Compare the2024 BMW 8 SeriesVS 2023 Bentley Continental GT

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The 8 Series offers an optional Active Park Distance Control 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 8 Series’ standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Continental GT.

The 8 Series’ 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 8 Series and the Continental GT have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The 8 Series 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 8 Series’ corrosion warranty is 9 years longer than the Continental GT’s (12 vs. 3 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 8 Series for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Bentley doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Continental GT.

There are over 7 times as many BMW dealers as there are Bentley dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 8 Series’ warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 8 Series first among large premium cars in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The Continental GT isn’t in the top three in its category.

As tested in Car and Driver the M850i 4.4 turbo V8 is faster than the Bentley Continental GT turbo V8:

On the EPA test cycle the 8 Series Coupe gets better mileage than the Continental GT Coupe:

On the EPA test cycle the 8 Series Convertible gets better mileage than the Continental GT GTC:

Regenerative brakes improve the 8 Series’ fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Continental GT doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The 8 Series stops shorter than the Continental GT:

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the 8 Series 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 BMW 8 Series may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 to 850 pounds less than the Bentley Continental GT.

The front grille of the 8 Series uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Continental GT doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the 8 Series Convertible a Subcompact car, while the Continental GT GTC is rated a Minicompact.

The 8 Series Coupe has a much larger trunk than the Continental GT (14.8 vs. 12.6 cubic feet).

The 8 Series Convertible has a much larger trunk with its top down than the Continental GTC (12.4 vs. 6 cubic feet).

The 8 Series’ 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 8 Series 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 8 Series’ 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.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the 8 Series has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Continental GT doesn’t offer cornering lights. The 8 Series also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

Both the 8 Series and the Continental GT offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the 8 Series 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 8 Series’ optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park 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 BMW 8 Series comes in coupe, convertible and sedan bodystyles; the Bentley Continental GT isn’t available as a sedan.

The 8 Series is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The Continental GT doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The BMW 8 Series outsold the Bentley Continental GT by over five to one during 2022.