Bentley Continental
20 model years from 2005 to 2026, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.

- Model years
- 2005–2026
- Class
- Subcompact Cars, Minicompact Cars, Compact Cars
- Latest engines
- 4.0L 8-cyl turbo
- Best MPG
- 12–19 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 11 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2021 (3)
- Fewest problems
- 2016
- Interest
- 2,426 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2026 Continental in brief
The 2026 Bentley Continental is a subcompact car offered with a 4.0L 8-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 191 inches long and 77 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,947 lb (GT).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 19 MPG combined (17 city / 22 highway), 21% worse than the 2026 subcompact car average of 24 MPG, for an estimated $4,350 a year in fuel.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file.
The Bentley Continental has 20 model years in our data, from 2005 to 2026, classed as Subcompact Cars, Minicompact Cars, Compact Cars.
Its most efficient year was 2026 at 19 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 12 to 19 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the engine (3), structure › body (2), electrical system (2).
Buying used? 2024 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2020 is the year to avoid.
2020 has the most recalls (5); all years together count 11 campaigns and 9 owner complaints.
How the 2005 Continental compares
The 2005 Bentley Continental is a compact car offered with a 6.0L 12-cyl turbo engine and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 189 inches long and 77 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,258 lb.
About the Bentley Continental
Bentley Continental refers to several models of cars produced by Bentley Motors. Originally, it referred to a special chassis for engines more powerful than the usual offering, supplied to a selected number of coachbuilders for the fitting of very light-weight coachwork designed under Rolls-Royce supervision.
From the Wikipedia article "Bentley Continental", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2026 Continental pros & cons
Full 2026 details →What's good
- Plug-in hybrid version availableOffered as a plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 19 MPG combined, 21% below the 2026 subcompact car average of 24 MPG.
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Best and worst years to buy used
2024 Continental
0 owner complaints · 0 recalls
Year to avoid2020 Continental
0 owner complaints · 5 recalls
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 8 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
Compare head to head
Continental changes by model year
- 2025
- New plug-in hybrid version
- Engine dropped: 6.0L 12-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG up from 17 to 19
- 2014
- Lightest version 386 lb lighter
- 2013
- Engine added: 4.0L 8-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG up from 14 to 18
- 2012
- New body dimensions, wheelbase +97.7 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- 2011
- New body dimensions, wheelbase −97.7 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 20 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4.0L 8-cyl turbo | 19 MPG | 190.9 in | 4,947 lb | Not rated | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 | 4.0L 8-cyl turbo | 19 MPG | 190.9 in | 4,947 lb | Not rated | 1 | 1 |
| 2024 | 4.0L 8-cyl turbo, 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | 17 MPG | 190.9 in | 4,947 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 4.0L 8-cyl turbo, 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | 18 MPG | 190.9 in | 4,947 lb | Not rated | 0 | 2 |
| 2022 | 4.0L 8-cyl turbo, 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | 19 MPG | 190.9 in | 4,947 lb | Not rated | 2 | 0 |
| 2021 | 4.0L 8-cyl turbo, 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | 19 MPG | 190.9 in | 4,947 lb | Not rated | 4 | 3 |
| 2020 | 4.0L 8-cyl turbo, 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | 19 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 5 | 0 |
| 2017 | 4.0L 8-cyl turbo, 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | 18 MPG | 189.4 in | 5,501 lb | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2016 | 4.0L 8-cyl turbo, 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | 18 MPG | 189.4 in | 5,501 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 4.0L 8-cyl turbo, 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | 18 MPG | 189.4 in | 5,501 lb | Not rated | 1 | 1 |
| 2014 | 4.0L 8-cyl turbo, 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | 18 MPG | 189.4 in | 5,501 lb | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 | 4.0L 8-cyl turbo, 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | 18 MPG | 189.4 in | 5,501 lb | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 | 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | 14 MPG | 189.4 in | 5,501 lb | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2011 | 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | 13 MPG | 189.4 in | 5,115 lb | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2010 | 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | 13 MPG | 189.4 in | 5,258 lb | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2009 | 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | 13 MPG | 189.4 in | 5,258 lb | Not rated | 1 | 1 |
| 2008 | 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | 13 MPG | 189.4 in | 5,258 lb | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2007 | 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | 13 MPG | 189.4 in | 5,258 lb | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2006 | 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | 13 MPG | 189.4 in | 5,258 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2005 | 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | 12 MPG | 189.4 in | 5,258 lb | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
Alternatives to the 2026 Continental
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Ferrari F80 | 17 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Aston Martin Valhalla | 16 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Ferrari Roma | 19 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Bentley. How we calculate this →


