Bentley Mulsanne Speed 2020 Review

The 2020 Bentley Mulsanne is a hand-built homage to opulence and British luxury. It's one of the largest and most expensive vehicles on the road today and features a seemingly endless list of options. It's also one of the oldest cars around from a generational standpoint — Bentley has been selling this version of the Mulsanne for a decade now. Yet age hasn't diminished the Mulsanne's appeal as the equivalent of a rolling English manor house.

It won't be a surprise to learn that the Mulsanne is expensive. Adding options can quickly send the price even higher. For the price of a Mulsanne you could buy an Audi A8, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes S-Class and still have money left over. Then again, the Mulsanne almost seems like a bargain compared to its main rival, the Rolls-Royce Phantom.

Which Mulsanne does MatoCar recommend?

Bentley offers two versions of the Mulsanne to suit customer needs. The Mulsanne is powered by a turbocharged 6.75-liter V8 (505 horsepower, 752 lb-ft of torque). There's also the Mulsanne Speed, which uses the same V8 and produces 530 hp and 811 lb-ft of torque.

The standard Mulsanne starts you off with:

• 20-inch wheels
• Air ride suspension with adjustable ride height
• Soft-close doors and trunk, LED headlights and taillights
• Keyless entry and ignition
• Sunroof
• Parking sensors

Interior equipment highlights include:

• Four-zone automatic climate control with a separate rear-seat control panel
• 14-way power-adjustable front seats and eight-way adjustable rear seats (all with heating)
• Power rear-window privacy screens
• 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system and 14-speaker stereo

Bentley offers a number of packages that add significant upgrades to this already lavish vehicle and nearly limitless options for customization. One-off items such as a drink cabinet with a bottle cooler, extra vanity mirrors and power curtains are available. Special colors, veneers, embroidery and even jewelry boxes are at one's fingertips. Package highlights include:

The Comfort Specification adds:

• Massage and ventilation to both front seats and the rear outboard seats
• Special comfort headrests with faux suede pads and two extra loose cushions
• Airline-style reclining seats with footrests (only on the extended-wheelbase Mulsanne)

The Premier Specification adds:

• Flying B hood ornament and stainless-steel door pillar finishers
• Two umbrellas, a valet key, and a remote-control garage door opener
• Veneered cellphone drawer for the front center console

The Entertainment Specification adds:

• Dual 10.4-inch rear-seat tablets (usable outside the car) and veneered picnic tables
• Naim sound system

Finally, the Mulliner Driving Specification adds:

• Special 21-inch wheels and a sport-tuned suspension with driver-selectable modes
• Diamond-quilted and perforated seats and door panels
• Leather headliner and uniquely machined shift lever, air vent controls, and interior door handles