- Bentley’s upcoming electric SUV will be smaller than the Bentayga.
- Initial customer reception to a small, luxury SUV has been high, per the automaker.
- The upcoming SUV will have a boxier, more chunky look.
Electrification is a touchy topic nowadays. While some brands have fully dedicated EV lineups, others remain steadfast in internal combustion. One of those manufacturers that has stuck to big engines is Bentley.
Even though its lineup has hybrid options, full battery electric vehicles have never been in the portfolio, until now.
We spoke to Mike Rocco, CEO of Bentley North America, who gave us more information about the brand’s upcoming smaller EV SUV. He believes it’s poised to help usher the brand forward, but also noted that there has been significant interest in a vehicle of this type.
Future SUVs 2026-2030: Bentley Urban SUV
Photo by: Theophilus Chin | Motor1
“We cliniced the car over the last six weeks in Miami and Los Angeles. Eight out of ten people said that they would buy it. It was something very new and different for Bentley, which is what encouraged us.”
EVs are still a hard sell to many Americans. As automakers feel the fallout from a rollback in incentives, the fact that a car company not known for making electric cars is getting positive results from potential buyers could signal the start of something new. But, Rocco made it clear that this new Bentley SUV won’t be marketed as a full electric vehicle, as its main purpose is to be a Bentley that happens to be electrified.
“So, and when we come to market with the car, we’re not going to market it as a BEV. We’re going to market it as the next Bentley or the new Bentley. People will know what it is, obviously. But the focus will not be around the BEV; it will be around “this is the next Bentley.”
Along with Bentley’s claims of a warm welcome for an electrified model, we learned a little bit more about the actual SUV itself. While we still don’t have any photos or know much about the car, we were given some insight into how the upcoming model will look compared to other vehicles in the Bentley lineup.
Bentley ‘Urban SUV’ Rendering by Motor1
Photo by: Theophilus Chin | Motor1
“We’re promoting it as an urban SUV. So, smaller, a little boxier on the outside. Interior-wise, pretty much the same space as it has been taken.”
An “urban SUV” hints that this is a much smaller model than the Bentayga, potentially closer in size to a BMW X5 or X3. The design concept also seems to differ from other Bentleys, as nothing else in the brand’s lineup has a boxy look. However, this does make sense given how design trends for SUVs are swinging back to chunky, off-road-looking vehicles.
There is little information on when this next SUV will launch or even its price, but given that it has already been designed and market-tested, it seems like it’s only a matter of time before we get to see it.
Motor1 Take: Bentley’s upcoming SUV could be a game-changer for the brand. The market for smaller luxury SUVs is large, and if they can provide an electric powertrain that delivers plenty of power and a long driving range, this could be the brand’s new cash cow.
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