Bentley Continental GT coupe (2010-2017) - Interior & comfort

The Bentley name is synonymous with indulgence and few will be disappointed by the pleasures that wait for them inside the Continental GT. Hand-stitched leather, plump chairs and highly polished wood surfaces abound, yet somehow things manage not to look overdone or tacky.

The ambience is certainly one of luxury and the supple ride only adds to the Bentley’s ability to effortlessly absorb long journeys. Despite the massive wheels and tyres, potholes are seldom felt by passengers – even the Supersports, with its stiffer suspension springs, is rarely fazed by poor road surfaces. Its sportiness can only just be felt, with potholes gently tarnishing an otherwise cosseting ride.

Bentley Continental GT dashboard

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The overall interior quality of the Continental GT is impeccable. Most of what you see is hand-finished and eyes are drawn to details like the polished metal air vents and Breitling branded clock. Subtle metal highlights are not only great to look at but very tactile and add a real sense of quality. The centre of the dashboard is dominated by the touchscreen infotainment system, with most of the controls laid out neatly underneath, although the tall gearlever leans quite far forward and can obstruct some.

If we had to pick fault, it would be that the paddles for changing gear are mounted on the steering column, rather than the wheel itself. That means they don't turn with the wheel, so mid-corner gearchanges can be awkward.

Equipment

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The Continental's infotainment system has been heavily revised to make sure it's up to date with the demands of luxury-car buyers. It incorporates DAB digital radio, sat nav and 15GB of hard-drive music storage space, so you can listen to a library of music in your car without having to fiddle with a smartphone or MP3 players. However, it’s not quite as up-to-date as systems from Mercedes or Audi.

Options

In case you don’t think your Supersports is distinctive enough, you can choose an additional rear spoiler or go all-out with the ‘X Specification’ pack. This brings a range of two-tone paint finishes and special tri-tone interior trim styles.

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Continental GT buyers can also turn to Bentley’s Mulliner division, which can draw up bespoke styling and accessory packages to tailor the car to your exact taste. Meanwhile, the Continental GT options list includes an abundance of different-coloured leathers with contrasting stitching and colour co-ordinated carpets as well as choosing from a range of dashboard veneers.

Technology like adaptive cruise control (which automatically maintains a safe distance from the car in front) and a wi-fi hotspot can be fitted. Options like these are expensive, though, adding to the already high cost of the car – but in truth that's unlikely to matter much to the average Bentley customer.