X5 M easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The X5 M has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Bentayga with its rear seat up (33.9 vs. 17.1 cubic feet). The X5 M has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Bentayga with its rear seat folded (72.3 vs. 62.6 cubic feet).

The X5 M’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Bentayga w/Four Seat Comfort Specification doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

The X5 M’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Bentayga’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

If the windows are left open on the X5 M the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Bentayga can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The X5 M’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Bentayga’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The X5 M’s Parking Assistant Professional can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Bentayga’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park and it doesn’t offer remote control parking.

The BMW X5 outsold the Bentley Bentayga by over 39 to one during 2023.