2026 Bentley Continental GT
Quick Answer: The 2026 Continental GT (entry model)
The car Bentley simply calls the Continental GT is the entry point into the 2026 range, and it undersells itself by being called that. It carries the same 671-horsepower plug-in hybrid V8 as the S and Azure, the same standard all-wheel drive, the same 8-speed automatic, and the same roughly 30 miles of electric-only range. What it doesn't carry is the S's darker chassis tuning or the Azure's wellness seating, Bentley's description is "the essence of Bentley's vision for luxury grand touring," and that's a fair read: smooth, responsive performance without a specific edge pushed one direction or another. Bentley does not publish an MSRP for this or any 2026 trim; it's built to order at Bentley Manhattan on 11th Avenue.
The starting point, not a stripped-down one
There's a habit, with entry trims on luxury cars, of assuming "base" means something got left out. It doesn't, here. Every 2026 Continental GT, including this one, comes standard with the City Specification driver-assistance suite (parking aid and collision avoidance built for the kind of tight, unpredictable driving Manhattan traffic actually produces), wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bentley's new My Bentley App Studio, a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot, and a choice of three hi-fi audio systems. Wheels run up to 22 inches even at this level, and the interior customization, leather, veneer, stitching, is the full Bentley configurator, not a scaled-back version of it.
What separates this model from S and Azure is mostly about intent rather than equipment. Bentley built the S with a firmer, darker attitude and the Azure around long-distance comfort with wellness-oriented seating; the base Continental GT sits between them, tuned for balanced, everyday grand touring rather than a specific character. For a first Bentley, or for a buyer who wants the range's core experience without leaning toward sport or comfort, it's arguably the easiest one to defend.
The powertrain underneath
A 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 plug-in hybrid makes 671 horsepower and 686 lb-ft of torque here, enough for a 0-60 run in roughly 3.5 seconds, which is not a number this car needs to apologize for even sitting below Speed and Mulliner in the lineup. All-wheel drive and an 8-speed automatic are standard. EPA rates the plug-in system at around 30 miles of electric-only range and roughly 19 mpg combined once the V8 is doing the work; a Level 2 home charger gets a full charge in about three hours, which is realistic overnight charging for most Manhattan buyers with access to a garage or a charging-equipped spot.
Frequently asked questions
Is the base Continental GT worth it compared to the S or Azure?
For most buyers, yes, because the powertrain and the core technology are identical to the S and Azure; what changes is chassis tuning and seat design, not capability. Someone cross-shopping this model against the S should drive both, since the difference is genuinely a feel question rather than a spec-sheet one, and a test drive at Bentley Manhattan settles it faster than any comparison chart.
Does the base Continental GT have all-wheel drive?
Yes. All-wheel drive is standard across every 2026 Continental GT model, not an option reserved for higher trims, which matters for a car that will see a New York winter.
How much horsepower does the 2026 Continental GT have?
The entry Continental GT makes 671 horsepower and 686 lb-ft of torque from its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 plug-in hybrid, the same output the S and Azure carry, and enough for 0-60 in roughly 3.5 seconds. Speed and Mulliner step up to a separate 771-horsepower tune.
How far can the 2026 Continental GT run on electricity alone?
EPA rates the plug-in system at around 30 miles of electric-only range, with roughly 19 mpg combined once the V8 is doing the work. A Level 2 home charger returns a full charge in about three hours, which makes overnight charging realistic for a Manhattan owner with a garage or a charging-equipped spot.
What driver-assistance equipment is standard on the Continental GT?
Every 2026 Continental GT, including this one, comes standard with the City Specification suite, which bundles parking aid and collision avoidance built for tight, unpredictable low-speed driving. The Touring Specification, with adaptive cruise and night vision, is standard on Azure and Mulliner rather than on the entry car.
See it in Manhattan
The Continental GT is on the showroom floor at Bentley Manhattan alongside the rest of the 2026 range, which makes it easy to compare directly against S and Azure in person rather than by spec sheet. The Continental GT trim comparison guide walks through how the full range breaks down, and the Continental GT pricing & buying guide covers how Bentley Manhattan handles configuration and quoting since there's no fixed sticker to point to.
More Continental GT research
Bentley does not publish an official MSRP for the 2026 Continental GT; the vehicle is built to order. Horsepower, torque, and EPA figures per Bentley Motors and fueleconomy.gov for the certified powertrain configuration; real-world range and efficiency vary with options and driving conditions.