Grand tourers evoke journeys that span nations and even continents, and while any car can take you from A to B, few can match the elegance of a sleek touring coupe that catches the eyes of all as it flies by.
A true grand tourer needs to be fast, of course, but it also needs to be comfortable; you want to arrive at your destination relaxed and refreshed, not worn out from a stiff suspension and race-ready seats. A proper GT also needs to know how to navigate twisty pavement, since the best drives involve the occasional road less traveled; if you just wanted to go straight to your destination, you’d take a plane.
Four doors are two too many; a true GT may have a back seat, but one meant more for occasional use or luggage than regular occupation. And while many grand tourers have convertible variants, those cars worthy of the name must wear hardtops for the right style.
The ranks of these vehicles are not as rich as they once were — storied brands like Porsche, Lamborghini, and Mercedes-Benz have long since abandoned the GT-car market — but those that remain are among some of the best such vehicles to ever roam the roads.
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Bentley Continental GT
Image Credit: Bentley When the Bentley Continental GT debuted in 2002, it relaunched an entire marque with it. Before it, Bentley was mostly known for rebadged Rolls-Royces powered by an engine with roots in the 1950s. The Continental GT’s arrival marked the start of a new era under the Volkswagen Group’s ownership, one in which Bentley would rise to its full potential for the first time in decades.
With a design that borders on timeless — it hasn’t changed much in 21 years, nor has it needed to — remarkable performance, and one of the most elegant and comfortable interiors found in a car, the Continental GT stands as a true 21st-century icon of the automotive realm. It offers a choice of twin-turbocharged engines: a robust, thunderous V8 and a more subdued yet even more powerful W12. Of course, choosing an engine is just the start; after that comes diving into the nigh-infinite list of colors, trims and materials that Bentley offers in order to let buyers make their dream car one of a kind.
Bentley’s journey with the Continental GT is still ongoing: It is in the process of swapping out both its existing power plants for a new plug-in hybrid V8 setup. At 771 horsepower, the new system will be more powerful than either predecessor. In fact, we fully expect the new powertrain to elevate this modern embodiment of the GT ideal to even greater heights.
In production since: 2003
Top powertrain option: 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W12 (Continental GT Speed)
Power: 650 horsepower and 668 lb-ft of torque
Zero to 60 mph: 3.5 seconds
Top speed: 208 mph
Price: $245,425+ -
BMW 8 Series/M8 Competition
Image Credit: AGNIESZKA-DOROSZEWICZ The BMW 8 Series, in 840i form, starts at below six-figures yet comes with a sumptuous cabin with exquisite front thrones, a comfortable ride, and a body that looks fast standing still — features that define a proper grand tourer. It may only pack six cylinders, but what a six they are; not only can the turbo inline-six send it from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, but it also enables the 840i to squeeze 29 miles out of every gallon on the highway.
Even the top-shelf M8 Competition is a good value for what it offers. The M8 offers near-supercar performance on the straights and in the curves, complete with a specially-tuned AWD system that lets you push most or all of the power to the rear wheels for tail-happy antics. That’s on top of the same blend of delightful qualities as its less-powerful siblings, and still can be had well-equipped for under $150,000.
In production since: 2018
Top powertrain option: 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 (M8 Competition)
Power: 617 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque
Zero to 60 mph: 3.2 seconds
Top speed: 190 mph
Price: $90,800+ -
Ferrari Roma
Image Credit: Ferrari Ferrari has a long history of gran turismos, as they’re called in Italy, stretching back to the 166 Inter of 1948. These days, the honor of being Maranello’s GT is performed by the Roma — and while it may technically also be Ferrari’s entry-level model, there’s nothing here that would leave you thinking that, because Maranello doesn’t really do entry-level.
The Roma is a sultry machine, with more than a hint of eager mako to its sleek design — unmistakably exotic, unmistakably Ferrari. Inside, there’s a surprisingly tech-forward cockpit that packs a full array of touchscreens and touch-sensitive haptic controls, but homages to the past remain: The gearbox controls resemble the gated stick shifts of prior F-cars, and the digital tachometer looks like an analog gauge.
Leave the Roma in its gentlest settings and it’s happy to play road-trip hero, peacefully cruising at speeds than in lesser cars might feel too fast. But like all modern Ferraris, it’s also happy to hang with the best sports cars in the world once the road turns wind-y. Take the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission’s shifts into your own hands with the paddles behind the wheel to keep the howling V8 near the redline, click the manettino drive mode switch into Race, and this GT transforms into a vicious back-road-devouring beast.
In production since: 2019
Top powertrain option: 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8
Power: 612 horsepower and 561 lb-ft of torque
Zero to 60 mph: 3.4 seconds (0-62 mph time, as per Ferrari)
Top speed: Over 199 mph (as per Ferrari)
Price: $243,358+ -
Lexus LC
Image Credit: Lexus Most of the time, automotive designs wind up watered down on the path from concept car to production ride. Not so with the Lexus LC. When it landed on the streets, it did so as a carbon copy of the LF-LC concept of 2012 … a seriously good thing, as the LF-LC was one of the best-looking concepts of the decade. The production LC’s runway-worthy looks — fashion or aviation, either seems applicable here — suck in the level of attention usually reserved for Ferraris, McLarens, and Lamborghinis.
