Yahoo Autos 2019 Lincoln Continental
Overview
If the name Continental conjures up memories of the soft-riding luxobarge that was phased out in the early 2000s, then your expectations of this modern-day revival are already set. The Continental's relaxed driving demeanor, restrained styling, and luxuriously appointed cabin make it a pleasant car, one that evokes the traditional American luxury sedans of the past. Unfortunately, it has several rough edges: Many of its interior switches are shared with less pricey Ford products, its on-road dynamics range from unrefined to uninspired, and none of its available V-6 engines are particularly fuel efficient. If you're not looking closely, the Continental appears to be an impressive sedan, but upon further inspection its plebeian roots show through.
What's New for 2019?
The big news for 2019 is the introduction of the Continental Coach Door Edition. This very exclusive Continental is stretched six inches and comes with rear "suicide" doors that hark back to the iconic Continental of the 1960s. Only 80 will be produced for 2019 (more are coming for 2020, but likely in a similarly small amount), so act quickly if you want one. Elsewhere in the lineup, a suite of driver-assistance technologies joins the standard features list for 2019 and includes automatic high-beam headlamps, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. The almost-top-spec Reserve model can now be ordered with a CD player (part of the Revel II Audio package) and a panoramic sunroof (part of the Technology package), and also comes standard with the Select model's optional Climate package (auto-dimming rearview mirror, rain-sensing wipers, windshield de-icer, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel).
Lincoln Continental Pricing and Which One to Buy
Premiere: $47,140
Select: $50,940
Reserve: $60,705
Black Label: $71,040
Our pick is the midrange Select model, which comes standard with niceties such as navigation, SiriusXM Travel Link, leather seats from upscale Bridge of Weir, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with genuine wood accents, a power trunklid, and soft-close doors. We'd suggest opting for the 335-hp twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V-6 engine, the 30-way adjustable Perfect Position massaging front seats, and the aforementioned Climate package.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Likes: Three different V-6 engines are available, quick acceleration from top engine, communicative steering.
Dislikes: Front-wheel-drive models can barely handle the twin-turbo engine's power, not as smooth-riding as expected, not athletic on a twisty two-lane either.
With three different V-6 engines on offer-two of them boosted by twin turbos-the Continental doesn't want for power. Harnessing all that power through only the front wheels is a struggle that will disappoint enthusiast drivers but should suit most casual drivers; all-wheel drive is optional. 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 our 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, Infotainment, and Cargo
Likes: Spacious cabin with plenty of plushness, easy-to-use infotainment system, tons of cargo space.
Dislikes: Too much parts-sharing with cheaper Ford models, optional 30-way adjustable seats don't satisfy everyone, navigation isn't standard.
The Continental's interior is an uneven mix of luxe materials-leather, knurled aluminum, genuine wood, and chrome-and downmarket 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.
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 has kindly provided 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, Apple CarPlay, and USB connectivity. Audiophiles can upgrade to a Revel 13- or 19-speaker system with HD radio.
One of the Lincoln's major advantages in this matchup is practicality. 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.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Both U.S. safety-testing agencies have awarded the Continental their top awards 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 automatic 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 maintenance is covered for up to 4 years or 50,000 miles
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