The Bentley Azure is a compact car built from 1996 to 2010 over 2 generations. Between 1999 and 2011 it grew 7 cm longer and gained -160 kg. Engines offered: V8. Worth buying? It scores near the top of what we track at 4.5/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the Azure is
The Bentley Azure is a compact car that Bentley built from 1996 to 2010 — 15 model years. Our measurements put it at 2 generations, the current one starting in 2006. It has been offered with V8 power. Its closest sibling in the Bentley range: Continental.
Azure generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the Azure's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the Azure that gives 2 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999-2003 | 534 cm | 306 cm | 2610 kg | - | - |
| 2006-2011 | 541 cm | 312 cm | 2450 kg | +7 cm | -160 kg |
Between 1999 and 2011 the Azure gained 7 cm in length (+1.3%) and -160 kg in weight (-6.1%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the Azure that is -160 kg against 7 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Bentley Azure tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment Azure owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Bentley Azure have? Power & range
The Bentley Azure is offered with 1 powertrain — 6.8L 8-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 1 for the Bentley Azure, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V8 | 6.8L · 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | RWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
The Azure by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Bentley Azure. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | Azure | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 14 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Owner complaints | 1 filed | What breaks and when |
| Reliability | 4.5 / 5 | Best and worst years |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Bentley Azure?
The Azure is a compact car, built from 1996 to 2010 across 2 generations. Engines offered: V8.
How many generations does the Azure have?
2 by our measurements, the latest starting in 2006. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car. Over its life the Azure grew 7 cm longer and gained -160 kg.
What is the Bentley Azure warranty?
New models carry 3 years / 36,000 miles basic cover and 5 years / 60,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the Azure reliable?
It scores 4.5/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific Azure?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
More in Bentley
| Model | Years | Recalls | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bentley Continental | 1984–2026 | 47 | 19 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Bentley Bentayga | 2017–2026 | 30 | 21 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Bentley Flying Spur | 2014–2026 | 7 | 19 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Bentley Mulsanne | 1984–2020 | 12 | 14 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Bentley Arnage | 1999–2009 | 11 | 13 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Bentley Turbo | 1989–1998 | — | 12 mpg | 4.5/5 |