The Great SUV Debate: Bentley Bans Taker vs Range Rover Sport SVR

In our previous tests, we pitted two Titans against each other to see if the new Bentley Bans Taker can match the Range Rover Sport SVR. So far, we've tested rough terrain capability and a Range Rover specialism. While the SVR emerged on top in these tests, the Bans Taker was surprisingly impressive.

Now it's time for the open road and a chance for Bentley's luxury touring credentials to come to the fore. The question is: will the Range Rovers spec really be able to compete? The Range Rover Sport was the first car to get the SVR badge, different headlights, different bumpers, and a different rear valance. It's very smart, and I actually think the interior is nicer than the Bans Taker in terms of modernity and sparseness. However, do you really want something sparse when you're paying six-figure sums? As Jonny personally prefers, "I want the full treatment."

The Bentley SUV definitely feels luxurious like walking into a top-end jeweler, with attention to detail that includes double-glazed roof, making it feel very cosseted and preened. The interior is modern but also sparse in some areas, which might not appeal to everyone. On the other hand, the Bans Taker's luxurious atmosphere was undeniable as Jonny described feeling "very cosseted and preened" after entering the car.

When it comes to packaging a car that goes fast, corners well, climbs rough terrain, and paths, it requires a huge amount of engineering. The SVR feels like a Swiss Army knife of SUVs, and one has to appreciate this level of engineering to understand how well-designed it is. However, Jonny prefers the Bans Taker's ability to balance power and size.

After off-roading, I decided to play with my settings to see if there's any improvement in comfort for me. Instantly, the suspension becomes softer, making things feel more relaxed, while Vicky was clearly enjoying herself in the Bans Taker. On the other hand, driving the Range Rover Sport became increasingly difficult due to its brash nature, which doesn't sit well with Jonny.

It wasn't long before Jonny decided to leave the Range Rover Sport behind and get into the Bans Taker once more. As he settled in, the car seemed to calm him down significantly, making it easier for him to appreciate its qualities. In contrast, the Bans Taker's ability to make noise while driving was certainly noticeable.

In terms of fuel efficiency, both cars have similar low 20s MPG ratings over here, but Jonny prefers the Bans Taker for one reason: the way it puts you in control with good use of power and size on the road. This made him feel more comfortable behind the wheel.

Throughout our testing process, we've come to realize that the Bans Taker has a unique selling point - how it hides its sheer bulk under the bonnet and wheels. With light controls and a smooth ride, Jonny found himself preferring the Bans Taker's handling over the SVR.

