2017 Lincoln Continental

2017 Lincoln Continental Review

The Lincoln Continental returns for 2017 with a luxurious, roomy cabin and an attractive price tag.
author
by Cameron Rogers
Edmunds Editor

The last time a new Lincoln Continental graced dealership lots, the large sedan was equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission and a CD player was an optional upgrade over a cassette deck. To misquote Dylan, the times, they have a-changed. The 2017 Lincoln Continental is a completely different beast, with no fewer than three engines available (each matched to a six-speed automatic) and the latest smartphone tech such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

But the new Continental isn't just about showing up its 15-year-old predecessor; it's about bringing something unique to the luxury full-size sedan segment: value. Rivals including the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series have long ruled this class, although they cost more than double the Continental's starting price. Even budget-conscious newcomers such as the Kia K900 and Genesis G90 are more expensive than the Lincoln. So this new Lincoln provides a tremendous value, even if you get a fully loaded version with all the bells and whistles. If you're in the market for a roomy sedan with a handsome interior that looks like $100,000 (and doesn't cost it), the 2017 Lincoln Continental is certainly worth a look.

See what consumers say

what's new

The 2017 Lincoln Continental is an all-new large luxury sedan.
Go to other years

we recommend

The trim we recommend depends on which engine you want. We think the Select is appropriate for Lincoln buyers who don't prioritize performance. It doesn't cost much more than the Premier and includes real leather seating, a hands-free trunk opener (handy if you're carrying groceries) and extra USB ports for passengers in the back. If you like your big luxury sedan with some pep in its step, the Reserve is a worthy upgrade. The Climate package adds little to the bottom line, and rear occupants will appreciate the toasty seats.
See pricing
For sale near you
Incentives & deals

trim levels & features

The 2017 Lincoln Continental is a large sedan that offers a lot of the same technology and luxury features you'd get from a high-end car such as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class or BMW 7 Series, but at a much lower price. It all starts with the well-equipped Premier model, followed closely by the Select, which adds a ton of features for a modest price bump. It also opens the gates to several feature packages not available on the Premier. The Reserve includes more goodies, followed by the exclusive Black Label, which costs considerably more but grants access to Lincoln's Black Label concierge program.

The base Premier trim is powered by a 3.7-liter V6 (305 horsepower, 280 pound-feet) matched to a six-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Its standard features include 18-inch alloy wheels, adaptive xenon headlights, LED running lights and taillights, remote engine start, power-folding and heated mirrors with integrated blind-spot sections and puddle lamps, adjustable dampers, a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry and ignition, an auto-dimming driver mirror, chrome exterior trim, active grille shutters, interior ambient lighting, dual-zone automatic climate control, 10-way power-adjustable and heated front seats, a power-adjustable leather-wrapped steering wheel, driver-seat memory settings and rear air vents. Entertainment features include an 8-inch touchscreen with the Sync 3 infotainment system, Bluetooth, and a 10-speaker audio system with two USB ports and satellite radio.

Stepping up to the Select trim adds 19-inch wheels, soft-close doors, power-folding exterior mirrors, hands-free trunk opening, illuminated sill plates, leather upholstery, wood accents on the steering wheel, two rear charge-only USB ports and a 110-volt household-style outlet. Choosing the Select also opens the door to the optional twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 engine (335 hp, 380 lb-ft).

The 2.7-liter engine is standard on the Reserve, as are 24-way power-adjustable and ventilated front seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, navigation, a rear power sunshade, and an embedded modem that allows users to control various aspects of their Continental via the Lincoln Way smartphone app.

The range-topping Black Label takes the Continental over the top with 20-inch wheels, LED headlights, simulated-suede headliner, upgraded leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, power-adjustable rear seats, and a 19-speaker Revel Ultima sound system with a CD player and HD radio. It's available in three distinct palettes (Rhapsody, Chalet and Thoroughbred), each of which modify the Continental's exterior and interior color schemes and trim. It also allows access to Lincoln's Black Label member privileges.

For those who want as much power as the Continental has to offer, the Reserve and Black Label offer an optional twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 (400 hp, 400 lb-ft). Summer performance tires are available with this engine.

There are several options packages that add extra features to the Continental. The Climate package (Select, Reserve and Black Label) adds automatic high beams, automatic wipers, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a heated steering wheel and heated rear seats. The Technology package (Select with 2.7-liter engine, Reserve and Black Label) includes a 360-degree parking camera, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, automatic wipers, adaptive cruise control, an automated parking system, lane keeping assist with mitigation, and a pre-collision warning system with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking. The Rear Seat package (Reserve and Black Label) includes a 40/20/40-split rear seat with reclining, heated and ventilated outboard seats with four-way power lumbar adjustment, inflatable rear outboard seat belts, a panoramic sunroof and rear-side sunshades. The Reserve's Luxury package includes the LED headlights and Revel sound system.

Some features are available as individual options depending on trim, including 20-inch wheels, the sunroof, the Revel sound system and 30-way-adjustable seats with a massaging function.

See all features & specs

trim tested

Edmunds has not yet tested any version of this vehicle. The following is our first take on what's significant about it and what you can expect.

driving

Expect a ride quality that's well controlled yet supple and forgiving. Lincoln's rep for floaty land yachts is a thing of the past. Yet unlike Cadillac, Lincoln is not trying to outdo the Germans when it comes to performance, so the Continental won't have ultra-quick steering and sticky tires.

acceleration

Given its substantial size, the Continental will likely have modest acceleration with either of the standard engines. The optional 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 is rated at 400 horsepower, however, so it should be capable of delivering impressive performance off the line.

comfort

The big Continental should excel here. It has a spacious cabin, optional 30-way-adjustable front seats and plenty of room in back. Add in a suspension designed for minimal cabin intrusion and engines designed to work in the background, and you have all the ingredients for a very comfortable sedan.

interior

A clean design and top-quality materials give the Continental's cabin a refined look and feel. It's not on the same level as the interiors of some European luxury sedans, but at its price point it's well appointed and comfortable.

utility

Storage space up front is plentiful and easy to access. The trunk isn't likely to have as much room as Continentals of the past, but it should be on the large side for a sedan in its class.

technology

The Continental uses the same Sync 3 technology interface as other Ford products. It's a much-improved system that is now easy to use and compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. A high-end audio system is also available, along with adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking.

edmunds expert review process

This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.

We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.

related vehicle information

  1. Home
  2. Lincoln
  3. Lincoln Continental
  4. 2017 Lincoln Continental
  5. 2017 Lincoln Continental Review