2025 Bentley Continental GT First Drive: Why This Jeweled Hybrid Will Make You Smile
As I pulled into the porte-cochere of my hotel, the front doors opened and a fashionably hip man with flowing locks walked out. Spying the Jetstream Blue Bentley Continental GTC (and, I’d like to think, the blonde behind the wheel), he walked past the car, then spun on his heel and positioned his phone to take a selfie.
As the man continued to take photos, a nattily dressed gentleman, the hotel’s manager, came through the front door with a huge smile and sing-song greeting.
That’s the reaction that this car, which is priced from about $300,000, elicits, and the reaction I’d had all day. While shooting video on a mountainside, passersby stopped to take photos, grinning at the opportunity. In a windswept parking lot amid a rain cloud, the few tourists around slowed to look. All in a place where cars like this are not unusual. But it’s this car in particular that inspires a feeling of happiness, of optimism, of envy rather than jealousy.
This story is 100% human researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. No AI was used. Additionally, I was Bentley’s guest for this test drive, though all opinions are my own.
Video: We toured and test drove the 2025 Bentley Continental GTC
A Demure Exterior Belies the Power Underneath
If you’re the one behind the wheel, you’re smiling too, probably for many of the same reasons.
It starts with the shape and style of this car, which is demure, to use a perfect though overused word. But demure it is: the silhouette of the Bentley Continental GT’s toned curves are elegant without being pretentious. Its new headlights are still framed by crystal, but accented by a winky ‘eyebrow’ that gives it both flair and character. Its crystal cut tail lights add a jewel-like feel to its pert rear end. Overall, the design allows the viewer to contemplate it rather than witness it scream its importance at the world.
Read: What It’s Like to Drive the Most Beautiful Car on the Road: 2024 Bentley Continental GTC
This is the Most Powerful Bentley Ever Built
Underneath lies a 771 HP powertrain that also has a demure character, until prodded, and then, it growls and gurgles. The Bentley Continental GT starts quietly thanks to its hybrid powertrain. But turn the dial to B mode and you get a hint of the V8 under the hood.
Turn the dial to the left once more to Sport and you’ll hear the full force of he V8 ready to unfurl, throaty and anxious. That’s the sound Bentley Continental owners have loved over the past 20 years and 100,000 models sold.
Read: This is What the Bentley Bentayga Hybrid Is Like To Drive
A Plug-in Hybrid Powertrain Sets the Stage for the Future of Bentley
The way we power our cars is evolving and hybrid technology is quickly becoming either a power boost or a fuel saver, or both. Bentley is the latest to take up this technology, which rolls out first in the Continental GT.
Bentley chose to go the ‘both’ route, adding a 187 HP electric motor to the 584 HP gas-powered V8 engine for a full measure of 771 HP, but also allowing about 50 miles of all electric driving if you choose. For starting up the car and not rattling your passengers, those standing around you in the valet or as in my driveway, a cat napping under the warmth of the undercarriage, this is a gift.
For those who, like me, hate going to the gas station and avoid it as much as possible, the idea of being able to charge up at home for everyday errands is glorious. 50 miles of driving is a good number, too. My workspace is 23 miles away. In plug-in hybrid electric cars with a lower range I can’t make it the whole way and back without the gas engine kicking on.
Read: Serenity And Sustainability With The Bentley 2022 Flying Spur Hybrid
You Can Forget It’s a Plug-in Hybrid, and That’s OK, Too
Being able to decide how you want to power your car is the ultimate luxury (did I mention I hate going to the gas station?). But if you’re one who doesn’t mind the smell of gas, loves the promise of premium fuel and is ok with the extra time it takes to stop for gas, you’re in luck: the experience is yours to have.
If you’d like to drive in all electric, you can do that too; E-Mode gives you that option. But Bentley Continental goes a step further in allowing you to exercise your electric druthers: in addition to using a charger, you can charge the battery by putting the car in charge mode while driving and the gas engine will charge the battery. Isn’t that thoughtful?
Driving The Most Powerful Bentley Ever Built
We started our test drive with a full battery charge, but by half way through the day, it was depleted. We didn’t notice. The Bentley accelerated beautifully on hills at high altitudes without hesitation, as you’d expect. It turned up the volume and power in Sport mode. It delivered a ride as breathtaking as we were comfortable with on the winding mountain highways we traveled.
And, on less intimidating straightaways, I was able to pop the drive mode into Sport and feel the pull of all 738 pound-feet of torque, impressively increased from the outgoing 12-cylinder engine, which produced 650 HP and 664 torque. That’s the magic of hybrid electric power.
Which Would You Choose: The Coupe or the Convertible?
Lucky for us, we didn’t have to choose. Our drive day started out in the Continental GT Speed, the hard-top coupe version of the 2025 Bentley Continental. Ours was finished in Gravity Gray, a muted dark gray that looked stunningly strong even against a gray sky, was finished in Damson, an eggplant-colored microsuede and leather with blue accents from Scottish leather maker Bridge of Weir, the house that also provides upholstery for Aston Martin, Rolls Royce, Polestar and others.
Halfway through the day, and at a mountain pass where the temperature was about 40 degrees Fahrenheit, we swapped the coupe for a convertible finished in Jetstream Blue on the outside and a dark navy leather and sueded interior accented in red. While I do like the roof line and overall silhouette of the coupe, I find the interior of the convertible with the top up to be more comfortable; there’s something about the lovely fabric overhead that adds coziness.
We headed out on our journey, and then, it started to rain.
