2025 Bentley Continental vs 2026 BMW 8 Series

$302,100 · Coupe

$91,700 · Coupe

Comparison Overview

The most striking difference between the 2025 Bentley Continental and the 2026 BMW 8 Series is the MSRP, where the Bentley demands a premium of $302,100 compared to the BMW's $91,700. This staggering $210,400 price gap is justified by substantial performance metrics: the Bentley delivers 771 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque, significantly eclipsing the BMW's 335 hp and 369 lb-ft. Fuel economy shows another vast divergence, with the Bentley achieving a combined 19 MPG while the BMW, although recommended to use premium fuel, offers superior efficiency in daily driving contexts. Furthermore, the Bentley features a 30-mile electric range, a metric entirely absent from the standard 8 Series specifications. The Bentley is slightly larger, measuring 192.7 inches in length versus 191.2 inches for the BMW, despite offering less utility with 9.2 cu ft of cargo space compared to the BMW's 14.8 cu ft.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 BMW 8 Series

The BMW 8 Series is the clear commuter choice due to its significantly lower entry price and better overall fuel economy metrics.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 BMW 8 Series

The 2026 BMW 8 Series offers 14.8 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Bentley's 9.2 cu ft, making it marginally more practical.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Bentley Continental

The 2025 Bentley Continental dominates performance benchmarks with 771 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2026 BMW 8 Series

The $210,400 price difference makes the BMW the undeniable choice when assessing the cost-to-performance ratio.

Choose the Bentley Continental if...

Maximum performance is required, as evidenced by the 771 hp output.
Hybrid operation is desired, indicated by the 30-mile electric range capability.
A vehicle requiring required premium unleaded fuel and an all-wheel-drive system is preferred.

Choose the BMW 8 Series if...

Budget constraints necessitate an MSRP under $100,000, starting at $91,700.
Greater practical utility is needed, demonstrated by 14.8 cu ft of cargo space.
A lower initial investment is prioritized over extreme power, with 335 hp available.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Bentley Continental	BMW 8 Series
Length	192.7"	191.2"
Width	77.4"	74.9"
Height	55.0"	53.0"
Wheelbase	112.2"	111.1"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Bentley	BMW
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	—
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	—
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	—
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	2	2
Rear Integrated Headrests	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	—	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	—	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Brake Drying	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Front Power Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Bentley	BMW
Base Engine Displacement	4.0 L	3.0 L
Number of Cylinders	V8	inline 6
Base Engine Type	plug-in hybrid	gas
Horsepower	771 hp	335 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque	738 lb-ft	369 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm
Number of Valves	32	24
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Bentley	BMW
Transmission Type	8-speed automated manual	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	rear wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	—
Rear Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Bentley	BMW
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (required)	premium unleaded (recommended)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	17/22 MPG	—
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	19 MPG	—
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	357.0/462.0 mi.	0/0 mi.
EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe)	49/57 MPGe	—
EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe)	46 MPGe	—
EPA Electric Driving Range	30 mi.	—
EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi)	64	—
Charging Time (240V)	3.0 hr.	—
Fuel Tank Capacity	21.0 gal.	18.0 gal.
DC Fast Charging Port Type	SAE J1772	—

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Bentley	BMW
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Front View Camera	✓	—
Side View Camera	✓	—
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	—
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	—
Driver Assisted Parking Assist	✓	—
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	✓
Cruise Control	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Steering Wheel Material	Leather and Simulated Suede	—
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Front Seatback Storage	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Bentley	BMW
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Stereo Power	650W	464W
Speaker System	10	16
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Memory Card Slot	✓	—
Premium Speaker Brand	—	Harman/Kardon
Subwoofer Count	—	2
Surround Audio	—	Discrete
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	12 months
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Bentley	BMW
One-Touch Power Windows	2	2
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Dual Mirrors	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Passenger Mirror	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Bentley	BMW
Front Head Room	37.6 in.	38.9 in.
Front Leg Room	42.0 in.	42.1 in.
Seat Material: Premium Leather/Sueded Microfiber	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	—
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	12-way	14-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Driver Seat Memory Settings	2	2
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	12-way	14-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Passenger Seat Memory Settings	2	2
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Front Shoulder Room	—	57.2 in.
Seat Material: Premium Leather	—	✓
Front Seat Type: Sport	—	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	—	2-way
Driver Seat Thigh Extension	—	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	2-way
Passenger Seat Thigh Extension	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Bentley	BMW
Rear Head Room	36.7 in.	33.6 in.
Rear Leg Room	32.1 in.	29.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	—	46.9 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Bentley	BMW
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Diameter	22 in	—
Tire Type	Performance	—
Tire Size	315/30R	275/35R19
Wheel Size	—	19 x 9.0 in
Run Flat Tires	—	✓

Suspension

Feature	Bentley	BMW
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Bentley	BMW
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ unlimited mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	3 yr./ unlimited mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	3 yr./ unlimited mi.	12 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ unlimited mi.	4 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Bentley Continental and 2026 BMW 8 Series.

What is the primary performance difference between these two coupes?

The 2025 Bentley Continental offers substantially more power, delivering 771 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque, creating a 436 hp advantage over the 2026 BMW 8 Series' 335 hp output.

How does the fuel economy compare given the Bentley's electric range?

The Bentley Continental has a stated combined MPG of 19, which is significantly lower than what the BMW is expected to achieve, although the Bentley does supplement this with an independent 30-mile electric range.

Is the extra cost of the Bentley justified by its size and utility?

No, the Bentley is slightly longer at 192.7 inches but offers significantly less cargo capacity (9.2 cu ft vs. 14.8 cu ft), suggesting that utility does not favor the higher-priced model.

Which vehicle utilizes an AWD system?

The 2025 Bentley Continental features an all-wheel drive system, whereas the 2026 BMW 8 Series comes standard with a rear-wheel drive configuration.

What is the exact MSRP gap between the two vehicles?

The entry price discrepancy is $210,400, with the Bentley starting at $302,100 and the BMW 8 Series beginning at $91,700.

Which car mandates premium fuel usage?

The 2025 Bentley Continental explicitly requires premium unleaded fuel for its high-output engine, while premium unleaded is only recommended for the 2026 BMW 8 Series.