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- Highs Gorgeous exterior styling, posh cabin, nicely balanced chassis.
- Lows Expensive to start, expensive to add options, gas-guzzling powertrains.
- Verdict When it comes to elegance, luxury, power, and presence in a two-door grand tourer, the Continental GT cannot be beat.
Overview
Not only is the 2021 Bentley Continental GT the definition of a grand-touring car, it wears that moniker proudly at the end of its name. No matter if you choose the hardtop coupe or softtop convertible, the sonorous V-8 or silken V-12, the Continental GT will make you feel like a celebrity on every outing. Unfortunately, you might need to be a celebrity to afford its six-figure price. For that considerable outlay, Bentley decks out the Continental GT's cabin with fine leather, genuine wood, metal accents, and all manner of modern connectivity features. Where the Continental GT really shines, though, is on the road, where it can flex its ample power and demonstrate its near perfect balance of comfort and athleticism.
What's New for 2021?
Bentley has made only a few changes to the Conti GT for the 2021 model year. Chief among them is a new panoramic glass roof that's available on the V-8-powered coupe. Otherwise, the grand-touring two-door receives an updated steering wheel design and three new colors: Viridian, Patina, and Snow Quartz.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Curiously, we prefer the least expensive of the Continental GT's four quite-expensive models, the Continental GT V8 coupe. Bentley's V-8 is a finely polished gem of an engine that gives up a touch of peak horsepower to the W-12 but makes for a coupe that's every bit as quick in real-world conditions. It's only at very high speeds that the W-12 engine's increased horsepower makes a difference. And while we like the wind in our hair as much as the next guy, we'd choose the coupe because, to our eye, the arching roofline ties together the car's style in a truly elegant way.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Updated versions of the existing V-8 and W-12 engines that powered the previous-generation Continental GT provide plenty of power. Our testing revealed that the V-8, which makes 542 horses, can launch the coupe to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds. The more expensive W-12 engine produces 626 horsepower and can motivate a coupe to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds. Both use an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that snaps off super-quick but smooth gearshifts. Customers can order the coupe or convertible with either engine. And all Continental GTs come with an all-wheel-drive system as standard.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
When a twin-turbo V-8 is the most fuel-efficient offering in a particular model, you know that efficiency is not top of mind for the carmaker—or its customers, for that matter. The EPA rates the Continental V-8 at 16 mpg city and 26 highway. In our real-world testing, we averaged 28 mpg in a V-8 model over 200 miles of highway driving.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
We expect a luxurious cabin from anything wearing the Bentley badge, and this two-door is no different. The interior is swathed in aromatic leather and fine wood veneers, and nearly everything about the Continental GT is customizable—for a price. Bentley's designers thought everything through, and each time behind the wheel reveals a surprising detail, such as expertly knurled control knobs and double-stitched diamond-patterned seat trim. Although the Continental GT technically has seatbelts for four occupants, we'd suggest you avoid using the rear seat for hauling adult-size people since its leg- and headroom are both limited. In our testing, we were able to fit five carry-on suitcases in the Continental's trunk—plenty of space for a weekend away with your favorite travel companion.
Infotainment and Connectivity
A 12.3-inch infotainment display dominates the dashboard and can be made to rotate into the dash, bringing up a panel with three small analog gauges showing you the exterior air temperature, the time, and a compass. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability are standard, as is a digital gauge display that allows the driver to control most of the Continental GT's functions using controls on the steering wheel. The Continental GT offers two optional audio systems: a $6700 Bang & Olufsen arrangement and a truly spectacular $8800 Naim system.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
This vehicle has not been rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Bentley offers as options driver-assistance features such as adaptive cruise control, a night-vision system, and automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection—items we'd expect to be standard, considering the steep starting price. Key safety features include:
- Available automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Available lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Available adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Rather than put mileage limits on the Continental GT's standard warranty policies, Bentley covers everything for three years regardless of how far the car is driven. The company also provides the first maintenance visit with their compliments at one year or 10,000 miles.
Specifications
Specifications
2019 Bentley Continental GT
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 2-door coupe
PRICE AS TESTED
$275,325 (base price: $219,925)
ENGINE TYPE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 48-valve W-12, aluminum block and heads, port and direct injection
Displacement
363 in3, 5952 cm3
Power
626 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque
664 lb-ft @ 1350 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed dual-clutch automatic with manual shifting mode
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): control arms/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 16.5-in vented disc/15.0-in vented disc
Tires: Pirelli P Zero (PZ4), F: 265/40ZR-21 (105Y) R: 305/35ZR-21 (109Y)
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 112.2 in
Length: 190.9 in
Width: 76.9 in
Height: 55.3 in
Trunk volume: 13 ft3
Curb weight: 5056 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.3 sec
100 mph: 7.6 sec
130 mph: 12.8 sec
150 mph: 17.5 sec
160 mph: 20.9 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 4.3 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 2.3 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 2.8 sec
¼-mile: 11.5 sec @ 123 mph
Top speed (mfr's claim): 207 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 163 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.98 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 16 mpg
EPA FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST)
Combined/city/highway: 16/13/22 mpg