Go Ahead, Take the Top Down; Damn the Weather
ou might think of a convertible as a fair-weather car; I certainly would. Until I drove the Continental GTC (‘C’ stands for convertible) on a cold rainy day. Inside the cabin you’d hardly notice the rain. The seven-rib double cover design has plenty of insulation; we only heard the gentle patter of rain and almost nothing else. Conversation was easy and my drive partner’s Reggae playlist filled the cabin perfectly.
Luckily, later in the afternoon the clouds cleared and though the temperature remained chilly, of course, I put the top down. This is part of this car’s charm: to drive open-air when the average convertible would still be top up. And it was perfectly comfortable. The Bentley’s “Air Scarf” feature blows warm air on your neck, adding to the warmth of the heated
Luxury Design Is an Evolution of Familiar, Cherished Details
Luxury design is more evolution than revolution, a mantra Bentley takes to heart. So it was with a lot of consideration, and discussions with owners, that the brand’s design team approached the design of the 2025 Continental. There are a few key changes: the headlights and tail lights, and on the interior, new seats, door panels and center console storage, all framed in contrast leather that frames the cabin (though, buyers can choose a monotone approach to the cabin if they wish).
The headlights are the most distinct change. While Bentley preserved the use of crystal to reflect and amplify the light produced, the shape of the headlights are now oval, slashed across the top by an “eyebrow” light that adds a dash of motion to the headlights. Under the center block lights there are Y shaped reflectors that amplify the light from below.
On the rear, new tail lights have a horizontal teardrop shape and more cut crystal under a red cover; gone is the oval tail light with a chrome frame that defined the last design. The overall look and feel is modern and elegant, even for holdouts like me who really loved the prior design for its use of crystal.
What Hasn’t Changed In the Bentley Continental, Including the Jewelry
With the last generation design, Bentley made a major upgrade to the technology and exterior design of the Continental, changes that remain mostly in tact. There are subtle differences, but overall the exterior look is the not noticeably different.
Also unchanged is Bentley’s dedication to jewelry. Yes, jewelry—a lovely concept. You’ll notice many jeweled details inside and outside the Continental, from the crystal cut headlights and tail lights to the textural metal bezels on the command center dials. On the rotating center display, a triple sided display that rotates you’ll see either the multimedia touch screen, a continuation of the dashboard veneer or a trio of bezel set crystal topped gauges. Tap the ‘screen’ button to rotate between the gauges and screen, or hold it for a second to set it to display the veneer.
And of course, there’s the Bentley Flying B badge, a jewel-like detail that adds double function: it also serves as the trunk release. Just push the “B” to open the boot.
Dive Deep in to the Bentley Dream with the Configurator
If you find yourself unable to sleep in the middle of the night and need something to dream about, try the Bentley Configurator. With more than four million combination options, you can dive deep into the Bentley dream. If you really want to go deep, contemplate Mulliner details, the top end of refined options. Bentley proudly says 75% of customers opt for Mulliner details in their designs, and that’s not a surprise.
The Configurator is where you’ll start your Bentley Continental journey, as nearly every model is specified by the buyer; it’s the rare occasion to walk into a dealership and buy one off the floor (though, it can happen). But the Configurator is where you’ll want to start for something as special and as pricey as this car.
What the Bentley Continental GT Speed, or GTC, Costs
The base model of the 2025 Bentley Continental GT is $302,100 for the coupe, and $332,200 for the convertible. The price represents about a $12,000 difference between the 2024 convertible to the 2025 model, due in part to the new powertrain and also, the redesign and added upgrades.
The Bentley Continental comes equipped with heated and vented front seats with massage, heated front arm rest, the touring package with lane guidance, predictive adaptive cruise control, night vision and head up display, and a choice of interior colors and finishes.
And then, there are options. First Edition buyers will get Naim audio, the rotating display, animated welcome lighting, articulating front seats, mood lighting and First Edition badges for $30,940 in the GT and $41,190 in the GTC. Our GT Speed test model also came with the carbon ceramic brakes ($18,820), sport wheels ($4,000) and Contrast stitching ($3,930) for a total MSRP of $373,190. Our convertible test model came equipped with ceramic brakes ($18,820), 22″ wheels ($4,000) and extended range paint ($8,655) for a total of $413,530.
What I Loved, and What I’d Do Differently, In the 2025 Bentley Continental
There’s a lot to love here: the powerful, but elegantly quiet engine; the new seats and door panel designs; the modern and visionary design—as well as the design details that didn’t change.
What would I do differently were it my Continental? I’d certainly start with the convertible, and I might have said before, I’m not a convertible fan, but in this two-door, four-seat coupe, the convertible is a dream. Then, I’d add cream or off-white upholstery. I’m not sure I’d go for the contrasting color surround, as the designers of our test cars did, though I’d certainly opt for contrast stitching and piping. On the exterior I’d probably go with navy— I’m a fan of navy and white for a crisp, fresh feel, though I liked the glowy light blue Breeze color of the last model I drove. I did find the Magenta paint to be quite beautiful, a true feel-good color. And I’d definitely dive into Mulliner options for a truly bespoke Bentley feel.
But that’s about all I’d change. The drive experience was quite satisfying; the cabin is comfortable and welcoming. The Naim sound system, a premium option, delivered the perfect backdrop for conversation or singing among the hills and valleys of my drive (apologies to any passersby who may have been off-put by my off-key tone). And the smiles and happy greetings that this car elicits? That might be the best benefit of all.
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