Why Are Bentleys So Expensive? 10 Reasons

Since 1919, Bentley has progressed to a luxury brand known for convenience and comfort, being one of the first brands that comes to mind when you think of luxury cars. However, with price tags that can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars, they are most undoubtedly expensive. In this article, we’ll review all the factors contributing to the astronomical price tag.

Every model of Bentley is handcrafted, from the chassis construction to the individualized interior and exterior design. Powerful engines and unrivaled customer service are also hallmarks of the brand. The luxurious interior, brand recognition, and prestige of being a Bentley owner all add to its price tag.

Bentley Pricing

Bentley pricings vary based on model and customizations, with the most expensive selling at auction for $7.6 million. On average, a new Bentley costs $305k. While you can get one for as little as $230k, you’ll have to spend $380k for a Continental GT coupe with upgrades.

Most Expensive Bentley

While the 2023 SUV Bentayga range is currently the most expensive of models, it pales compared to some of the most highly-priced Bentleys sold. These older models are collector favorites that continue to impress in terms of their artistic finesse. Following are some of the highest-sold Bentley cars.

Cheapest Bentley

The starting price for a fairer SUV Bentayga is $195,000, and the 2023 Hybrid models have a starting price of $165,000. Despite the price tag on the latest model of the Bentayga, it is still the least expensive compared to other models.

Even if you go for a cheaper option, the price increases with each upgrade you decide to add, e.g., larger wheels, an extended wheelbase, and other extra features. You can keep the price affordable by choosing the standard manufacturer version of the Bentley.

Top 10 Reasons Why Bentleys Are So Expensive

1. Quality Of Materials

Every Bentley is handcrafted with care and precision, using only the highest quality materials. In order to provide a luxury feel, Bentley uses the finest materials available for all parts of the car.

• The exterior body panels: are made from stainless steel, which is laser-welded for superior strength and durability. This also keeps the car light while ensuring strength.
• The interior: features soft leather, real wood veneers, and other luxurious materials. Even the smallest details, such as hardware fixtures and door handles, are crafted from high-quality metals or polished woods.
• To meet safety standards and achieve maximum reliability: quality materials are also incorporated into other parts of the car. The headlights have LEDs which are more efficient and durable. Ceramic or iron brake pads in cars such as the Continental GT allow for optimum braking performance while being environmentally friendly and long-lasting.
• Imported, quality materials: The high-quality materials used in Bentleys often come from exotic parts of the world, meaning it costs more to get all the materials together to build the car. For example, Bentley does not use leather from cows raised in pastures secured by barbed wire, as this could scar the leather.

2. Luxurious Interior

The interior of a Bentley is one of its defining features. It features the finest wood, leather, carbon fiber, and even stone. Each element is carefully chosen to provide a luxurious experience. All of these add to the price of a Bentley.

• Wood and Veneer: The woods used for their veneers come from trees all over the world. It is also sourced ethically. For example, Bentley’s Liquid Amber veneer comes from the American red gum tree, which grows in the Mississippi wetlands. Bentley will only use a fallen tree and will always plant a new tree in its place.
• Carbon fiber: Sometimes, it is combined with other metals, like titanium. In some models, wood and metal are combined for unique cabin designs. In the XP 100 GT, Bentley used reclaimed fossilized oak from peat bogs in their veneers. The wood was full of holes, knots, and other imperfections; copper was used to smoothen it out.
• Upholstery: For many years, the car manufacturer only used leather but turned to cloth upholstery in the XP 100 GT. In this car, they use cotton dyes to create an ombre look throughout the vehicle’s cabin.
  • Leather: It comes from cattle grazing in Northern Europe at high altitudes. These cows are far less likely to be bitten by insects, making their hides less likely to have blemishes. The hides undergo a special tanning process to retain the leather aroma.
• Attention to detail: Every stitch is meticulously placed with the aim of an ergonometric design. Carpets and seats are shaped to offer optimal comfort, while the dashboard layout and controls are designed for easy access and use. In addition, Bentleys are also equipped with a range of technology features that allow you to stay connected on the go.
• Technology: All cars are fitted with superior sound systems and entertainment systems. The latest models feature Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation systems, etc.

3. Hand-Assembled Parts

Every single part that goes into a Bentley is designed and manufactured with extreme precision. The entire assembly process takes place at the company’s headquarters in Crewe, England, where teams of skilled artisans meticulously assemble each vehicle by hand using traditional tools and techniques passed down through generations of craftspeople. This is reflected in the price of the car, as it takes months for each model to be completed from start to finish.

• Welding and metalwork: The panels are welded together. Then, a file and mallet are used to ensure the welding cannot be seen beneath the paint job, and the body is sanded down to remove any imperfections. This process is so precise that even the smallest details are taken into account, from ensuring each panel lines up perfectly to ensuring all bolts have been tightened evenly.
• Mirror-matching: When making the veneers in the vehicles, Bentley craftspeople use mirror-matching in which sheets of wood from the same section of a tree are placed right next to each other so the grains line up seamlessly.
• Handstitched Upholstery: A laser cuts the leather, but it is marked by hand for any imperfections; stitching is also done by hand. For example, the steering wheel is wrapped in leather and can take up to five hours for one person to produce.
• Greater Customization Options: Bentley’s hand-assembly process also allows for greater customization options. Each vehicle can be tailored to meet the customer’s preferences, right down to the smallest details like interior trim or paint color. This level of personalization makes each car unique and ensures that every customer gets exactly what they want out of their purchase.
• Hand-painted Exterior: A Bentley’s exterior is painted by experienced professionals who use a meticulous technique called “spray painting”; multiple layers of paint are applied until the desired color and finish are achieved to result in a glossy appearance that will last for years.

