2021 Bentley Continental — Full Specifications
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The 2021 Bentley Continental is a coupe offered with 2 engines (4L 8-cyl turbo, 6L 12-cyl turbo). Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 23 mpg (UK) / 19 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 18–23 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Bentley Continental workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2020 Bentley Continental: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 23 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged. EPA passenger volume changes from 87 to 77 cu ft.
Full Specifications
| Engine (most efficient) | 4L 8-cyl turbo |
|---|---|
| Engine options | 4L 8-cyl turbo · 6L 12-cyl turbo |
| Transmission (most efficient) | Automatic (AM-S8) |
| Fuel Type | Premium Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | All-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | Coupe |
| Passenger Volume (EPA) | 77 cu ft (2,180 L) |
| Luggage Volume (EPA) | 6 cu ft (170 L) |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 23 combined / 19 urban / 31 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 19 combined / 16 city / 26 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 291 g/km |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | 3 / 10 (10 = lowest emissions) |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $4,350 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 2 configurations for the 2021 Bentley Continental across 2 engines (4L 8-cyl turbo, 6L 12-cyl turbo). Combined fuel economy ranges from 15 to 19 mpg (US), or 18 to 23 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 | 19 (16/26) | 291 | $4,350 |
| 6L 12-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 15 (12/19) | 373 | $5,500 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 77 cubic feet (about 2,180 litres) and luggage volume at 6 cubic feet (about 170 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures; they are measured differently from the boot capacity numbers UK manufacturers quote.
Owner Essentials for the 2021 Bentley Continental
Running Costs: 2021 Bentley Continental
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2021 Bentley Continental at 23 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,581 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $4,350 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2021 Bentley Continental Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
No NHTSA crash-test rating is on record for this model year. The NHTSA rates only a subset of vehicles each year; you can browse every rated vehicle on our NHTSA Safety Ratings hub.
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns that include the 2021 Bentley Continental (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Seat belts (1), Equipment (1), Seats (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Seat belts — campaign 22V177000, reported 23 March 2022. Risk: A missing ALR on a passenger seat belt may not properly secure a child restraint, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
- Equipment — campaign 21V975000, reported 15 December 2021. Risk: The incorrect information may change how occupants position themselves in relation to the air bags, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Seats — campaign 21V550000, reported 21 July 2021. Risk: The rear passenger may become trapped by the front seat, increasing the risk of injury.
Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Bentley Continental. The most-reported areas are Seats (2), Steering (1).
Used-buyer checklist for the 2021 Bentley Continental
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Seats (1 recall campaign · 2 owner complaints) — Check seat adjusters, head restraints and seat-mounted sensors work, and confirm seat recalls were completed.
- Seat belts (1 recall campaign) — Check every belt latches and retracts properly and that any restraint recalls were completed.
- Steering (1 owner complaint) — Check for play, noise or heavy steering, and ask whether any steering recall work was done.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Bentley Continental compare to similar coupes? For context, coupes in our database average around 25 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 23 mpg figure is 2 mpg below that average. Its 291 g/km CO₂ figure is 13 g/km higher than the 278 g/km average for coupes on this site. This comparison is based on 1072 coupes in our dataset.
Bentley models in our database average about 19 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2021 Bentley Continental's 23 mpg is 4 mpg above that make average. Its 291 g/km CO₂ figure is 64 g/km lower than the 355 g/km Bentley average.
Of the 15 Bentley Continental model years we cover, the 2021 is the most economical on its best configuration (23 mpg UK combined). See every Bentley Continental year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2021 Bentley Continental
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2021 Bentley Continental have?
EPA lists 2 engines for the 2021 Bentley Continental: 4L 8-cyl turbo, 6L 12-cyl turbo. The most fuel-efficient configuration pairs the 4L 8-cyl turbo with a automatic (am-s8).
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Bentley Continental?
The most efficient configuration returns around 23 mpg (UK) combined, or 19 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 18 to 23 mpg.
How much does the 2021 Bentley Continental cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $4,350 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2021 Bentley Continental have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns that include the 2021 Bentley Continental (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Seat belts (1), Equipment (1), Seats (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2021 Bentley Continental?
Among the 3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Seats (2 complaints), Steering (1 complaint). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
How much interior and luggage space does the 2021 Bentley Continental have?
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 77 cubic feet (about 2,180 litres) and luggage volume at 6 cubic feet (about 170 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures, which are measured differently from the UK boot-capacity numbers manufacturers quote.
Is the Bentley Continental's fuel economy good for a coupe?
It returns around 23 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 25 mpg among the coupes we track.