2009 Bentley Continental

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2009 models.

Bentley Continental
Pictured: Bentley Continental GT (II) – Frontansicht (3), 30. August 2011, Düsseldorf. Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Compact Cars
Body styles
GT/Speed 2dr Coupe AWD, Gtc 2dr Coupe AWD
Engines
6.0L 12-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
13 combined · 10 city / 17 hwy
Length
189–189.4 in
Curb weight
5,258–5,501 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
1 campaign

Pros & cons

What's good

Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.

Watch out for

  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 13 MPG combined, 41% below the 2009 compact car average of 22.2 MPG.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2009 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 (GT/Speed 2dr Coupe AWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 13 MPG combined (10 city / 17 highway), 41% worse than the 2009 compact car average of 22.2 MPG, for an estimated $6,300 a year in fuel.

It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the structure.

What changed for 2009

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2008 Continental — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2008; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2008 Continental →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
GT/Speed 2dr Coupe AWD189.4 in77.2 in54.7 in108.3 in–5,258 lb52/48
Gtc 2dr Coupe AWD189 in77.2 in55.1 in108.3 in–5,501 lb

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Continental GT6.0L 12-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive10 / 17 / 13-41%$6,300684
Continental GTC6.0L 12-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive10 / 17 / 12-44%$6,850741
Spend $19,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
22.2 MPG2009 Compact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2009 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2009 Bentley Continental under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2009 compact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2009 Bentley Continental (this car)13 MPGNot rated1
2009 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti12 MPGNot rated1

Recalls (1)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor · Oct 17, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V484000 · 469 vehicles

Problem
Bentley Motors, Inc. (Bentley) is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2011 Continental GT, GTC, and Flying Spur vehicles, manufactured from July 2006 through June 2010 and equipped with carbon ceramic brake discs. In the affected vehicles, the stainless steel screws that secure the brake rotors may fail after being exposed to salty conditions.
Risk
Failure of the securing screws may result in a reduction of braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Bentley will notify owners, and dealers will replace the screws, free of charge. The safety recall began on October 22, 2013. Owners may contact Bentley at 1-800-777-6923. Bentley's number for this campaign is RE13/14.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2009 Bentley Continental is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

1Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
28,648 miTypical mileage at failure
Structure › Body1

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2009 Bentley Continental buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Structure › Body — 1 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
  3. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 28,648 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  4. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2009 Bentley Continental. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Continental years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 Continental19190.9 inNot rated20
2025 Continental19190.9 inNot rated11
2024 Continental17190.9 inNot rated00
2023 Continental18190.9 inNot rated02
2022 Continental19190.9 inNot rated20
2021 Continental19190.9 inNot rated43
2020 Continental19–Not rated50
2017 Continental18189.4 inNot rated10
2016 Continental18189.4 inNot rated00
2015 Continental18189.4 inNot rated11
2014 Continental18189.4 inNot rated10
2013 Continental18189.4 inNot rated10

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Bentley. How we calculate this →