Name: Bentley Continental GT (2018 onwards) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Bentley Continental GT
Rating: 55.0

Summary

The Bentley Continental GT is a large luxury 2+2 coupé. The current model is the third generation and was unveiled at the 2017 Frankfurt motor show and went on sale in 2018.

A heavily updated model was launched in summer 2024, which Bentley is publicly describing as a new ‘fourth-generation’ model, but it’s not really. It’s more of a substantial update to the existing model.

Unlike the first two generations of Continental GT, which were based on a Volkswagen platform, the new model shares its underpinnings with the Porsche Panamera. This has made it a far more dynamic car to drive. The GT was originally launched with a W12 petrol engine, and a new V8 engine option was added in early 2019. The W12 engine was discontinued as part of the 2024 update, effectively replaced by a new V8 plug-in hybrid powertrain.

The Continental GT has a sister convertible model, the GTC. We have a separate page for this car. There is also a saloon relative called the Flying Spur, which shares its platform and a lot of its components with the Continental models.

The Bentley Continental GT has received unanimously positive reviews from the UK motoring media, ranging from good to outstanding. It has received particular praise for its improved driving dynamics and luxurious cabin, with the only real criticisms being that the improved handling has resulted in a small trade-off in ride comfort.

As of January 2025, the Continental GT has a New Car Expert Rating of E, with a score of 55%. Despite the car’s very positive media reviews, the very high running costs and poor reliability record hinder its overall rating.

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Key specifications

Body style: Coupé
Engines: petrol
Price: From £159,100 on-road

Launched: Spring 2018
Last updated: Spring 2019
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert+

Model reviewed: V8
“The Bentley Continental GT V8 is a grand tourer first and foremost. But the weight shed by swapping the W12 out for the V8 gives it real agility in the corners.”
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Auto Express+

Model reviewed: Facelift range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“Bentley’s new plug-in powertrain is a perfect match for the bruising Continental GT Speed, creating the most compelling grand tourer on the market.”
Author: Jordan Katsianis
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Model reviewed: V8
Score: 9 / 10
“Once again the V8-engined Bentley Continental GT is the pick of the Continental range, with performance nearly as good as the W12-engined flagship but improved handling.”
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Model reviewed: 6.0-litre petrol automatic
Score: 9 / 10
“The new Bentley Continental GT covers ground effortlessly, and its sumptuously finished cabin puts rivals to shame. It’s better to drive than before, and the engine is silky smooth; feeling fast and refined in equal measure.”
Read review

Auto Trader+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.2 / 10
“Forget any preconceived ideas about the Bentley Continental GT being nothing but a piece of bling beloved by premiership footballers – this latest model is one of the very best luxury four-seater performance cars you can buy. Choose from the flagship W12 or the slightly sportier V8 – both are brilliant.”
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Car+

Model reviewed: 6.0-litre petrol automatic Speed
Score: 8 / 10
“If to you Bentley is as much about Le Mans glory, immersive driving pleasure and the most genteel application of corrective lock as you give an almighty engine its head, then the Speed is the car for you.”
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Model reviewed: V8
Score: 10 / 10
“Simply put, this Continental is almost as refined as the W12 when you want it to be, but significantly more fun when you don’t.”
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Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.6 / 10
“The Bentley Continental GT has been reborn with improved technology that makes it feel lighter and nimbler than before.”
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Carwow+

Model reviewed: GT coupé range
Score: 9 / 10
“The Bentley Continental GT is as luxurious as a Rolls-Royce but faster and a lot more fun to drive. Unfortunately, this winning combination does not come cheap.”
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Daily Mail+

Score: 10 / 10
“This is definitely the greatest car made in the past 20 years.” (Chris Evans)
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Evo+

Model reviewed: S
Score: 9 / 10
“New Bentley Continental GT ‘S’ model gets no more power than regular V8, but subtle tweaks make it the pick of the range.” (Stuart Gallagher)
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Score: 9 / 10
“The new Bentley Continental GT takes many of its underlying ingredients from the wider VW group, has a snug but useable four-seat cabin and a sense of mass and refinement that come with having an historic badge such as Bentley’s on the bootlid.”
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Model reviewed: V8
Score: 9 / 10
“The driver’s choice amongst the Bentley range and a superb all-round grand tourer.”
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Score: 9 / 10
“The latest Continental represents a giant leap forward, and now offers genuine driver engagement alongside the expected GT brief.”
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Heycar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Bentley Continental GT is a hugely capable all-rounder, with hand-built, sumptuous luxury mixing with mighty performance and, now, a chassis that’s better equipped to enjoy and exploit it. It’s difficult to find fault with as a fast, comfortable grand tourer.”
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Honest John+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“It might be completely outmoded in the days of inexpensive air travel, but the Bentley Continental GT is still utterly relevant in the world of fast, luxurious cars, with a breadth of ability that makes it hugely compelling choice to those who buy it.”
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Motoring Research+

Model reviewed: 4.0-litre petrol/electric plug in hybrid GT Speed (2024 update)
Score: 9 / 10
“Aside from extra weight, the new hybrid V8 offers only advantages over Bentley’s old W12 engine. And the 2024 Bentley Continental GT Speed’s better balance makes it more sporting to drive – along with being supremely comfortable when you leave the Swiss Alps behind.”
Author: Tim Pitt
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Model reviewed: 6.0-litre petrol automatic Speed (pre-facelift)
Score: 10 / 10
“The Continental GT Speed is no wannabe road racer. It has the same pillowy leather, knurled aluminium switches and hand-crafted veneers as any Continental GT. And on Sicilian roads dotted with kamikaze Fiat Pandas, it manifests the same long-distance comfort. The three-chamber air suspension is scarcely stiffer than the standard car, ironing out potholes with imperious disdain. “
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Model reviewed: Range overview (coupé and convertible)
Score: 9 / 10
“No other manufacturer does luxury and performance quite like Bentley. Which makes the Continental GT Coupe one of the best grand tourers on the planet.”
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The Sunday Times+