This is a car to look your best in, and a car well-suited for long journeys, too. The seats are all-day comfortable, and the dashboard’s asymmetrical design is designed to focus everything towards the driver for ease of use on the go. (A mild 2024 refresh fixed the interior’s Achilles’ heel, replacing the annoying trackpad infotainment system with a touchscreen setup.) And while the rarity of smooth, naturally aspirated V8 engines like the LC 500’s makes it the enthusiast’s choice, serious road trippers might consider the hybrid V6-powered LC 500h; with a 22.2-gallon fuel capacity and an EPA rating of 33 mpg highway, it can go more than 700 miles on a tank.
In production since: 2017
Top powertrain option: 5.0-liter V8 (LC 500)
Power: 471 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque
Zero to 60 mph: 4.4 seconds
Top speed: 168 mph
Price: $99,800+ -
Aston Martin DB12
Image Credit: Aston Martin Much like the movie character who helped elevate the brand to the prominence it enjoys today, Aston Martin’s models are defined by their numbers. Normally, the automaker’s grand tourers’ alphanumeric names jump by twos between generations; the DB7 begat the DB9, which begat the DB11. But in this case, the 12 in DB12 — the first time in 54 years Aston has followed brand pioneer David Brown’s initials with an even number — subtly indicates that the model is a facelifted version of the DB11 that entered service eight years back.
That said, the upgrades are more than enough to warrant a new moniker. Outside, it’s more aggressive, while the interior benefits from a substantial revamp that brings higher-quality materials and modern electronics, including (at last) a new touchscreen infotainment system. The sole engine available is an Mercedes-AMG-sourced V8, but since it puts out more power than the DB11’s V12, few will complain about the performance — or, in all likelihood, anything at all once they hit the open road.
In production since: 2023 (DB12) / 2016 (DB11)
Top powertrain option: 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 671 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque
Zero to 60 mph: 3.6 seconds
Top speed: 202 mph
Price: $248,086+ -
Maserati GranTurismo
Image Credit: Maserati These days, the first question many of us have to ask when considering a new car is: gas or electric? After all, while there’s impressive innovation happening on both sides of the powertrain divide, many a car company forces you to decide which source of energy you prefer. If you like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, you have to take it with battery power; if you dig the Aston Martin Vantage, you’re stuck burning fuel.
Not so in Maserati’s latest gran turismo. On the internal combustion side, the GranTurismo’s Modena and Trofeo trim levels offer the brand’s twin-turbo V6 that rolled out in the MC20 supercar, connected to an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel-drive. Should you prefer electric, there’s the GranTurismo Folgore — Italian for lightning — which delivers shocking acceleration and handling thanks to a trio of electric motors that spit out more power than a McLaren 750S. Either way, however, you score the same stellar design sure to earn admiring stares from every gearhead and a modern and luxurious cabin with room for four adults, almost comfortably, even.
In production since: 2007
Top powertrain option: 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 (Trofeo) / Front- and dual rear-mounted electric motors (Folgore)
Power: 542 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque (Trofeo) / 751 horsepower and 996 lb-ft of torque (Folgore)
Zero to 60 mph: 3.5 seconds (Trofeo) / 2.7 seconds (Folgore)
Top speed: 200 mph (Trofeo) / 202 mph (Folgore)
EV Range: 280 miles
Price: $158,000+ -
Rolls-Royce Spectre
Image Credit: Rolls-Royce Few brands are better-suited to going electric than Rolls-Royce. For more than a century, the Spirit of Ecstasy has built cars that prioritize smoothness, comfort, and quiet above all else — qualities that EVs lend themselves to naturally. The brand’s first electric car, the Spectre, doesn’t aim to make waves amongst the Rolls faithful; rather, it simply continues to excel at the mission the brand always has, just free of tailpipe emissions.
The exterior is unmistakably Rolls-Royce, but a fresher, more modern take on the classic look; the grille is slightly raked back, the headlights slimmed down, and the roofline faster and more flowing than its gas-powered Wraith predecessor. Inside, there’s the brand’s typical old-fashioned, ultra-luxury interior, with lesser emphasis on screens and greater emphasis on beautiful craftsmanship — the kind of interior that leaves you feeling better after a long journey than you did when you started.
Granted, it won’t set any range records, thanks in no small part to its 6,559-lb curb weight. Then again, should you decide to take the Spectre on a long journey, it can fast-charge at up to 195 kW, adding more than 180 miles of range in 34 minutes — less time than it takes to order and eat a Nicoise salad. And you won’t have to worry about fue getting on your hands at the pump.
In production since: 2023
Top powertrain option: Front- and rear-mounted electric motors
Power: 576 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque
Zero to 60 mph: 4.4 seconds
Top speed: 155 mph
EV Range: 264 miles
Price: $422,750+