4. Standard Extravagant Features

Compared to other vehicle companies that add luxurious features as an add-on for that extra price, Bentley adds all these as a standard to all its models. The Bentley is truly a luxury car, even in the most basic model. The extensive collection of luxury features, both standard and optional, make Bentleys worth far more than other makes of cars.

For example, the Bentley Continental standard model (the V8) has an infotainment system with a 12-inch touchscreen, 10 speakers, and Apple CarPlay. It also has heated leather seats, keyless entry, remote start, and heated mirrors.

Although a fully loaded non-luxury brand automobile will cost less than a regular model, Bentley’s amenities are more likely to last due to the attention and quality put into them.

5. Powerful Engine

Bentley cars are powered by some of the most powerful engines in the world. Bentley engineers build cars using 3D printing, computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), and VR. Each technology improves design accuracy and reduces errors, resulting in beautiful, reliable cars.

Fundamentally, Bentley is an engineering firm that places high importance on accuracy in all facets of its vehicles. It’s not cheap to get this level of skill, though. These skilled craftsmen charge more for their years of experience and knowledge in making top-of-the-line cars.

• W12 engine: Their W12 engine is capable of producing up to 626 horsepower and 900Nm torque. Bentley holds the patent for this engine.
• V8 engine: It produces an impressive 542 horsepower and 770Nm torque, with exceptional fuel efficiency. The award-winning 4L twin-turbocharged V8 engine offers a responsive and efficient driving experience.
• W12 vs V12: The W12 is as powerful as the V12 but is more compact by being 24% smaller. This allows for more space in the engine bay, which creates more space in the cabin and allows the vehicle to be all-wheel drive.
• All-Wheel Drive: Advanced all-wheel drive systems provide for better handling and responsiveness on any surface. Regardless of the road conditions, this system’s traction control and dynamic torque vectoring combination guarantee excellent control. Aluminum alloy and other lightweight materials are used in their cars’ construction, allowing for reduced weight without sacrificing strength or longevity.

6. Customization

Mulliner – Bentley’s Personalisation Service

Coachbuilders John & James Mulliner formed Mulliner in 1820. The firm became known for constructing high-quality carriages and coaches for British aristocrats. Mulliner moved from horse-drawn carriages to motorized cars in 1923, becoming Rolls Royce’s official coachbuilder in 1959. Bentley officially acquired Mulliner in 2002.

In addition to custom designs, customers can order limited edition series models like the Bentley Bentayga Hybrid shown at the Geneva Motor Show or the Continental GT Convertible V8 First Edition, which debuted at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California.

7. Long Lifespan

Bentleys are known for their durability, as they are built to last for decades. One reason for this is the exceptional care that many of them receive. Even though they cost more than the average car, Bentleys can nevertheless be damaged in accidents or by severe weather. A Bentley requires special care, but it can last for many years with only occasional servicing if you keep it in good shape.

8. Low Availability

In situations where a product is scarce and in high demand, the manufacturers of the said commodity have the ability to impose significantly elevated costs, as the likelihood of its purchase remains high. Due to the high level of craftsmanship required to produce a Bentley, the automaker produces only a few cars each year.

As a result, Bentley prices tend to be quite expensive on both the wholesale and secondary markets since demand consistently outstrips supply. In 2021, for example, Bentley produced only 14.800 vehicles worldwide. Even though this is the highest number on record for Bentley, it is still a fraction compared to other brands like Mercedes produced nearly 2 million vehicles in 2021 alone.

9. Rich History in the World of Automobiles

A rich history in the world of automobiles makes Bentley a widely recognized and trusted company. This reputation of extensive experience adds to the price of a Bentley. But upon its inception in 1919, Bentley wasn’t the company that produced the cars that it made today.

It was founded to build performance cars to compete in the world’s biggest races where W.O. Bentley, the founder, himself raced. He won in ’24 Hours of LeMans’ races over five times in seven years. The race victories maintained the hype and gained the brand more recognition.

The Bentley Boys and Girls were groups of racers and adventurers who created publicity for the brand. They won races, broke records, and made driving Bentleys look fun. It was largely thanks to these two groups that Bentley became such a recognizable name in the automobile industry.

10. Public Perception and Brand Prestige

Synonymous with Status

Over its 100-year history, Bentley has been synonymous with elegance and status. Not surprisingly, having a Bentley is a status symbol for people who like high-quality cars. This brand’s reputation has helped raise prices over time and put it in an elite group of automakers whose goods sell for more than most cars on the market.

Social scientists have noticed that a person’s method of transportation has been a major way to show their social status for hundreds of years. This is why luxury cars have succeeded, especially in industrialized countries. Current culture recognizes Bentley’s hefty price tag as a manifestation of the luxury and prestige that the brand has come to symbolize.

Expansion into Other Markets

They started out making luxury automobiles, but now they’ve branched out into other areas, including clothing and accessories, to reach a broader customer base.

Philanthropy

They also participate in a wide range of charitable activities, such as funding organizations worldwide and providing financial assistance for events like golf tournaments and art shows. This demonstrates their dedication to helping those in need even more without sacrificing their high-class reputation.

Conclusion

After considering how much hard work goes into the production of even a single Bentley, it is easy to see how valid their high prices are. If you value luxury and a high-quality driving experience, Bentley is your go-to car!