2021 Bentley Continental

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 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
Minicompact Cars
Body styles
GT, GT V8, GT V8 Convertible
Engines
4.0L 8-cyl turbo, 6.0L 12-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
19 combined · 16 city / 26 hwy
Length
190.9 in
Curb weight
4,773–5,148 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 5 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2021 Bentley Continental is a minicompact car offered with 2 engines (4.0L 8-cyl turbo and 6.0L 12-cyl turbo) 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 (16 city / 26 highway), 8% worse than the 2021 minicompact car average of 20.7 MPG, for an estimated $4,350 a year in fuel.

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

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the seats.

What changed for 2021

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2020 Continental — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 Continental →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
GT190.9 in77.2 in55.5 in112.2 in–4,947 lb
GT V8190.9 in77.2 in55.5 in112.2 in–4,773 lb
GT V8 Convertible190.9 in77.2 in55.5 in112.2 in–5,148 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 GT Convertible4.0L 8-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S8)All-Wheel Drive16 / 26 / 19-8%$4,350468
Continental GT4.0L 8-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S8)All-Wheel Drive16 / 26 / 19-19%$4,350468
Continental GT Convertible6.0L 12-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S8)All-Wheel Drive12 / 19 / 15-28%$5,500601
Continental GT6.0L 12-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S8)All-Wheel Drive12 / 20 / 15-36%$5,500586
3/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
3/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $9,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
20.7 MPG2021 Minicompact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2021 Bentley Continental.

Similar 2021 minicompact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2021 Bentley Continental (this car)19 MPGNot rated4
2021 Lamborghini Aventador10 MPGNot rated2
2021 Ferrari 812 Superfast13 MPGNot rated0
2021 Ferrari 812 GTS13 MPGNot rated0
2021 Aston Martin DB1120 MPGNot rated0
2021 Aston Martin DBS17 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (4)

Air Bags › Critical Fasteners · Mar 8, 2023

NHTSA campaign 23V152000 · 1,610 vehicles

Problem
Bentley Motors, Inc. (Bentley) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Continental GTC vehicles. Due to a sharp edge on the air bag deflector bracket, the seat air bags may tear during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 214, "Side Impact Protection," and 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk
A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
Dealers will inspect the affected front seats and, if necessary, remove the sharp edge on the airbag deflector bracket rivet, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 17, 2023. Owners may contact Bentley customer service at 1-800-77-6923. Bentley's number for this recall is RE23/03(RC68).
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor · Mar 23, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V177000 · 25 vehicles

Problem
Bentley Motors, Inc. (Bentley) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Continental GT Convertible, Continental GT, and 2021-2022 Flying Spur vehicles. The front seat belt assemblies may have been incorrectly installed, resulting in the front passenger seat missing the automatic locking retractor (ALR). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk
A missing ALR on a passenger seat belt may not properly secure a child restraint, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the affected seat belt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2022. Owners may contact Bentley customer service at 1-800-777-6923. Bentley's number for this recall is RE22/08 (RC34).
Equipment › Other › Owners/Service/Other Manual · Dec 15, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V975000 · 3,777 vehicles

Problem
Bentley Motors, Inc. (Bentley) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bentayga, Continental GT, Flying Spur, and Continental GT Convertible vehicles. The owner's manual incorrectly states that the air bag system will not deploy when the "Passenger Airbag On" symbol is illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk
The incorrect information may change how occupants position themselves in relation to the air bags, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix
Bentley will mail new labels to owners. Owners may apply the label themselves or have a dealer apply the label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Bentley customer service at 1-800-777-6923. Bentley's number for this recall is RE21/43 (RC26).
Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust · Jul 21, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V550000 · 3,647 vehicles

Problem
Bentley Motors, Inc. (Bentley) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Continental GT/GT Convertible vehicles. During some automated front seat movements, the front seat may trap a rear passenger's legs.
Risk
The rear passenger may become trapped by the front seat, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
Dealers will update the software for the front seats, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 31, 2021. Owners may contact Bentley customer service at 1-800-777-6923. Bentley's number for this recall is RE21/26 (RC08).
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2021 Bentley Continental is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

3Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
5,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Seats2
Steering1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
22/02: 225/12: 122/0225/12max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2021 Bentley Continental buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Seats — 2 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
  3. Steering — 1 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  4. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 5,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  5. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2021 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
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
2012 Continental14189.4 inNot rated10

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