Compare the2024 BMW XMVS 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 XM 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 XM 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 XM 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 XM 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 XM’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 XM’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 XM and the Bentayga have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

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

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the XM 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 XM’s warranty.

The XM’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 188 more horsepower (644 vs. 456) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 516) than the Bentayga Hybrid’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid. The XM’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 102 more horsepower (644 vs. 542) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 568) than the Bentayga’s standard 4.0 turbo V8. The XM Label Red’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 196 more horsepower (738 vs. 542) and 170 lbs.-ft. more torque (738 vs. 568) than the Bentayga’s standard 4.0 turbo V8.

As tested in Car and Driver the BMW XM (base engine) is faster than the Bentley Bentayga turbo V8:

The XM can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 31 miles. The Bentayga Hybrid has to start its internal combustion engine after only 18 miles.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW XM higher (7 out of 10) than the Bentley Bentayga (3). This means the XM produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Bentayga every 15,000 miles.

The XM’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 stopping power the XM’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Bentayga:

The XM stops much shorter than the Bentayga:

For better traction and acceleration, the XM has larger rear tires than the Bentayga (315/30R23 vs. 285/45R21).

The XM’s standard 275/40R22 front and 315/35R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Bentayga’s standard 45 series tires. The XM’s optional 275/35R23 front and 315/30R23 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the Bentayga’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XM has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 21-inch wheels are standard on the Bentayga. The XM’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels optional on the Bentayga.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the XM’s wheelbase is 4.3 inches longer than on the Bentayga (122.2 inches vs. 117.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the XM is 1.5 inches wider in the front than on the Bentayga.

The XM’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (48.9% to 51.1%) than the Bentayga’s (56% to 44%). This gives the XM more stable handling and braking.

The XM handles at .92 G’s, while the Bentayga pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The front grille of the XM uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Bentayga doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The XM has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Bentayga with its rear seat up (18.6 vs. 17.1 cubic feet). The XM has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Bentayga with its rear seat folded (64.3 vs. 62.6 cubic feet).

The XM’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.

A Trailer Stabilization Control is standard on all models of the XM, using the Dynamic 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 Bentayga Hybrid doesn’t offer a trailer sway program.

If the windows are left open on the XM 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 XM’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 XM’s Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Bentayga’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

The BMW XM outsold the Bentley Bentayga by 25% during 2023.