Compare the2023 Mercedes E-Class CabrioletVS 2023 Bentley Continental GT

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The E-Class Cabriolet has a standard Maneuvering Brake Function that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Continental GT doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The E-Class Cabriolet’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Continental GT doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the E-Class Cabriolet and the Continental GT have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and lane departure warning systems.

The E-Class Cabriolet comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Continental GT’s 3-year basic warranty expires 1 year sooner.

The E-Class Cabriolet’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Continental GT’s (5 vs. 3 years).

There are almost 8 times as many Mercedes dealers as there are Bentley dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the E-Class Cabriolet’s warranty.

On the EPA test cycle the E-Class Cabriolet gets better mileage than the Continental GT GTC:

Regenerative brakes improve the E-Class Cabriolet’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Continental GT doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet higher (6 out of 10) than the Bentley Continental GT (3). This means the E-Class Cabriolet produces up to 23.4 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Continental GT every 15,000 miles.

The EPA certifies the Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet as an “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV). The Bentley Continental GT is only certified to “Low Emissions Vehicle” (LEV) standards.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Continental GT.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the E-Class Cabriolet can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Continental GT doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The E-Class Cabriolet’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Continental GT doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 850 pounds less than the Bentley Continental GT.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the E-Class Cabriolet a Subcompact car, while the Continental GT GTC is rated a Minicompact.

The E-Class Cabriolet has 10 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Continental GTC (87 vs. 77).

The E-Class Cabriolet has a much larger trunk with its top down than the Continental GTC (9.5 vs. 6 cubic feet).

The E-Class Cabriolet’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Continental GT doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

If the windows are left open on the E-Class Cabriolet the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Continental GT can’t use the remote to operate the windows.

The E-Class Cabriolet’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Continental GT’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Heated windshield washer fluid is standard on the E-Class Cabriolet to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The Continental GT doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the E-Class Cabriolet has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Continental GT doesn’t offer cornering lights. The E-Class Cabriolet also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the E-Class Cabriolet has standard extendable sun visors. The Continental GT only offers a small additional center visor.

Both the E-Class Cabriolet and the Continental GT offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the E-Class Cabriolet has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Continental GT doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The E-Class Cabriolet’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Continental GT’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

The Mercedes E-Class comes in coupe, convertible, sedan and station wagon bodystyles; the Bentley Continental GT isn’t available as a sedan or station wagon.

The E-Class Cabriolet is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The Continental GT doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Motor Trend selected the E-Class as their 2021 Car of the Year. The Continental GT has never been chosen.

The Mercedes E-Class/CLS outsold the Bentley Continental GT by almost 13 to one during 2022.