2017 Bentley Continental Review
Type:
Pros & Cons
- World-class interior craftsmanship and customization
- Smooth and strong power with either engine
- Convertible top available for all variants
- Standard all-wheel drive
- Not as nimble around turns as some rival exotics
- Rear seats are a tight fit for adults
- Lacking the latest advanced safety features
Other years
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Which Continental does Edmunds recommend?
For our money, the Bentley Continental GT Speed is the one to get. With an uprated version of the W12 from the standard GT, the Speed produces 633 hp and 620 lb-ft of torque. This allows the Speed to accelerate to 60 mph in a claimed 3.9 seconds, with minimal sacrifice to the car's grand touring abilities.
Edmunds' Expert Review
Driving
The Continental is a grand touring machine. It's heavy, but the adaptive suspension and all-wheel drive do their best to keep the car composed when you're driving around turns. Thanks to the stout V8 or W12, there's no shortage of smooth, effortless power.
Comfort
Plush leather seats and a quiet interior make the inside of the Continental a great place to spend time. But the car's high beltline can make it a bit hard to see out for some shorter drivers. The rear seats, while convenient for around town trips, are too small for adults to do any real touring in.
Interior
The Continental doesn't have the latest in-car technology. Instead, Bentley focuses on old-world craftsmanship and the relatively analog nature of the cockpit. The Continental is one of the few performance cars you can just hop in and easily figure out how everything works.
Utility
While the rear seats are beautiful, the seatbacks don't fold down. The trunk itself is deep, but it's difficult to fit larger suitcases or boxes in the back due to the short aperture of the trunk opening. But the trunk carpeting is plush and soft, so you might just want to leave it empty anyway.
Technology
The navigation and climate control systems are easy to use. But the Continental lacks many of the latest in-car technology and advanced driver safety features found on rival cars.
Safety
Our experts like the Continental models:
- Side Curtain Airbags
- Helps prevent head injuries in the case of rollover by inflating bags over the side windows. For both front- and rear-seat passengers.
- Anti-Lock Braking
- Prevents the wheels from locking up during panic or emergency braking. Keeps the wheels rolling, which promotes traction.
- Electronic Stability Control
- Keeps the car from going too far out of control by reducing throttle and applying braking to individual wheels.
