2012 Bentley Continental

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 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
2dr Conv AWD Gtc/Gtc V-8, 2dr Coupe AWD GT/GT V-8
Engines
6.0L 12-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
FFV
MPG (best)
14 combined · 12 city / 19 hwy
Length
189.4 in
Curb weight
5,501–5,655 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 14 MPG combined, 45% below the 2012 compact car average of 25.6 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 2012 Bentley Continental is a compact car offered with a 6.0L 12-cyl turbo engine and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 189 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,501 lb (2dr Conv AWD Gtc/Gtc V-8).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 14 MPG combined (12 city / 19 highway), 45% worse than the 2012 compact car average of 25.6 MPG, for an estimated $5,850 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 1 recall campaign on file.

What changed for 2012

  • New body dimensions, wheelbase +97.7 in — most likely a redesign or new generation

Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 Continental →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
2dr Conv AWD Gtc/Gtc V-8189.4 in76.4 in55.1 in108.3 in63.8 / 63.4 in5,501 lb
2dr Coupe AWD GT/GT V-8189.4 in76.4 in55.1 in108.3 in–5,655 lb52/48

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 GT FFV6.0L 12-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive12 / 19 / 14-45%$5,850635
Continental GTC FFV6.0L 12-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive11 / 19 / 14-35%$5,850635
Spend $17,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
25.6 MPG2012 Compact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Bentley Continental.

Similar 2012 compact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2012 Bentley Continental (this car)14 MPGNot rated1
2012 Ferrari FF13 MPGNot rated2
2012 Aston Martin Rapide15 MPGNot rated4

Recalls (1)

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery › Cables · Oct 21, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V688000 · 7,778 vehicles

Problem
Bentley Motors, Inc. (Bentley) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Continental GT vehicles manufactured February 1, 2011, to April 30, 2014, 2012-2015 Continental GTC vehicles manufactured February 1, 2011, to June 30, 2014, 2012-2013 Continental Flying Spur vehicles manufactured March 31, 2011, to August 30, 2012, and 2014 Flying Spur vehicles manufactured February 28, 2013, to April 28, 2014. In the affected vehicles, a battery cable connection may be loose at the firewall.
Risk
A loose battery cable may overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix
Bentley will notify owners, and dealers will replace the battery cable securing nut, free of charge. The recall began on November 17, 2015. Owners may contact Bentley customer service at 1-800-777-6923. Bentley's number for this recall is RE15/15.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2012 Bentley Continental is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

No owner complaints for the 2012 Bentley Continental in NHTSA's database since 2015.

Used 2012 Bentley Continental buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 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 →