As we continue to test these high-performance SUVs, one thing is clear: each car brings its own strengths and weaknesses that must be weighed carefully when considering which choice is right for our readers.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: ennow back to our performance SUV dogfight we're pitting two Titans against each other to see if the new Bentley ban taker can match the Range Rover Sport SVR so far we've tested rough terrain capability a Range Rover specialism and even though the SVR emerged on top the been taker was surprisingly impressive but now it's the open road and a chance for Bentley's luxury touring credentials to come to the fore will the Range Rovers spec really be able to compete the Range Rover Sport was the first car to get the SVR badge different headlights different bumpers different rear valance it's very smart I actually think the interior is nicer than the been tiger in terms of modernity and sparseness but do you really want something sparse when you're paying six-figure sums Jonny personally I want the full treatment this Bentley SUV definitely feels luxurious like I walked into a top-end jeweler and I fell very cosseted and preened dand fussed over I mean even the roof is double glazed attention to detail the Bentley might have the bling but the SVR feels like a Swiss Army knife of SUVs you have to appreciate that in order to package a car like this that goes fast can corner can climb rocky rutti horrible mountains and paths this is a huge amount of engineering well engineered the SVR definitely is but I'd like a bit difficult team to and my ride was about to get even better so I'm gonna have a little play with my settings after that off-roading malarkey I think comfort for me for now instantly the suspension becomes softer and things just go out and down a bit while Vicky was clearly chilling out in the Bentley the Range Rover was now beginning to wind me up I feel outside of my comfort zone driving this even though I'm in comfort mode because it's just a car which doesn't sit with my personality it's too brash even with the active exhaust kind of toned down it's still ridiculous now this is it with it on quiet that's all quiet bb8 to Johnny how are you getting on crucially for me it doesn't deliver a rewarding exciting Drive would you like to get out of that car and into the bent a go yes please if that's okay just sitting in the Bentley seemed to calm Johnny down Vicky I've got a question 130 hours to build by the hands of 53 artisans what is an artisan someone who makes pretty bread well this is very attractive robust bread so far I'd struggle with the concept of a performance SUV on the road but maybe the Bentley was beginning to win me over it's very quiet in here 2.4 tonnes of double glazed palatial quite traditional surroundings and it is a very relaxing place to be meanwhile the Range Rovers more sporty character was definitely bringing out the inner hooligan in me that noise is pretty Walker's people will know when you are coming and when you are departing definitely the ride is firmer in this I feel like I'm sitting much higher than I was in the been taker and it definitely feels like a Range Rover up here fuel economy and both of them it isn't great this is marginally better but still low 20s MPG over in luxury land I was really beginning to understand what the pen taker was all about there's no doubting the way in which Bentley has hidden the sheer bulk of this car on the road the controls are light the ride of the Bann Teagan I prefer to the Range Rover and SVR I think and like Johnny had discovered aspects of the Range Rover were now proving less appealing I like the fact that you put your foot down in this car it makes noise and it goes but it is big and brash and bold and on the road I prefer the suc loyalty and the really good use of power and size that the Bentley offers so on tarmac I'll take the Bentley so round two goes to the Bentley as a road car it simply does a better job of wafting you from A to B younow back to our performance SUV dogfight we're pitting two Titans against each other to see if the new Bentley ban taker can match the Range Rover Sport SVR so far we've tested rough terrain capability a Range Rover specialism and even though the SVR emerged on top the been taker was surprisingly impressive but now it's the open road and a chance for Bentley's luxury touring credentials to come to the fore will the Range Rovers spec really be able to compete the Range Rover Sport was the first car to get the SVR badge different headlights different bumpers different rear valance it's very smart I actually think the interior is nicer than the been tiger in terms of modernity and sparseness but do you really want something sparse when you're paying six-figure sums Jonny personally I want the full treatment this Bentley SUV definitely feels luxurious like I walked into a top-end jeweler and I fell very cosseted and preened dand fussed over I mean even the roof is double glazed attention to detail the Bentley might have the bling but the SVR feels like a Swiss Army knife of SUVs you have to appreciate that in order to package a car like this that goes fast can corner can climb rocky rutti horrible mountains and paths this is a huge amount of engineering well engineered the SVR definitely is but I'd like a bit difficult team to and my ride was about to get even better so I'm gonna have a little play with my settings after that off-roading malarkey I think comfort for me for now instantly the suspension becomes softer and things just go out and down a bit while Vicky was clearly chilling out in the Bentley the Range Rover was now beginning to wind me up I feel outside of my comfort zone driving this even though I'm in comfort mode because it's just a car which doesn't sit with my personality it's too brash even with the active exhaust kind of toned down it's still ridiculous now this is it with it on quiet that's all quiet bb8 to Johnny how are you getting on crucially for me it doesn't deliver a rewarding exciting Drive would you like to get out of that car and into the bent a go yes please if that's okay just sitting in the Bentley seemed to calm Johnny down Vicky I've got a question 130 hours to build by the hands of 53 artisans what is an artisan someone who makes pretty bread well this is very attractive robust bread so far I'd struggle with the concept of a performance SUV on the road but maybe the Bentley was beginning to win me over it's very quiet in here 2.4 tonnes of double glazed palatial quite traditional surroundings and it is a very relaxing place to be meanwhile the Range Rovers more sporty character was definitely bringing out the inner hooligan in me that noise is pretty Walker's people will know when you are coming and when you are departing definitely the ride is firmer in this I feel like I'm sitting much higher than I was in the been taker and it definitely feels like a Range Rover up here fuel economy and both of them it isn't great this is marginally better but still low 20s MPG over in luxury land I was really beginning to understand what the pen taker was all about there's no doubting the way in which Bentley has hidden the sheer bulk of this car on the road the controls are light the ride of the Bann Teagan I prefer to the Range Rover and SVR I think and like Johnny had discovered aspects of the Range Rover were now proving less appealing I like the fact that you put your foot down in this car it makes noise and it goes but it is big and brash and bold and on the road I prefer the suc loyalty and the really good use of power and size that the Bentley offers so on tarmac I'll take the Bentley so round two goes to the Bentley as a road car it simply does a better job of wafting you from A to B you\n"