Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Bentley Continental GT coupe review

"The Bentley Continental GT has been reborn with improved technology that makes it feel lighter and nimbler than before"

Carbuyer Rating

3.8 out of 5

Owners Rating
Be the first to review

Pros

  • Improved technology
  • Incredible interior quality
  • More exciting to drive than predecessor

Cons

  • Limited rear space
  • Thirsty engines
  • Expensive options

Bentley spent more than half-a-decade developing its third-generation Continental GT coupe, and the luxurious cruiser is aimed squarely at the Aston Martin DB11, Mercedes-AMG GT and the Ferrari 812 Superfast.

The previous generation Continental GT was a resounding success for the British marque, and it has gone on to become Bentley’s best-selling model of all time. As Bentley looks towards an electrified future, the petrol-powered Continental GT still stands as one of the best ways to travel long distances in style and comfort, and its powerful engines offer the potential for plenty of fun along the way.

The third-generation Continental GT has been entirely redeveloped from the ground up, and it now shares its underpinnings with the Porsche Panamera. Bentley’s engineers worked closely with Porsche during the platform's inception to ensure they’d have precisely the foundations needed to develop the ultimate Continental GT.

Advertisement - Article continues below

A design overhaul, complete with muscular proportions and a more ground-hugging appearance, gives Bentley's most sporting model much more purpose this time around. It isn’t any longer than before, but the wheels have been pushed out to each corne, giving the car a more athletic stance, while sharpened edges and creases add muscularity to the overall design. A Blackline pack that sees chrome replaced by gloss black trim also points to the Continental's popularity with a younger set of buyers who prefer more aggressive looks.

A newly developed 6.0-litre W12 twin-turbo engine arrived first, but a smaller 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 subsequently joined it – a petrol-electric V6 plug-in hybrid may eventually join the range too. The latest W12 model is much sharper than its predecessor, but the less expensive and lighter V8 model is still absurdly quick. Perhaps, for this reason, the Continental GT and GT S now come with just the V8 engine, while the W12 only features as standard in the flagship GT Speed, though it can also be chosen with the exclusive GT Mulliner model. A host of chassis upgrades have also been engineered to make this Continental GT one of the most exciting Bentleys to drive ever.

In all versions, the engine now sits nearer the centre of the car, and there's a new eight-speed gearbox and suspension. The heavyweight GT belies its size on track, handling more like a four-wheel-drive sports saloon, but adjustable suspension allows everything to be softened when Comfort mode is chosen. An electronically controlled limited-slip differential appears in the GT Speed for the first time, making the coupe even more playful, while enormous optional carbon-ceramic brakes help deal with the extra power.

The Continental's occupants have plenty to enjoy inside, from the delightful leather massaging seats to the new 12.3-inch infotainment display that can be hidden at the press of a button when Bentley's rotating display is chosen as an option. As always, each customer is also able to specify their GT to be completely unique, from the shade of the leather to the wooden veneer and optional audio systems.

Bentley interiors have long been among the finest in the world, but now the latest chassis and infotainment technology has been added to the mix, the Continental GT has become arguably the best all-round grand tourer on sale.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Porsche Panamera review – a tech-packed sports saloon
2024 Porsche Panamera front quarter dynamic
In-depth reviews
13 Mar 2024

Porsche Panamera review – a tech-packed sports saloon

New Volkswagen ID.7 GTX Tourer – more speed and style for electric estate car
Volkswagen ID7 GTX Tourer front quarter
News
13 Mar 2024

New Volkswagen ID.7 GTX Tourer – more speed and style for electric estate car

New Maserati Grecale Folgore: 550bhp Italian electric SUV on sale now
Maserati Grecale Folgore front quarter
News
12 Mar 2024

New Maserati Grecale Folgore: 550bhp Italian electric SUV on sale now

New Lotus Emeya arrives: 905bhp, luxurious interior and £95k starting price
Lotus Emeya front quarter
News
7 Mar 2024

New Lotus Emeya arrives: 905bhp, luxurious interior and £95k starting price

Most Popular

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
15 Mar 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers

Skoda Superb Estate review – a near-faultless, practical family car
Skoda Superb Estate Carbuyer drive
In-depth reviews
15 Mar 2024

Skoda Superb Estate review – a near-faultless, practical family car

Porsche Panamera review – a tech-packed sports saloon
2024 Porsche Panamera front quarter dynamic
In-depth reviews
13 Mar 2024

Porsche Panamera review – a tech-packed sports saloon

More on Continental GT

Special edition cars: the best, worst and weirdest
News
15 Dec 2020

Special edition cars: the best, worst and weirdest

Take a look at the best and most memorable special edition cars
Bentley Continental GT Convertible
In-depth reviews
1 May 2020

Bentley Continental GT Convertible

"The Bentley Continental GT Convertible has always been luxurious but it now drives more like a sports car too"
Bentley Continental GT Pikes Peak Limited Edition revealed
Bentley Continental GT Pikes Peak Limited Edition and the winning car
News
3 Dec 2019

Bentley Continental GT Pikes Peak Limited Edition revealed

The Bentley Continental GT became the fastest-ever production car to complete the iconic American hill-climb course
Skip advert
Advertisement
New 2019 Bentley Flying Spur revealed
2019 Bentley Flying Spur - front 3/4 static
News
11 Jun 2019

New 2019 Bentley Flying Spur revealed

Latest Bentley Flying Spur sits on new platform and gets Continental GT’s interior
New 542bhp Bentley Continental GT V8 announced
Bentley Continental GT V8 convertible and coupe
News
18 Mar 2019

New 542bhp Bentley Continental GT V8 announced

Third-generation Continental GT V8 will launch in the UK in 2020
Bentley Continental GTC convertible (2011-2018)
In-depth reviews
1 Mar 2019

Bentley Continental GTC convertible (2011-2018)

"Sharp to look at and even better to drive, the Bentley Continental GTC is a great British grand tourer."
Best car videos: Carbuyer's greatest hits of 2018
News
30 Dec 2018

Best car videos: Carbuyer's greatest hits of 2018

We've crunched our viewing figures, and these are our best performing car videos of 2018
Bentley Continental GT Convertible 2018
News
26 Nov 2018

Bentley Continental GT Convertible 2018

We ride along in Bentley's luxurious 626bhp, 207mph Continental GT Convertible
Skip advert
Advertisement
2018 Bentley Continental GT arrives
News
29 Aug 2017

2018 Bentley Continental GT arrives

Familiar yet fresh lines for new 207mph Bentley Continental GT, together with unique three-sided rotating display
Skip advert
Advertisement
Bentley Continental GT coupe (2010-2017)
In-depth reviews
16 Feb 2017

Bentley Continental GT coupe (2010-2017)

"The Bentley Continental GT is a traditional grand tourer that offers huge performance and the best of British hand-built luxury"
New Bentley Bentayga First Edition revealed
News
22 Mar 2016

New Bentley Bentayga First Edition revealed

Bentley’s 600bhp luxury off-roader is the world’s fastest SUV, and we have all the details
Bentley Continental cabriolet (2006-2011)
In-depth reviews
28 Jun 2013

Bentley Continental cabriolet (2006-2011)

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
19 Dec 2023

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide
Public EV charge point
Tips and advice
11 Jan 2023

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
12 Apr 2023

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
The best electric cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024