2021 Bentley Continental
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.

- 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
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GT | 190.9 in | 77.2 in | 55.5 in | 112.2 in | – | 4,947 lb | |
| GT V8 | 190.9 in | 77.2 in | 55.5 in | 112.2 in | – | 4,773 lb | |
| GT V8 Convertible | 190.9 in | 77.2 in | 55.5 in | 112.2 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
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continental GT Convertible | 4.0L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 26 / 19 | -8% | $4,350 | 468 |
| Continental GT | 4.0L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 26 / 19 | -19% | $4,350 | 468 |
| Continental GT Convertible | 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 12 / 19 / 15 | -28% | $5,500 | 601 |
| Continental GT | 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 12 / 20 / 15 | -36% | $5,500 | 586 |
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
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Bentley Continental (this car) | 19 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2021 Lamborghini Aventador | 10 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2021 Ferrari 812 Superfast | 13 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Ferrari 812 GTS | 13 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Aston Martin DB11 | 20 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Aston Martin DBS | 17 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
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).
Not every 2021 Bentley Continental is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2021 Bentley Continental buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Seats — 2 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
- Steering — 1 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 5,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- 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 →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Continental | 19 | 190.9 in | Not rated | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 Continental | 19 | 190.9 in | Not rated | 1 | 1 |
| 2024 Continental | 17 | 190.9 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 Continental | 18 | 190.9 in | Not rated | 0 | 2 |
| 2022 Continental | 19 | 190.9 in | Not rated | 2 | 0 |
| 2020 Continental | 19 | – | Not rated | 5 | 0 |
| 2017 Continental | 18 | 189.4 in | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2016 Continental | 18 | 189.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 Continental | 18 | 189.4 in | Not rated | 1 | 1 |
| 2014 Continental | 18 | 189.4 in | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 Continental | 18 | 189.4 in | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 Continental | 14 | 189.4 in | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Bentley. How we calculate this →