2021 Bentley Continental Review

　　

2021 Bentley Continental Review

byMichael CantuCorrespondent

　　Michael Cantu has worked in the automotive industry since 2014. He has written over 800 car-related articles and tested and reviewed over 100 vehicles over the course of his career. Michael is a contributor at zzdcar and has also contributed to MotorTrend, Digital Trends and InsideEVs. Michael was featured on a few InsideEVs YouTube channel videos on the topic of electric vehicles. Michael was a MotorTrend Car of the Year judge for 2019 and was a driver in MotorTrend's World's Greatest Drag Races 7 & 8.

　　Very few vehicles share the exclusivity and customization options that the Bentley Continental GT offers. This $200,000-plus two-door grand tourer is one of the most luxurious vehicles you can buy. It's highly customizable, offers a convertible model and was completely redesigned for the 2020 model year. Its redesign modernized its look, improved its performance and expanded its feature availability, helping the Continental GT maintain its status as one of the most opulent vehicles on the market.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Bentley Continental GT V8 2dr Coupe AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 8AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$230/mo  for Continental GT V8

　　Continental GT V8

　　GT V8 2dr Coupe AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 8AM) - $206,600 MSRPGT V8 2dr Convertible AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 8AM) (Most Popular) - $227,200 MSRPGT 2dr Coupe AWD (6.0L 12cyl Turbo 8AM) - $223,300 MSRPGT 2dr Convertible AWD (6.0L 12cyl Turbo 8AM) - $245,600 MSRPGT V8 Mulliner 2dr Coupe AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 8AM) - $271,800 MSRPGT V8 Mulliner 2dr Convertible AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 8AM) - $292,600 MSRPGT Mulliner 2dr Coupe AWD (6.0L 12cyl Turbo 8AM) - $282,000 MSRPGT Mulliner 2dr Convertible AWD (6.0L 12cyl Turbo 8AM) - $304,500 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　You'll be hard-pressed to find a vehicle that shares the same extraordinary craftsmanship and the same amount of comfort, customization and panache as the 2021 Bentley Continental GT. But it's not alone in this exclusive segment of the market. Its direct competitors are the Rolls-Royce Wraith coupe and the Dawn convertible. Both have starting prices north of $300,000. Other high-end six-figure coupes and convertibles include the Porsche 911 Turbo S and Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe and Cabriolet. Notably, the Rollers and Benzes are discontinued after 2021, leaving the Conti to own its segment.

　　And by owning a Continental GT, you'll set yourself apart and enjoy a driving experience that very few can.

　　

Which Continental does zzdcar recommend?

The top Continental GT trim packs the more powerful W12 engine, but you won't find much of a performance advantage over the base V8 model. That's why we recommend opting for the Continental GT V8 that comes equipped with nearly identical features. Get the Mulliner Specification for additional luxury and customization or the Touring Specification if you like advanced driver aids.

　　

2021 Bentley Continental models

The 2021 Bentley Continental GT is a four-passenger luxury coupe that is also available as a convertible. Its two trim levels are primarily distinguished by their engines. The Continental GT V8 is powered by a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 (542 horsepower, 568 lb-ft of torque), and the Continental GT packs a turbocharged 6.0-liter W12 engine (626 hp, 664 lb-ft). An eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission powers all four wheels through a standard all-wheel-drive system.

　　Continental GT V8

　　The base V8 coupe comes with many luxurious features, but the most notable ones include:

　　20-inch wheels Adaptive air suspension with ride height control Full LED exterior lighting with automatic high-beam headlights Soft-close doors Center trunk pass-through (for longer cargo) Heated and power-folding outside mirrors Front and rear parking sensors Keyless entry and ignition Interior ambient lighting Simulated suede headliner Leather upholstery Wood veneer trim Heated front seats with memory function Cooled and lockable glove compartment 12.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay integration Navigation system Wi-Fi access 10-speaker audio system Advanced driver aids include: Automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time) Passenger safe-exit system (can prevent a passenger from opening a door into traffic approaching from behind) Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention) Continental GT

　　The 12-cylinder Continental GT builds on the V8's features list with:

　　21-inch wheels Bentley Dynamic Ride (a system that keeps body roll in check while cornering)Continental GT V8 and Continental GT Convertible

　　The Convertible models are appointed the same as the coupes with these exceptions:

　　Four-layer power-folding fabric roof Elimination of the trunk pass-throughSeveral bundled option packages are available and include:

　　Mulliner Specification Broader choice of 22-inch wheels and interior colors Diamond-quilted and embroidered upholstery Metal oil and special-finish fuel caps Heated steering wheel Sports pedals Piano black, walnut or Eucalyptus interior trim City Specification Hands-free trunk opener Auto-dimming exterior mirrors Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your path while you're in reverse) Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Continental GT and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Traffic sign recognition Front pedestrian detection Touring Specification Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Bentley and the car in front) Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield) Lane keeping assist (steers the Continental GT back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Traffic Assist (an advanced driver aid system that combines adaptive cruise control and a lane keeping system) Night vision (helps avoid a collision in low-light situations) Upgraded automatic emergency braking system Styling Specification  High-gloss carbon-fiber exterior trim Blackline Specification Black-gloss exterior trim Front Seat Comfort Specification Ventilated front seats Massaging front seats Heated armrests Neck warmer (convertible models) Adjustable headrests, seat bolsters and seat cushion length Bentley Rotating Display Infotainment screen that rotates to reveal three analog instruments Compass gauge Chronograph gauge Outside temperature gauge Diamond-knurled gauges In addition to the endless list of color, wheel, upholstery and trim choices, stand-alone options include:

　　Panoramic glass roof Heated windshield Diamond-knurled accents Wind blocker (no-cost option for convertible models) Leather headliner LED welcome lights Air ionizer Heated steering wheel Premium audio upgrades from Bang & Olufsen or Naim Wireless charging pad

　　

2021 Continental Highlights

Type: CoupeConvertibleConvertible

　　Trim: GT V8GTGT V8 MullinerGT MullinerGT V8

　　

Base MSRP	$227,200
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	19 MPG
Cost to Drive	$230/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	8.3 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / unlimited miles