Skip to main content

Shall we take the Bentley or the Rolls? Rolls-Royce is still pondering an SUV

If Rolls-Royce’s cars weren’t big enough, the British brand is considering its very own SUV.

As ridiculous as that sounds, it makes sense. There are two car segments doing very well in the 21st century: luxury vehicles and crossovers. And the place where the two meet is the sales sweet spot.

Recommended Videos

That’s why we’ve seen a big push from nearly every luxury automaker to produce increasing numbers of car-based CUV variants in recent years. Although they’re on the ‘cheap’ side, think the BMW X1 and forthcoming Mercedes-Benz GLA and the Infiniti Q30 crossovers for perfect example.

Eager to join in on the sales momentum of luxury crossovers, high-rolling brands like Bentley and Lamborghini aim to join the SUV market with their own opulent offerings. And now it looks like Rolls-Royce just might follow suit.

In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes said, “We are intensively thinking about entering the SUV segment.”

This is exciting news, as Bentley won’t be the only big, British SUV offering – you know, ignoring Range Rover. The promised Bentley SUV will be based upon the new Audi Q5 platform while a Rolls-Royce could be underpinned by the refreshed X5. Essentially, Audi and Bimmer would be fighting a proxy war between Rolls and Bentley. And when German automakers fight, we motoring enthusiasts win.

There’s no word yet when such a high-riding Rolls could go into production – let alone be unveiled. We suspect Rolls will wait to see how both its new Wraith ‘sports car’ does before venturing out into uncharted territory. We wonder what they might name an SUV. Our suggestion? The Churchill.

As soon as we hear more about a Rolls-Royce SUV, we’ll be sure to bring it to you.

Nick Jaynes
Former Automotive Editor
Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…
This week in EV tech: Audi exemplifies auto industry’s EV holding pattern
Close-up of 2025 Audi SQ5 grille, headlight, and badge.

The road to the future runs through the present, and it’s not a straight line. This week, we’re focusing on how Audi is negotiating the twists and turns on the way to an electrified future. EVs are here to stay at Audi, but a gasoline crossover SUV is still the automaker’s bestselling model, and it’s not ready to risk those sales just yet. That’s why the 2025 Audi Q5 received a top-to-bottom overhaul for this model year, bringing its tech features and styling up to date without altering the what has proven to be a very popular package. By maintaining parallel lineups of electric and internal-combustion cars, Audi hopes to give customers more choices. But that doesn’t completely level the playing field. The new Q5 may have yesterday’s powertrain, but Audi isn’t holding back on tech. It features the same electrical architecture, operating system, and three-screen dashboard display as the latest Audi EVs, like the Q6 e-tron. So aside from a little engine noise, there’s little difference in what you can see and interact with from the driver’s seat. It’s not just the infotainment systems. The Q5 and Q6 e-tron are close in size, with similar space for passengers across their two rows of seats. The Q6 e-tron has a bit more cargo space, but not as much as you’d think given the lack of a bulky engine, transmission, and driveshafts. The two SUVs also have similar styling but, having now driven both, we can say that the Q5 is the more pleasant of the two.

More than a difference of powertrain tech

Read more
Take a peek inside the factory making tomorrow’s ride
A Zoox robotaxi.

Amazon-owned Zoox has opened its first facility producing fully autonomous robotaxis. 

A video (above) released by the California-based company offers a peek inside the factory, which, when it reaches full capacity, could roll out as many as 10,000 autonomous vehicles per year.

Read more
The week in EV tech: 900 miles, 12 minutes—EV charging just hit warp speed
byd 900 miles 12 minutes seal

Welcome to Digital Trends’ weekly recap of the revolutionary technology powering, connecting, and now driving next-gen electric vehicles. 
If you’re hesitant about electric vehicles (EV), it’s likely that your top concerns include how far you can drive in a single charge, how long it takes to charge the battery, and how much this advanced tech will cost you. And you're not alone.
According to Deloitte’s 2025 Global Automotive Consumer Study, nearly half of U.S. consumers (49%) still say that available battery driving range is their biggest worry about EVs. That’s followed closely by the time required to charge (46%) and the lingering cost premium (44%) associated with battery electric vehicles.
But that narrative may finally be flipping. Just this past week, two developments showcase how much EV technology has evolved over the past decade: China’s BYD is breaking new grounds on just how far you can drive an EV on a single 12-minute charge. Meanwhile, the Nissan Leaf, seen as the first mass-market EV in 2010, is getting an impressive upgrade even as it remains one of the most affordable options on the market.

BYD’s bold battery bet
Chinese auto giant BYD, already the world’s top-selling EV manufacturer, may have just redrawn the limits of battery performance. According to Chinese media, and other reports, the company is testing a new solid-state battery that can add 900 miles of range in just 12 minutes of charging.
Let that sink in. That’s nearly four times the range of many current EVs—enough to drive from New York to Chicago —and charging that’s as fast as a coffee stop.

Read more