2020 Lincoln Continental

Pros: Luxurious interior; wide selection of technology and convenience options

Cons: Mainstream midsize front-wheel-drive sedan origins; many desirable features such as leather upholstery, turbocharged engines are not standard

CG Says: The 2020 Lincoln Continental drops its Select trim, but has few changes otherwise. The 2019 Lincoln Continental gains standard Lincoln Co-Pilot360 (autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot alert, cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, and automatic high beams) for all models. Lincoln revived its iconic Continental name for a new flagship sedan in 2017. The Continental rides a stretched version of the front-wheel-drive Ford Fusion platform. Three V6 engines are offered: a 3.7 liter with 305 horsepower, a 335-horsepower turbocharged 2.7-liter, and a Lincoln-exclusive turbocharged 3.0-liter with 400 horsepower. All are mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The available all-wheel-drive system can be teamed with a Dynamic Torque Vectoring system that transfers torque to the appropriate rear wheel when cornering. Standard safety features include autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot alert, cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, and automatic high beams. Available features include Lincoln Drive Control, which alters suspension calibrations according to comfort, normal, and sport settings; adaptive steering; Revel-brand premium audio system; and reclining heated and cooled rear seats. The “Perfect Position” front seats are adjustable up to 30 ways, and offer independently adjustable left- and right-thigh extensions in addition to heating and cooling. Also available are a panoramic sunroof and 360-degree surround-view camera system. The Continental’s unique, beltline-mounted “E-latch” handles pop the doors open at the touch of a button; the doors also offer an available power-cinching feature. Lincoln’s flagship offers a tantalizing 400-hp turbo V6 and an impressive array of the latest technology and convenience features. Its conservative styling and mainstream midsize-sedan origins might leave some big luxury car shoppers cold, but the Continental carved out a niche for itself as an understated alternative to its Asian- and European-brand rivals, and the flashier Cadillac CT6.