2023 Bentley Flying Spur Review: Old-World Charmer

The new Bentley Flying Spur sedan is now in its third generation, and in its current form, this full-sized luxury car has been around since 2019. But that doesn't matter much as this powerful beauty refuses to age, and with a few tweaks from the manufacturer, still manages to be relevant and desirable. Put simply, it doesn't get much more luxurious than this. In a world dominated by luxury SUVs, the Flying Spur stands strong as a bastion of British luxury, and in terms of driving comfort and pure opulence, it is still one of the best out there. Not only is this large land yacht a five-star hotel on wheels, but it's also rather brisk: under the hood sleeps a range of snarling performance motors, topped by a W12 motor with 626 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. Competitors to the Bentley Flying Spur include the Mercedes-Maybach S, which offers similar levels of luxury and superior tech but cannot match the Bentley for its old-world charm and charisma. In this Bentley Flying Spur review, we look at what it takes to be the creme de la creme of sedan motoring.

What's the Price of the 2023 Bentley Flying Spur?

There are many menus and submenus on Bentley's website, but the one thing you won't find on there is the price. The configurator won't even give you a price at the end of a build but rather the option to enquire about your purchase. It's not a secret, but just a bit rude to ask. Also, there's very little chance of a customer buying a "standard" model, but, in case you were wondering, the V8 has an MSRP of around $208,600. The base hybrid model starts at $214,800 while the S models start at around $240k. For Azure specification models, you'll need to lay out at least $250k. Mulliner models cost in the region of $300k, with the Mulliner W12 topping the range at $315,200. These prices exclude taxes, licensing, registration, and a destination fee of $2,725.

This is roughly $100,000 less than the Mulsanne retailed for and in excess of 100,000 less than the Rolls Royce Ghost. The Mercedes-Maybach S is cheaper, but its badge simply doesn't have the same allure as the Flying B.

2023 Bentley Flying Spur Handling and Driving Impressions

The 2023 Bentley Flying Spur was built with one goal in mind: passenger comfort. In terms of handling and driving dynamics, this means striking a balance between dynamic handling and cloud-like damping, which isn't an easy task. Based on the Porsche Panamera platform, this Bentley has a good base to work from but takes a different route than the more driver-focused Porsche. With its standard air suspension with continuous damping control, the 2023 Flying Spur wafts over road imperfections like it's not even there, and at highway cruising speeds, you'd swear you were flying in a private jet: it's that smooth. When you eventually end up being chased by an evil villain, the Flying Spur can also handle the corners decently.

Its AWD system sends power to the front wheels when it detects slippage, and the air suspension keeps lean to a minimum. Steering is light but surprisingly direct, and with tons of torque on offer from that W12 engine, corner exit speeds are impressive. The braking system is also up to the task and scrubs off speed at an impressive rate, despite the 5,000-pound plus curb weight.

Verdict: Is The 2023 Bentley Flying Spur A Good car?

The USA might be addicted to luxury SUVS, but the 2023 Bentley Flying Spur makes an excellent case for the old-school luxury sedan. It takes from the old world and combines it with some modern fixings and active driver assistance tech to deliver a product that is both charming and in-touch. Due to its German connections, the interior and overall build quality have never been better, and the tech is on point, but it's the sheer grandness of this car, combined with a combination of charming engines, that makes the Flying Spur such a special thing to drive. We acknowledge its shared parts and modern features - and its astronomical price - but this Bentley remains true to its brand heritage: it is classic British luxury and charm, powerful engines, all wrapped up in a seemingly timeless package.

What 2023 Bentley Flying Spur Model Should I Buy?

The V8 is nearly as fast as the W12, and it has more character. Thanks to the subtle changes Bentley made to make it a more engaging experience, it's also better suited to enthusiasts. The V8 also sounds a lot better, and it retails for less, which you can then spend on specifications. There will likely be as many combinations as there will be owners, but we like the one-hide interior option on the V8. In addition to that, we'd add the Touring Specification to make it even better on longer trips, the rotating display, and the Naim for Bentley sound system when we're not in the mood for the V8 soundtrack. If you're after the most in comfort, opt for Azure models - you can't beat that level of luxury and serenity.