Best Bentley Cars: Highest-rated cars in Canada on Driving for 2023

Bentley’s imposing full-size SUV serves up posh digs and speed in equal measure. Its infinitely customizable cabin blends modern tech with fragrant leather and old-world British craftsmanship. New for 2023 is a cushier Azure trim, and the EWB (extended wheelbase) that, with an extra 18 cm between the axles, affords a true limousine experience for rear seat passengers.

Performance

The base model (if we can use that term), along with the sporty S and new-for-2023 Azure run with either VW Group’s ubiquitous 4.0L bi-turbo V8 (here tuned to 542 horses) or a 456-hp 3.0L V6 plug-in hybrid powertrain with a claimed EV range of 43 km. The EWB only gets the V8. For those needing blazing geddyup, the Bentayga Speed calls on a creamy smooth 626-hp turbo W12 to blur the scenery. All Bentaygas are fitted with AWD, and prove to be surprisingly agile handlers.

Practicality

With the new EWD model, the Bentley Bentayga finally gets the luxurious rear seat accommodations it was crying for. Most will opt for the climate-controlled Airline Seat option that reclines up to 40 degrees. New power closing doors keep the Bentayga in step with Rolls-Royce and Maybach. The EWB gets standard rear-wheel steering that significantly shrinks the behemoth’s turning circle. This second-generation Bentayga benefits from state-of-the-art infotainment and a wide range of on and off-road drive settings.

Canadian Pricing

The 2023 Bentley Bentayga will start at $238,700, with the EWB starting at $274,500 and the EWB Azure at $318,800. It’s not hard to reach $400,000 with a few points at the option and package list.

Calling on its storied history in motor sports, Bentley imbues its full-size luxe saloon with a surprising helping of athleticism. Yet, this verve never detracts from the Flying Spur’s mission of being a sybaritic cocoon of the highest order. As with the two-door Continental GT, Bentley adds a S trim for 2023 (V8 or V6 hybrid) that gets black 22-inch wheels, black trim, sport seats and two-tone interior.

Performance

V8-powered Continental GTs run with the Porsche-developed 4.0L bi-turbo V8, here tuned to 542 horses and running through an eight-speed dual-clutch auto and standard all-wheel drive. The aptly named Flying Spur Speed ups the game with 626-hp bi-turbo 6.0L W12. There is also an available 2.9L V6 plug-in hybrid powertrain that kicks out a healthy 536 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. It has an estimated EV range of 34 km.

Practicality

The Flying Spur is generously roomy for four occupants, with rear seat riders especially able to stretch out in comfort. A large trunk will swallow all your Louis Vuittons, and a rear touchscreen controller gives back seat passengers access to many vehicle functions.

Canadian Pricing

You won’t get into a decently equipped “base” 2023 Bentley Flying Spur for under $300,000, and dipping into the Bentley Mulliner customization program ensures the sky’s the limit — the Mulliner W12 starts at $381,400.

GT stands for grand touring, and this two-door sybaritic missile from Bentley is the very definition of the genre. Available in both coupe and convertible guise, the Continental GT’s sumptuous cabin blends modern tech with traditional British craftsmanship. New for 2023 is an S trim (V8 cars only) that adds black exterior trim, two-tone interior, new wheel designs and sport exhaust.

Performance

V8-powered Continental GTs run with the Porsche-developed 4.0L bi-turbo V8, here tuned to 542 horses and 568 lb-ft. Need more? The GT Speed is aptly named. Its 650-hp bi-turbo 6.0L W-12 will push the coupe to a top speed of 335 km/h. Despite both these variants’ formidable pace and agile moves, ultimate passenger comfort is never sacrificed in the name of performance.

Practicality

Although billed a four-seater, the rear seat accommodations in the Conti GT will be tight for full-size adults, and certainly not suitable for long distance travel. Best to consider this wonderful extravagance as a two-person conveyance. Its generous trunk easily holds a weekend’s worth of luggage. Standard all-wheel drive adds on-road security.

Canadian Pricing

With pricing starting at just under $300,000 — the only trim under $300k is the $285,100 V8 — there are several versions of the Continental GT fastback and GTC convertible for 2023, including the GT V8 ($, GT S, Azure, Speed and bespoke Mulliner. The Mulliner W12 runs all the way up to $455,100.

The Continental GTC, launched in 2020, “represents all Bentley knows about creating the world’s most stylish and elegant Grand Tourers — the GT Convertible is the very essence of the luxury brand.”

Bentley Continental GTC Performance

At the heart of the aluminum-bodied Continental GT sits either Bentley’s hand-built 6.0L twin-turbocharged W12 TSI engine, or a 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8. Both are mated to a dual-clutch eight-speed transmission.

