Name: Bentley Flying Spur (2019 - present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Bentley Flying Spur
Rating: 61.0

Summary

The Bentley Flying Spur is a large luxury saloon, and the flagship of the Bentley range. This is the third generation of the Flying Spur and, like its predecessors, it is based on the Bentley Continental GT coupé.

The Bentley Mulsanne ceased production in 2020, with the Flying Spur moving up on previous generations in price and luxury to take on the role of Bentley’s flagship saloon. It’s significantly longer than the previous model to provide more rear cabin space. Initially launched only with the top-spec 6.0-litre W12 engine, the range grew with the addition of the familiar 4.0-litre petrol V8 engine about a year later, followed by a plug-in hybrid model in 2021.

The Bentley Flying Spur has received many positive reviews from the UK motoring media, with glowing reports of its luxury and driving dynamics.

Several titles have also criticised the stinginess of the Flying Spur’s level of standard safety equipment, with key equipment like autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control only available as (expensive) options, despite being standard on other Volkswagen Group models – like a VW Golf for about a tenth of the price.

The Flying Spur received a major update in the middle of 2024. Bentley pitched this as almost an all-new car, whereas the reality is that it’s more of a major update to the existing vehicle. The average person in the street (or even a Bentley customer) probably wouldn’t be able to spot any major differences, but there are major overhauls to engine, electrics and interior luxuries.

As of January 2025, the Bentley Flying Spur has a New Car Expert Rating of C with a score of 61%. It scores top marks for its very positive media reviews, but the overall rating has been dragged down by unsurprisingly high running costs.

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Key specifications

Body style: Large saloon
Engines: petrol, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £156,130 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2019
Last updated: Autumn 2024
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.

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: Hybrid (2023)
Score: 8 / 10
“The V6 plug-in hybrid brings attractive tax savings to Bentley’s luxury saloon, but it doesn’t quite match the smooth driving experience of its petrol-powered V8 counterpart.”
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Score: 9 / 10
“Hand-built Bentley Flying Spur luxury saloon combines breathtaking performance with majestic luxury and refinement.”
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Model reviewed: V8
Score: 10 / 10
“That this new V8 edition of the Bentley Flying Spur isn’t as expensive as the W12 and offers a more engaging drive without making a compromise in any single area means it’s the pick of the line-up. Not only is this a supremely well-engineered car, with a huge breadth of ability, it’s also one that drips with desirability.”
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Model reviewed: 6.0-litre W12 petrol automatic
Score: 10 / 10
“The new Bentley Flying Spur is a world-class flagship, balancing performance, luxury and style in equal measure. The way it drives and handles is quite astonishing for such a large car, while the opulence of the cabin and attention to detail show Bentley at its best.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“Hand-built Bentley Flying Spur luxury saloon combines breathtaking performance with majestic luxury and refinement.”
Read review

Auto Trader+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Bentley Flying Spur is a luxury saloon, and essentially a four-door version of the immensely popular Continental GT. Built to be driven or be driven in, the Flying Spur is packed with leather, wood and acres of well-appointed space.”
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Business Car+

Model reviewed: 6.0-litre W12 petrol automatic
Score: 8 / 10
“It won’t be within reach of most fleets or drivers, but the Flying Spur heralds a new era of electrification for Bentley.”
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Car+

Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“The new Bentley Flying Spur isn’t so much an evolutionary improvement on the old model, as a giant leap forward.”
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Carbuyer+

Model reviewed:
Score: 7.8 / 10
“The Bentley Flying Spur is a luxury saloon that’s both great to drive and be driven in”
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Carwow+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Bentley Flying Spur is one of the most luxurious, and high-tech, saloon cars on sale. Its boot could be bigger, though, and automatic cruise control should be standard.”
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Daily Mail+

Model reviewed: 6.0-litre petrol automatic
“For such a large car it handles beautifully even in the narrowest and twistiest lanes of Monaco, so should be a doddle in London, Glasgow, New York and Beijing.”
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Eurekar+

Model reviewed: 6.0-litre W12 petrol automatic
“Performance is toe-curling, but not the riotous drive you would expect from an out and out sports saloon. Okay, floor the accelerator and its like jet taking off, but occupants otherwise suffer no discomfort and feel as safe as you can be with such performance.”
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Model reviewed: 6.0-litre W12 petrol automatic First Edition
“Comfort is supreme wherever you choose to sit, with everything from massaging seats to picnic tables and Champagne bottle coolers, mood lighting throughout and a rotating central display in the dash, plus touch screen remote control in the rear.”
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Evo+

Model reviewed: V8
Score: 9 / 10
“New ‘entry-level’ Bentley Flying Spur is the pick of the limos.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“All-new Bentley Flying Spur is one of the few, if not the only, luxury car that is as good to drive as it is to be driven in.”
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Motoring Research+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“The Bentley Flying Spur is a glorious way to travel, with acres of legroom, electric window blinds, even massaging armchair-style seats.”
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Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.8 / 10
“Four-door Bentley is a fast, elegant and comfortable alternative to a private jet.”
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The Sun+

Model reviewed: 6.0-litre W12 petrol automatic
“The Bentley Flying Spur is a fusion of cutting-edge tech and artisan craftsmanship.”
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The Telegraph+

Model reviewed: 6.0-litre W12 petrol automatic
Score: 8 / 10
“The Bentley Flying Spur is a fine car spoiled by a shabby ride.”
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Top Gear+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“Perhaps the most compelling four-door Bentley’s built since the Arnage”
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

No safety rating

The Bentley Flying Spur 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 Flying Spur has not yet been tested by Green NCAP.

The Flying Spur weighs about three tonnes with passengers on board and is powered by either a 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine or a 6.0-litre W12 petrol engine, so it’s safe to assume it won’t be winning any environmental awards.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of January 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Bentley Flying Spur to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively from extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Flying Spur, we’ll publish the score here.

Recalls

Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Bentley Flying Spur

2023

2022

2021

2020

Date: May 2023
Recall number: R/2023/131
Model types: All
Build dates: 11/2020 to 10/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 353
Defect: On affected vehicles the retention bracket holding the rear entertainment screens located in the rear of the front seats may have been installed in the incorrect orientation.
Remedy: Check the orientation of the retention bracket in both front seats. Any seats found to be fitted with the incorrect bracket orientation will be reworked to replace the retention bracket assembly.

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: 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: April 2021
Recall number: R/2021/113
Model types: All
Build dates: 07/2019 to 03/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 221
Defect: The knee roll airbag wiring may be incorrect at the Airbag Control Module connector.
Remedy: Correct the wiring at the Airbag Control Module Connector.

Date: June 2020
Recall number: R/2020/145
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.

As of October 2024, there have been five DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the current-generation Bentley Flying Spur to address various different 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 Flying Spur, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.

Everything you need to know about UK vehicle recalls

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	21 mpg	E	19 – 22 mpg	E – E

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	299 g/km	D	288 – 340 g/km	D – D
Plug-in hybrid models	75 g/km	A	75 – 75 g/km	A – A

Battery range	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Plug-in hybrid models	26 miles	E	26 – 26 miles	E – E

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

The Bentley Flying Spur 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 petrol car’s fuel economy of 21 mpg is one of the poorest fuel consumption stats in our Expert Rating Index (the plug-in hybrid is presumably better, but we don’t have confirmed numbers for that engine), while 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 expensive.