Overview

Although it’s designed to make you feel like you’ve arrived, the 2022 Bentley Continental GT is also a great car for making the journey memorable. The GT stands for grand touring, and the Conti’s cabin is truly grand, pampering its occupants with fine leather, gorgeous wood, and handsome metal trims mixed with modern technology, plentiful amenities, and enough cargo space for those who wouldn’t deign to pack light. Both a coupe and a convertible are offered, as is a high-performance Speed variant. The Continental GT boasts a well-balanced chassis with just the right amount of athleticism for twisty canyon roads along with a smooth ride. All of this greatness comes at a steep price, but the six-figure outlay only serves to enhance the Bentley Continental GT’s curb appeal.

What’s New for 2022?

A higher-performance Speed model rejoins the Continental GT lineup for 2022 and is powered by a 650-hp version of the car’s W-12 engine; updates to the chassis to improve agility. Among those new handling, enhancers are rear-wheel steering and a torque-vectoring rear differential. The Speed also sports special styling features including Speed badging, unique 22-inch wheels, microfiber interior upholstery—and optional carbon-fiber dashboard trim.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Updated versions of the existing V-8 and W-12 engines that powered the previous-generation Continental GT provide muscle-car performance. Our testing of the older model revealed that the V-8, which makes 542 horses, can launch the coupe to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds . The more expensive W-12 engine produces 626 horsepower in non-Speed models and can motivate a coupe to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds. The same engine has been tuned up to 650-hp in the Speed model, but we haven’t tested that one yet. Both engines use an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that snaps off quick but smooth gearshifts. Customers can order the coupe or convertible with either engine. And all Continental GTs come with an all-wheel-drive system standard.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

When a twin-turbo V-8 is the most fuel-efficient offering in a particular model, you know that efficiency is not top of mind for the carmaker—or its customers, for that matter. The EPA rates the Continental V-8 at 16 mpg city and 26 highway. In our real-world testing, we averaged 28 mpg in a V-8 model in our 200 miles highway fuel economy test.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

We expect a luxurious cabin from anything wearing the Bentley badge , and this two-door is no different. The interior is swathed in aromatic leather and fine wood veneers, and nearly everything about the Continental GT is customizable—for a price, of course. Bentley’s designers thought everything through, and each time behind the wheel reveals a surprising detail, such as expertly knurled control knobs and double-stitched diamond-pattern seat trim. Although the Continental GT technically has seatbelts for four occupants, we’d suggest you avoid using the rear seat for hauling adult-size people since its leg- and headroom are both limited. In our testing, we were able to fit five carry-on suitcases in the Continental’s trunk—plenty of space for a weekend away with your favorite travel companion.