The W12, found in GTC Mulliner and GTC Speed, produces 650 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque, and accelerates the Continental GT to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 335 km/h.

The 4.0L V8, found in the Continental S and Azure models, develops 542 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque. It also features dual twin-scroll turbochargers located inside the ‘V’ of the engine, allowing a top speed of 318 km/h and 0-100 km/h in 4.0 seconds. A dedicated Sport Launch mode delivers maximum acceleration through clutch pressure sensing and pre-loading when a race-style start is required by the driver.

Bentley Dynamic Ride, an advanced 48-volt roll control system, controls and adjusts the electronic actuators on the anti-roll bar of each axle, improving handling and ride comfort.

Bentley Continental GTC Efficiency

Heavier than the coupe, the Continental GTCs are particularly profligate. Models with the twin-turbo V8 engine are rated by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) at 16.7 L/100 km in the city, 11.4 on the highway, and 13.7 L/100 km in combined driving, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,862. The W12-engine models are rated at 19.8 L/100 km in the city, 12.7 on the highway, and 16.6 L/100 km in combined driving, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,644.

Bentley Continental GTC Safety

The Bentley Continental GTC has not been rated by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). As for passive and active safety features of the luxury 4-seat convertible, start with the Bentley Rotating Display, with up to 10 sophisticated driver assistance systems available to help the driver in a variety of situations. The top-view camera gives an overhead view of the car and its immediate surroundings via the image processing of pictures provided by four different cameras around the car. This is complemented by reverse traffic warning and self-parking features. A Night Vision infrared camera is in the front of the car and monitors the road up to 300 metres ahead, making driving in poorly lit environments much safer. It detects and warns of moving obstacles such as pedestrians and large animals, allowing them to be viewed in the digital instrument display.

Active lane assist provides gentle steering assistance if it detects any drifting across lane boundaries, while blind-spot assist monitors the area around the car, flashing lights in the door mirrors if the driver attempts to cross the path of another vehicle. An optional head-up display projects relevant information, such as current speed, speed limit, driver assistance and navigation information directly into the driver’s line of sight.

Traffic sign recognition detects speed limits and zones in which overtaking is prohibited. When activated, its information is displayed in the digital instrument display and the head-up display. Even temporary speed restrictions on roads can be detected.

Bentley Continental GTC Reliability

There is no specific information regarding the Continental GTC’s reliability. According to website CarBuzz.com, the 2023 Continental GT performed well with regard to reliability and, “at the time of writing remained recall-free. The 2022 models were recalled twice for incorrectly installed seatbelt assemblies and incorrect airbag information in the manual. The 2021 model did suffer three recalls, too, for the same issues that afflicted 2022 models as well as a faulty front-seat control module that could trap a rear-seat passenger.”

Bentley Continental GTC Interior

The Continental GTC’s cabin is packed with exquisite details such as a “diamond in diamond” leather design, sustainably sourced veneers and hand-polished chrome details. The dashboard is sculpted by long, flowing wings that mirror the shape of the Bentley badge. The centre console is finished to match the lower fascia but can be specified in a technical finish that “is inspired by the delicate mechanical surfacing inside the finest automatic Swiss watches.” A new knurling design is available on the iconic Bullseye vents, bezels and other primary control rotaries.

The 20-way adjustable seats feature smooth centre panels that allow maximum efficiency for the cooling, heating and massage functions, while the bolsters retain the signature Bentley quilting.

A “neckwarmer” is seamlessly integrated into the heated seats, optimizing efficiency and airflow around the electrically adjustable headrests. The styling highlight of the neckwarmer is a chrome centre vane that stretches the full width of the duct, echoing Bentley’s famous ‘bullseye’ vents. Combined with a heated steering wheel, seat heaters and new heated armrests, these comfort features create a luxurious driving experience in all environments.

Bentley Continental GTC Dimensions

Weighing 2,335 kg, the 2+2 Continental GT V8 is 4,850 mm long and 1,399 mm tall. There’s 942 mm of front-seat headroom. Back-seat passengers had better be pre-teens, there’s just 937 mm of headroom. Legroom dimensions are unavailable. Trunk cargo volume is a minuscule 235 litres.

Bentley Continental GTC Canadian Pricing

There’s eight different versions of the Continental GTC, starting with the V8 at $267,000. The GT A V8 goes for $281,600, while the Azure V8 will set you back $320,300. The GT S V8 has an MSRP of $301,300, with the Mulliner V8 costing $3136,000. The GT Speed is $330,000, while the GT Mulliner W12 has a list of $391,100. The eighth and final model, the GT Speed Edition 12, costs $367,200.