Used 2019 Lincoln Continental

The 2019 Lincoln Continental comes with plenty of features even in entry-level form. Things like an adaptive suspension and advanced driver aids are all included in this full-size luxury car, flagship sedan of the revitalized Lincoln marque. For $50,000 or so, the Continental comes into sharp focus as a larger, better-equipped alternative to premium-midsize sedans from Germany and Britain (the Jaguar XF), yet still with a classy design and an emphasis on comfort. Easy-opening motorized doors and 30-way-adjustable front seats are available higher up the trim levels. Now in the third model year of this current generation, the 2019 Continental remains fresh and competitive. This year sees an extremely limited run (only 80 examples being made, due in the summer) of the Lincoln Continental 80th Anniversary Coach Door Edition. Its rear-passenger doors are hinged at the back, for more theatrical and elegant exits. But we’ll concentrate on the regular car for this review.

The Lincoln Continental is not a sporty sedan, but it can be quick. Unflustered yet rapid freeway progress is the Continental’s strength, and that’s with any one of the three engines available. Naturally, there are selectable driving modes, one of which is Sport (perking up throttle response, transmission shift points and suspension damping), but it can’t raise the Continental to the same engagement level as, say, the BMW 7 Series. As long as a driver gets into this car knowing there won’t be much driving feel or information coming up to the hands or seat of the pants — but it will be insulating and isolating, pampering and protective — then the Continental’s talents and the user’s expectations will be more in harmony. The experience is enhanced by the finely adjustable front seats and their massage functions.

This is one area where modern features meet traditional luxury. Amid the push-button gear selector, Wi-Fi, 8-inch infotainment touch screen and digital driver information display are high-quality materials assembled with precision. There’s also plenty of space for five adults in the 2019 Continental, and the front seats are comfortable whether they have 10-way, 24-way or 30-way adjustment.

A luxury car has to look the part and the new Lincoln Continental certainly accomplishes that. From its chromed mesh grille, bulging hood, down its clean flanks and to its tapered tail, this sedan stretches an expansive 16.75 feet. The chrome beltline along the sides is where the E-latch electronic door handles are located; instead of pulling, simply reach and press a button to open. On the options list are motorized doors with a gentle open/close action, the kind of thing found on Rolls-Royce cars.

LINCOLN PICKUP AND DELIVERY
If time is the ultimate luxury, then a Lincoln dealership is an asset. Every 2019 Continental includes free vehicle collection and return for all service and maintenance. A loaner car covers the absence.

MASSAGING FRONT SEATS
Other car companies offer heated/ventilated/massaging front seats, but no one else matches Lincoln’s 30-way-power adjustment. Virtually every body type should be able to find an ideal position. And after a tough day at work or to remain alert during a long-distance drive, the massage function’s intensity can be dialed up.

The 2019 Lincoln Continental comes in base, Select, Reserve and Black Label trim levels. The entry-level model has 18-inch alloy wheels, adaptive suspension, dual-zone automatic climate control, 10-way power-adjustable/heated front seats, power-adjustable steering column, adaptive cruise control, CoPilot360 features, 8-inch touch screen, Wi-Fi, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, and rear parking sensors. Spend around $4,000 more for the Select trim and that will bring leather upholstery, self-open/close doors, hands-free trunk lid operation, and eligibility for a greater number of options.

Going higher up the 2019 Continental’s trim levels to the Reserve model means a bigger engine (but not the biggest), 19-inch wheels, tri-zone climate control, twin-panel moonroof, 360-degree camera system, head-up display, audio system upgrade, and navigation. The top Black Label version goes beyond mere features to include dining opportunities, free car washes, travel perks and a concierge service, but also brings higher-grade leather, 20-inch wheels, and those 30-way front seats. The top two trims can be ordered with a 400-horsepower 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6, making the Continental one of the most powerful sedans in its class. All-wheel drive is available in all versions.

The Lincoln Continental offers a choice of three V6 engines. The base unit is naturally aspirated (not turbocharged or supercharged), making 305 horsepower from 3.7 liters of displacement. The middle-spec engine is a turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 developing 355 horsepower. Or 400 horsepower is available in a turbocharged 3.0-liter motor. The sole transmission is a perfectly suitable 6-speed automatic, with front-wheel drive (FWD) as the default setup or all-wheel drive (AWD) available as an option. The exception being that the most powerful engine only comes with all-wheel drive. From a fuel-economy perspective, all three engines achieve a rough average of 20 mpg and the turbo engines require 93-octane gasoline.

3.7-liter V6
305 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
280 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/26 mpg (FWD), 16/24 mpg (AWD)

2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V6
335 horsepower @ 5,700 rpm
380 lb-ft of torque @ 3,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/27 mpg (FWD), 17/25 mpg (AWD)

3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6
400 horsepower @ 5,750 rpm
400 lb-ft of torque @ 2,750 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/24 mpg