2024 Bentley Continental

There's the luxury you get from Audi, BMW and Mercedes; then there's ultimate luxury that Bentley and Rolls-Royce deliver. For discerning clients with very deep pockets, the 2024 Bentley Continental GT exemplifies traditional grand touring with potent performance and cosseting comfort. As the coupe or convertible, it's the smallest vehicle in Bentley's lineup, slotting beneath the large Flying Spur sedan and Bentayga SUV. The big news for 2024 is the farewell tour for the powerful W12 engine and the debut of a new "A" trim just above the base model. Otherwise the Continental GT returns mostly unchanged, and that's just how we like it.

Perfection is elusive for some and impossible for most, but the Bentley Continental GT's interior seems to be as close as you can get. The expert craftspeople at the Crewe factory use only the best materials. From flawless leather hides to delicately bookmarked wood veneers, there's a sense of occasion when you step inside, along with an intoxicating mix of rich scents that remind you of a well-appointed parlor. There's also a sense of reassuring heft in the knurled metal knobs and switchgear that give the impression that they'll last for decades. In essence, the Bentley Continental GT makes you feel like a million bucks for a quarter of the price.

At this level of luxury, there are few competitors to the Bentley Continental GT. Rolls-Royce has the new all-electric Spectre, and it's sure to rival the Bentley in terms of workmanship and materials. The redesigned Maserati GranTurismo adds some sleek and sexy Italian style to the class and costs a lot less than the Continental GT. For a distinctly British interpretation, the Aston Martin DB12 and DBS are also worthy alternatives. But just like the Maserati, they're not as opulent or comfortable, but they are more exciting to drive.