Score: 8 / 10
“Overall, this is an absolutely fabulous car. A brilliant piece of completely over-the-top styling sitting like the icing on a properly made cake. If I had to choose between this and the DB11, I’d be in what the experts call ‘a right old muddle’. But as I’m pushing 60 now, I’d probably go for the Continental.” (Jeremy Clarkson)
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Score: 8 / 10
“A wonderfully smooth, fast and comfortable grand tourer.”
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The Telegraph+

Model reviewed: V8
Score: 10 / 10
“It’s hard not to talk in superlatives when discussing the latest Bentley Continental GT, and this V8 version is the best yet. Whether you’re trickling around town, sweeping down a back road or blasting across a continent, it feels nothing short of brilliant.”
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Model reviewed: W12
Score: 10 / 10
“Power, comfort and emotional warmth. As the era of the automobile draws to a close, it’s things like the Bentley Continental GT that will really make us miss it.”
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Top Gear+

Score: 8 / 10
“Comfort and relaxation may have slipped maybe five per cent, but dynamism is up 50 per cent. And most importantly, that ability and behaviour suits the Bentley Continental GT well.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

No safety rating

As of January 2025, the Bentley Continental GT has not been tested by Euro NCAP. Previous generations of Continental have never been tested by Euro NCAP, so we don’t expect that this one will be, either.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of January 2025, the Bentley Continental GT has not been tested by Green NCAP.

We’re not expecting the Continental GT to be put through its paces by Green NCAP but, if it does happen, we’ll publish the results here.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	22 mpg	E	20 – 23 mpg	E – E

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	290 g/km	D	275 – 320 g/km	D – D

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	50	F	50 – 50	F – F

The Bentley Continental GT is a very expensive car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

The car’s fuel economy of 22 mpg is one of the poorest fuel consumption stats in our Expert Rating Index, and insurance premiums are in the most expensive bracket too.

Bentley doesn’t provide servicing cost data, but it’s probably safe to assume that it will be very expensive.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 22
Average repair cost: £2437.41
Last updated: October 2024

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

The Bentley Continental range (GT, GTC and Flying Spur across the last two generations) is very poor when it comes to reliability, with a reliability score of 13% according to workshop and extended warranty data provided by our commercial partner, MotorEasy. This covers both the current (2018 onwards) model as well as earlier generations.

However, it’s not just us to find the Continental range to be sub-par when it comes to reliability. In August 2022, a report from car warranty provider Warrantywise rated the Continental GT as the seventh most unreliable used car on sale in the UK.

Suspension problems are the most common isues for the Continental, with more than a third of MotorEasy’s warranty claims addressing these.

If you own or are considering a used Bentley Continental GT, make sure any used car warranty you purchase covers these particular trouble spots.

Recalls

Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Bentley Continental GT

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Date: February 2023
Recall number: R/2023/037
Model types: All
Build dates: 06/2018 to 09/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 1,218
Defect: The water pump concept can create a vacuum within the electrical area of the pump. As a result liquid from the coolant system can permeate through the pump housing onto the electrical circuit board and connector.
Remedy: A hardware change of the water pump.

Date: March 2022
Recall number: R/2022/078
Model types: All
Build dates: 06/2018 to 08/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 32
Defect: Incorrect front passenger seat belt assemblies without an automatic locking retractor (ALR) function may have been installed.
Remedy: Inspect the affected front seat belt assemblies and replace if necessary.

Date: July 2021
Recall number: R/2021/276
Model types: All
Build dates: 02/2018 to 06/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 2,293
Defect: The front seat software could result in trapping of a rear occupant’s legs.
Remedy: Update the software for the front seats.

Date: June 2021
Recall number: R/2021/221
Model types: All
Build dates: 06/2018 to 05/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 2,462
Defect: Inconsistent fitment of the fuse box and the electrical harness may prevent the accelerator pedal from returning to its resting position.
Remedy: Check and if necessary rework the A-post lower trim ensuring correct clearance of the trim to the accelerator pedal.

Date: June 2020
Recall number: R/2020/373
Model types: All
Build dates: 01/2020
Number of vehicles affected: 2
Defect: A small number of vehicles may have an adhesive bond between the sunroof and the vehicle body which does not meet the specification.
Remedy: The sunroof glass or sunroof assembly will be replaced.

Date: July 2019
Recall number: R/2019/202
Model types: All
Build dates: 06/2018 to 05/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 802
Defect: The electrical power steering wiring may have been damaged during assembly.
Remedy: Inspect and, if damaged, replace harness.

Date: July 2019
Recall number: R/2019/170
Model types: All
Build dates: 01/2018 to 03/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 830
Defect: Hazard warning and vehicle demisters may become inoperable.
Remedy: Install a software update to the centre console switch pack.

Date: January 2019
Recall number: R/2019/016
Model types: All
Build dates: 01/2018 to 12/2018
Number of vehicles affected: 548
Defect: Temporary loss of power assistance to the steering.
Remedy: Reprogramme the electric power steering control unit on affected vehicles.

As of October 2024, there have been eight DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the Bentley Continental GT to address various issues.

Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Bentley dealer.

If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used Continental GT, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.