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2012
Bentley Mulsanne

Starts at:
$290,000
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New 2012 Bentley Mulsanne
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2012 Bentley Mulsanne 2012 Bentley Mulsanne 2012 Bentley Mulsanne 2012 Bentley Mulsanne 2012 Bentley Mulsanne 2012 Bentley Mulsanne 2012 Bentley Mulsanne 2012 Bentley Mulsanne

Notable features

Bentley's flagship sedan
6.8-liter V-8
Eight-speed automatic
Handcrafted interior

The good & the bad

The good

Near-infinite customization
Cabin materials
Roomy seats
Performance potential

The bad

Imposing size could make closer quarters difficult
High price

Expert 2012 Bentley Mulsanne review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By Cars.com editors
Full article
our expert's take

Vehicle Overview

Bentley’s flagship sedan, the Mulsanne, was introduced for 2011. It takes its name from a section of the track used for the annual 24 Hours of Le Mans. It replaced the Arnage, a sedan sold stateside from 1998-2009. Originally an independent company, Bentley was purchased by Rolls-Royce in 1931, but since 1998 it has been owned by Volkswagen. In the Mulsanne’s price realm, the main competitor would be the Rolls-Royce Ghost.

New for 2012
There are no significant changes to the Mulsanne for its second year.

Exterior
At 219.5 inches bumper to bumper, the Mulsanne stretches well over a foot longer than most minivans. Its imposing face is at once squared-off and curvy, with huge headlights flanking an enormous upper grille. Anything on or in the Mulsanne that looks like metal is real metal, according to Bentley. A lower grille runs the width of the front end, separated from the upper grate by a bumper that protrudes in the middle. Exterior features include:

  • Upright chrome grille
  • Optional retractable Flying-B hood ornament
  • Standard 20-inch wheels
  • Optional 21-inch wheels
  • More than 100 factory colors available

Interior
The Mulsanne’s handcrafted interior features the usual Bentley fare — plenty of wood and stainless steel, with pull-stoppers for the air-conditioning vents and gauge needles starting in the 1 o’clock position. Bentley has adopted a traditional tanning process for the Mulsanne’s leather to evoke the smell of vintage cowhides. Running across the dashboard and doors is a continuous band of wood trim, which the automaker says takes two weeks to refine from raw material to polished veneers.

Should buyers wish, Bentley’s in-house Mulliner division can personalize the Mulsanne with any manner of hand-tailored fittings. Interior features include:

  • 24 colors available for leather upholstery
  • Standard power-adjustable, ventilated front and rear seats, with massage feature
  • Standard 60-gigabyte hard drive multimedia system
  • Available Naim Audio 2,200-watt, 20-speaker premium stereo
  • Standard iPod, MP3 and USB interface

Under the Hood
Enhanced for 2011 with variable valve timing and cylinder deactivation, the Mulsanne’s pushrod 6.8-liter V-8 makes 505 horsepower; its 752 pounds-feet of torque is available at just 1,750 rpm. Combined with the eight-speed automatic transmission, the drivetrain reduces fuel consumption 15 percent versus the previous V-8, according to Bentley, though that equates to only 11 mpg city and 18 mpg highway.

Settings for the steering and adaptive air suspension can be tailored to three modes — Sport, Comfort and an in-between “Bentley” setting — as well as a Custom mode that lets drivers fine-tune each system’s specific settings. Mechanical features include:

  • 505-hp, 6.8-liter V-8
  • Eight-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel paddle shifters
  • Adjustable steering and air suspension settings

Safety
Standard safety features include:

  • Electronic stability system
  • Antilock brakes
  • Front and rear side-impact airbags

2012 Bentley Mulsanne review: Our expert's take

Vehicle Overview

Bentley’s flagship sedan, the Mulsanne, was introduced for 2011. It takes its name from a section of the track used for the annual 24 Hours of Le Mans. It replaced the Arnage, a sedan sold stateside from 1998-2009. Originally an independent company, Bentley was purchased by Rolls-Royce in 1931, but since 1998 it has been owned by Volkswagen. In the Mulsanne’s price realm, the main competitor would be the Rolls-Royce Ghost.

