The Bentley Mulsanne is a midsize car built from 1984 to 2020 over 2 generations. Between 2011 and 2021 it grew 13 cm longer and gained 136 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 Mulsanne is
The Bentley Mulsanne is a midsize car that Bentley built from 1984 to 2020 — 37 model years. Our measurements put it at 2 generations, the current one starting in 2018. It has been offered with V8 power. Its closest siblings in the Bentley range: Flying Spur, Arnage, Turbo.
Mulsanne generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the Mulsanne'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 Mulsanne that gives 2 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-2017 | 558 cm | 327 cm | 2585 kg | - | - |
| 2018-2021 | 571 cm | 340 cm | 2721 kg | +13 cm | +136 kg |
Between 2011 and 2021 the Mulsanne gained 13 cm in length (+2.3%) and 136 kg in weight (+5.3%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the Mulsanne that is 136 kg against 13 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Bentley Mulsanne tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment Mulsanne 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 Mulsanne have? Power & range
The Bentley Mulsanne is offered with 1 powertrain — 6.8L 8-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 1 for the Bentley Mulsanne, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V8 | 6.8L · 8-cyl | Automatic (S8) | 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 Mulsanne by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Bentley Mulsanne. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | Mulsanne | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 12 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Reliability | 4.5 / 5 | Best and worst years |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Bentley Mulsanne?
The Mulsanne is a midsize car, built from 1984 to 2020 across 2 generations. Engines offered: V8.
How many generations does the Mulsanne have?
2 by our measurements, the latest starting in 2018. 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 Mulsanne grew 13 cm longer and gained 136 kg.
What is the Bentley Mulsanne 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 Mulsanne 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 Mulsanne?
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 | 11 | 19 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Bentley Arnage | 1999–2009 | 18 | 13 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Bentley Azure | 1996–2010 | 15 | 12 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Bentley Turbo | 1989–1998 | — | 12 mpg | 4.5/5 |