2023 Bentley Continental GT

The ultimate expression of status and class in the automotive world has wings, and in the case of sleek grand tourers, the Bentley Continental GT is right up there with big names from Aston Martin and Rolls Royce. The Continental GT is arguably the quintessential Bentley, boasting exquisite style, opulent accommodations, and a sublime ride - with or without a roof. The new Bentley Continental GT Coupe is the one to get if you're after power, prestige, and a cabin you could spend hours in. Under the shapely hood, you'll find a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine producing 542 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque, which allows this big British battleship to reach 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds. That's impressive, considering the weight behind the Conti GT is not just a result of its pedigree - it's a heavy beast that manages to be fun to drive, not just be driven in. But with competition from other heavyweights such as the BMW M8, Aston Martin DBS, and even the mighty Rolls-Royce Wraith, is the Continental GT still worth forking over upwards of $235k?

Looking for a bargain? Best look elsewhere. Prices of the Bentley Continental GT V8 are hard to pin down and the cars are never ordered in 'base' spec. However, it starts at about $235,000, before you've even added any options and before a destination charge of $2,725. Conti GT in S specification costs around $266k, while the exclusive Azure models will start at around $282,000. For even more exclusivity, the Mulliner variants can be had if you reach deep into your pockets, and while there are no official MSRP figures to go on, we'd expect the total price to surpass the $341k mark, fully loaded with options.

Bentley has seemingly mastered the art of combining mega luxurious cruisers with powerful engines and a well-tuned chassis; the result is so much more than just a lounge on wheels, and the Bentley Continental GT coupe makes for a wonderful driver's car, too. Sure, occupants are coddled and isolated from the road and any flaws it may present under the tires, but from behind the wheel, the driver will enjoy quick, precise steering with more feedback than most modern electric systems in this class.

The standard adaptive suspension system allows this large GT to minimize lean when going into fast corners, and the standard torque vectoring helps keep the power down, even when stomping on the gas pedal at corner exits. The brakes are sharp too, but the Continental GT is a big car, and regulating the brakes takes some getting used to. On the open road, it glides with effortless serenity, and we'd expect nothing less.

The Bentley name carries a lot of weight, and just as Porsche is known for building expertly crafted sports cars, Bentley is known for conjuring up luxury cars that feel like five-star hotels on wheels. But times are changing, and with the Continental GT, the automaker shows that it can manage the delicate balance between a sumptuous cruiser and thrilling performance. Still, the Conti GT is more grand tourer than it is sports car, and it plays this role to perfection. While the potent engines offer more than enough muscle, there's more to the car than just straight-line speed. The combination of sheer luxury, driving ability, and reverent awe that the Bentley Continental GT evokes is enough to justify that price tag.

The Conti GT is available in a few flavors, with the S models adding blacked-out goodies, if that's your thing. The Azure makes a strong case for itself with all the opulence and luxury you'll need, but the Mulliner comes with the W12 engine if the V8 isn't enough - truthfully, though, the V8 is all the GT you'll ever need, with power-operated, heated front seats, adaptive suspension, a ten-speaker sound system, and LED Matrix adaptive headlights. If you have the money to spend, it makes sense to aim higher in the range - we're inclined to lean towards Mulliner models because, why not?