New for 2012
There are no significant changes to the Mulsanne for its second year.

Exterior
At 219.5 inches bumper to bumper, the Mulsanne stretches well over a foot longer than most minivans. Its imposing face is at once squared-off and curvy, with huge headlights flanking an enormous upper grille. Anything on or in the Mulsanne that looks like metal is real metal, according to Bentley. A lower grille runs the width of the front end, separated from the upper grate by a bumper that protrudes in the middle. Exterior features include:

  • Upright chrome grille
  • Optional retractable Flying-B hood ornament
  • Standard 20-inch wheels
  • Optional 21-inch wheels
  • More than 100 factory colors available

Interior
The Mulsanne’s handcrafted interior features the usual Bentley fare — plenty of wood and stainless steel, with pull-stoppers for the air-conditioning vents and gauge needles starting in the 1 o’clock position. Bentley has adopted a traditional tanning process for the Mulsanne’s leather to evoke the smell of vintage cowhides. Running across the dashboard and doors is a continuous band of wood trim, which the automaker says takes two weeks to refine from raw material to polished veneers.

Should buyers wish, Bentley’s in-house Mulliner division can personalize the Mulsanne with any manner of hand-tailored fittings. Interior features include:

  • 24 colors available for leather upholstery
  • Standard power-adjustable, ventilated front and rear seats, with massage feature
  • Standard 60-gigabyte hard drive multimedia system
  • Available Naim Audio 2,200-watt, 20-speaker premium stereo
  • Standard iPod, MP3 and USB interface

Under the Hood
Enhanced for 2011 with variable valve timing and cylinder deactivation, the Mulsanne’s pushrod 6.8-liter V-8 makes 505 horsepower; its 752 pounds-feet of torque is available at just 1,750 rpm. Combined with the eight-speed automatic transmission, the drivetrain reduces fuel consumption 15 percent versus the previous V-8, according to Bentley, though that equates to only 11 mpg city and 18 mpg highway.

Settings for the steering and adaptive air suspension can be tailored to three modes — Sport, Comfort and an in-between “Bentley” setting — as well as a Custom mode that lets drivers fine-tune each system’s specific settings. Mechanical features include:

  • 505-hp, 6.8-liter V-8
  • Eight-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel paddle shifters
  • Adjustable steering and air suspension settings

Safety
Standard safety features include:

  • Electronic stability system
  • Antilock brakes
  • Front and rear side-impact airbags

Available cars near you

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
3 years
Corrosion
3 years
Powertrain
3 years
Maintenance
3 years / 30,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
3 years

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
10 years old or less / unlimited mileage
Basic
1 year / unlimited miles
Dealer certification
Yes

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Consumer reviews

5.0 / 5
Based on 1 review
Write a review
Comfort 5.0
Interior 5.0
Performance 4.0
Value 3.0
Exterior 5.0
Reliability 5.0
  • Too Much Woah!

    This car is awesome. I still don't know why Bentley has such expensive cars but hey, it beats others!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    7 people out of 8 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No

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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2012 Bentley Mulsanne?

The 2012 Bentley Mulsanne is available in 1 trim level:

  • (1 style)

What is the MPG of the 2012 Bentley Mulsanne?

The 2012 Bentley Mulsanne offers up to 11 MPG in city driving and 18 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 2012 Bentley Mulsanne?

The 2012 Bentley Mulsanne compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 2012 Bentley Mulsanne reliable?

The 2012 Bentley Mulsanne has an average reliability rating of 5.0 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2012 Bentley Mulsanne owners.

Is the 2012 Bentley Mulsanne a good Sedan?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2012 Bentley Mulsanne. 100.0% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

5.0 / 5
Based on 1 reviews
  • Comfort: 5.0
  • Interior: 5.0
  • Performance: 4.0
  • Value: 3.0
  • Exterior: 5.0
  • Reliability: 5.0

Bentley Mulsanne history

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