2020 Lincoln Continental

Overview

Lincoln resurrected the Continental name for just the right sedan: the modern-day interpretation of the classic American luxury land yacht. It lives up to its heritage by offering a pleasant ride, a spacious interior, and upscale-but-restrained styling. Lincoln offers it with three different V-6 engines, two of which are turbocharged and are either front- or all-wheel drive. The top-spec 3.0-liter turbo engine makes 400 horsepower and delivers faster acceleration than most drivers will expect. Unfortunately, the Continental shares too many obvious pieces with cheaper Ford and Lincoln products, which mars its high-lux image.

What's New for 2020?

The Continental lineup has been simplified for 2020 and now comes in three distinct trims: Standard, Reserve, and Black Label. Other than that, there is a mild reshuffling of the Continental's available option packages and three new colors: Pristine White Metallic Tri-Coat, Red Carpet Metallic Tinted Clearcoat, and Silver Radiance Clearcoat.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

There's a big gap in price between the base Standard model and the Continental Reserve, but that leap comes with a long list of additional equipment that we think makes the Reserve worth it. For one thing, the Reserve comes with the twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V-6 that makes 335 horsepower versus the Standard car's non-turbocharged 3.7-liter V-6, which makes 305 horsepower. Other standard equipment includes 19-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, power-operated trunklid, 13-speaker Revel audio system, heated and ventilated front seats with 24-way adjustability, in-dash navigation, and three-zone automatic climate control.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

With three different V-6 engines on offer—two of them boosted by twin turbos—the Continental doesn't lack power. Harnessing it through only the front wheels, however, is a struggle that will disappoint enthusiast drivers but should suit most casual drivers; all-wheel drive is optional and does a better job of putting power to the pavement. Unfortunately, the behavior of the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 that we tested was uneven, with overly aggressive throttle response and some transmission issues. However, it proved quite quick: At the test track, our Continental Reserve test vehicle sprinted from zero to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds flat. Lincoln isn't chasing sports-sedan glory with the Continental like Cadillac is doing with the CT6, and instead seems content to provide a well-cushioned ride. That's not saying the Continental isn't a competent-handling sedan—it's stable in corners, and its crisp, communicative steering is a strong point. Given its tranquility-oriented mission, we were expecting a bit more cushiness with the standard adaptive dampers adjusted to their Comfort setting. In Sport mode, the firmest setting, the ride is still compliant, but body motions are under tighter control, and the Continental feels more composed.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Even in its most efficient guise, the Continental has a considerable thirst for fuel, and it's trounced in fuel-economy ratings by some of its rivals such as the Volvo S90 and the Lexus LS500. In our real-world testing, however, our test vehicle outperformed its EPA highway rating by an impressive 4 mpg.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The Continental's interior is an uneven mix of luxe materials—leather, knurled aluminum, genuine wood, and chrome—and down-market plastics that can be seen in lesser Lincolns and workaday Fords. While the Continental's cabin lacks the cohesive sophistication of its rivals, it offers a high level of standard equipment. Many of our evaluators found the optional 30-way-adjustable Perfect Position seats to be worth every penny of the upcharge, while others didn't find them to be as comprehensively comfortable as the best from the luxury competition. But the seats' inflatable side bolsters, individually adjustable thigh supports, massage modes, and very warm heating elements put both front-seat occupants in the lap of luxury—literally. Its large trunk, folding rear seats, and voluminous cargo bins give it an edge compared with the established players in this category, many of which don't offer a folding rear seat. We fit six carry-on suitcases in the trunk, three more than the BMW 740i could manage and one more than the Mercedes-Benz S550.

Infotainment and Connectivity

All Continental models feature an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring the latest version of parent company Ford's Sync 3 software. The system controls everything from audio and navigation (on models equipped with that feature) to climate control. It's a reasonably intuitive system that most users should learn to use quickly. Lincoln provides redundant buttons and knobs for frequently used functions. The standard audio system features 10 speakers, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth phone and streaming audio, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, and USB connectivity. Audiophiles can upgrade to a Revel 13- or 19-speaker system with HD radio.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)

View Crash Test Results

Both U.S. safety-testing agencies have awarded the Continental their top ratings based on the car's crash-test results and available safety features. Lincoln's all-encompassing driver-assistance package is standard on every Continental model. Key safety features include:

• Standard automated emergency braking
• Standard blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
• Standard lane-keeping assist and automatic high-beam headlamps

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Lincoln offers a longer powertrain warranty than most of the players in this segment except for the Genesis G90 and the Kia K900, which both offer 100,000-mile powertrain coverage. The first scheduled maintenance visit is complimentary, and roadside assistance is included for the life of the car. Stepping up to the Black Label brings additional benefits including four years or 50,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance, a complimentary annual detailing service for the first four years of ownership, and unlimited free car washes at the local Lincoln dealer.

• Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 6 years or 70,000 miles
• Complimentary scheduled maintenance is covered for up to 4 years or 50,000 miles