Bentley Continental 4th generation (2024–2026)
Generation-specific owner insights from 94+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
1
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2024–2026
0
recall campaigns
structure
most-complained area
What owners say about this generation
Our take, from owner reports
Owner sentiment for the 2024-2026 Continental is mixed and heavily design-focused.
10 problems reported (1 very frequent, 2 recurrent, 7 isolated) · medium confidence
Problems owners report
- Very frequentFront headlight redesign criticized as losing Bentley's iconic quad-lamp identity and looking generic, Hyundai-like, or Audi-like
- RecurrentAsymmetric sensor/camera placement on one side of the grille
Described as visually bothersome and lacking a symmetrical faux counterpart.
- RecurrentBraking performance measured as weak for the car's price and power
With owners questioning why stronger brakes were not fitted.
+ 7 more issuesShow fewer
- IsolatedConcern that the many moving parts and screens will break within a few years
- IsolatedInterior wood trim replaced by a dashboard-matching panel, seen as a downgrade
- IsolatedRear light design criticized as a step backward
- IsolatedSoft-top design on the GTC criticized as unattractive when closed
- IsolatedMusic volume automatically lowering in reverse cannot be disabled
- IsolatedDepreciation described as extremely rapid
- IsolatedHybrid powertrain seen as making the car less special than the W12
The version owners recommend
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus. The strongest partial signal favors the Speed trim, which owners describe as very luxurious and the version most discussed for its improved drivetrain, and one owner explicitly said they would choose the Continental GT Speed over the DB12. A minority regret the loss of the W12 and say they would not want a V8 GT Speed, preferring a V8 GT from another brand instead. No consensus exists on model year within the generation.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the Aston Martin DB11, Aston Martin DB12, Genesis, Tesla Model S Plaid and Rolls-Royce.
Is a 2024–2026 Continental right for you?
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Overall sentiment
Owner sentiment for the 2024-2026 Continental is mixed and heavily design-focused. The dominant praise centers on the interior, which owners repeatedly call stellar and a benchmark that other luxury brands should study, along with the significantly improved powertrain: more power, better performance, and better handling from the plug-in-hybrid V8. The dominant criticism is the redesigned front lighting: a large share of owners say the car has lost its iconic quad-lamp identity and now reads as generic, Hyundai-like, or Audi-like, with several calling the new "eyebrow" treatment a step backward. A smaller but notable theme is concern that the car's many moving parts and screens will not hold up over time, and that the price no longer feels justified against cheaper rivals with comparable interiors. Early (2024) discussion is dominated by leaked/revealed design reactions, while 2025 discussion shifts toward real-world impressions, test drives, and braking performance figures.
Positioning vs competitors
Owners position this generation as the more luxurious and more practical grand tourer against the Aston Martin DB12, citing superior interior quality, comfort, and usable rear seats versus the DB12's effectively unusable back seats, while also noting the DB12's software troubles as a reason buyers land on the Continental. Against Genesis, opinion is split: some owners argue a Genesis delivers a comparable interior and similar look for far less money, while others counter that materials, stitching, and panel gaps do not compare. Against the Tesla Model S Plaid, owners concede the Plaid is faster but describe it as lacking character and luxury. Against the BMW M3, owners draw a clear line that the Continental is a luxury grand tourer and not a sports sedan, and should not be cross-shopped for driving dynamics. Some owners also frame the Continental as the car you move up to when mainstream luxury brands have gone cheap and plasticky.
Recommended configurations
Insufficient owner data available. Owners who pre-ordered the GTC Speed cited the improved drivetrain: more power, more performance, better handling: as their reason, and one owner considering purchase was advised that the car looks and drives like a dream. Beyond that, discussions do not converge on a specific configuration recommendation.
General recommendations
This generation suits buyers who prioritize interior quality, comfort, and grand-touring capability over outright sports-sedan dynamics, and who want a hybrid with smooth power delivery. Buyers who consider the quad headlights essential to Bentley identity should look carefully at the new front end in person before committing, since that is the single most common objection. Owners repeatedly stress that the car must be seen in person, as several who disliked the lights in photos found them far more detailed and attractive up close. Prospective buyers concerned about headroom were advised to sit in a 2024 model, set a comfortable seating position, and measure the remaining gap rather than speculate. Buyers weighing cost of ownership were warned that price and service may no longer feel worth it relative to rivals. No model year within the generation is recommended for avoidance based on owner discussion.
Remarks
A recurring theme across discussions is that this generation marks a brand transition toward electrification, and owners treat the hybrid powertrain as the defining change of the generation rather than a styling refresh. Several owners note the interior is only marginally different from the previous generation, which some see as continuity and others as a missed opportunity. One owner who attended a private dealer showing reported that the car looks gorgeous in person but that the new green color option is widely disliked. A separate discussion about a 2025 model year car in a celebrity photoshoot concluded the vehicle pictured was actually a previous generation, indicating owners are actively distinguishing the 4th generation by its headlamps. Analysis based on approximately 94 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
Complaints and recalls by model year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 0 | structure |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Owner insights summarize real ownership discussions for this generation only. Complaint and recall data is public NHTSA (US) information. Always verify recalls against your VIN at nhtsa.gov.