2020 Lincoln Continental Review

Name: 2020 Lincoln Continental
Brand: Lincoln

Price Range: $27,998 - $44,590

Lincoln Continental Black Label Sedan Exterior

Average

7.2

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

The 2020 Lincoln Continental has style that lives up to its heralded past. But a lack of refinement and overall value hinder the sedan in a crowded luxury segment. The materials and build quality, even in the higher-priced trims, are no competition for other entries in this space. Two twin-turbocharged V6 engines offer some excitement, but the Continental never feels comfortable in its own skin.

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Average price: $34,168

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Pros

Exceptional rear-seat legroom
Strong optional V6 engine with capable all-wheel-drive system
Cabin stays quiet at highway speeds

Cons

Interior and build quality are a bit inferior to luxury rivals
Value factor is lacking
Occasional rough and disruptive shifts from the automatic transmission

What's new

Various new option packages
Part of the 10th Continental generation introduced in 2017

Overview

Written by automotive expert Ryan ZumMallen

Updated: 4/17/2020

Just saying the words "Lincoln Continental" summons a certain elegance that harkens back to the glory days of the luxury brand. And from a distance, the new sedan that carries that torch appears to do its predecessors justice, with graceful looks and the subtle flair to turn heads along any fashion district.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

9 listings

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2020 Lincoln Continental
Reserve Sedan
$29,510
great price
$3,803 below market
- 61,235 miles
- 2,271 mi away
- Home delivery*
- AWD/4WD
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
Close
Located in Los Angeles, CA
CarFax No Accidents Reported, High Demand, Rare Find,Apple CarPlay,Back-Up Camera,Blind Spot Monitor,Bluetooth,Brake Assist,Hands-Free Liftgate,Heated...
Listing Information:
VIN:
1LN6L9NC4L5600211
Stock:
L5600211PR
Certified Pre-Owned:
No
2020 Lincoln Continental
Reserve Sedan
$35,490
good price
$1,951 below market
- 32,031 miles
- 17 City / 25 Hwy MPG
- 106 mi away
- AWD/4WD
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
Close
Located in Richmond, VA
Features and Specs:
20 Combined MPG (17 City/25 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN:
1LN6L9NP7L5607446
Stock:
FB0199
Certified Pre-Owned:
No
Listed since:
08-12-2026

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The problem is that the Continental can't match modern trendsetters when it comes to build quality. And even at a price that places it among affordable luxury sedans, competitors from Cadillac and Genesis offer a more complete package. A handful of minor updates for 2020 don't go far enough to keep the Continental current in a segment that is rapidly improving.

The latest model year offers refreshed exterior colors and new optional packages that include helpful features such as soft-close doors and a 19-speaker audio system. Otherwise, the Continental returns with its three available engines — a 3.7-liter V6, a twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 and a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 — that offer muscle but not much panache. The seats are comfortable and the rear legroom is impressive. Overall, the Continental is a likable enough sedan, but there is little about it that suggests its predecessors were once among the most desired vehicles on the planet.

What's it like to live with the Continental?

The Edmunds editorial team purchased and lived with a Lincoln Continental for a year, logging just over 14,000 miles. We were unanimous in our praise for the powerful 3.0-liter turbocharged engine but had mixed opinions about the 30-way adjustable front seats and build quality. Note that while we tested a 2017 model, our observations still largely apply to the 2020 Continental as well. To learn more, check out our long-term Continental test for all the details, good and bad.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Average

7.2

out of 10

We drove the 2020 Lincoln Continental on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance

7/10

How does the Continental drive? The Lincoln Continental presents an enjoyable luxury driving experience, particularly at low speeds. A variable steering system makes maneuverability in parking lots a breeze, which is helpful for such a large car. Braking performance is strong, and the twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 pulls hard off the line.

The sedan begins to show cracks when it's driven with excitement. The steering is vague and inconsistent at speed, and the transmission sometimes shifts with a clunk. The all-wheel-drive system, standard with the 3.0-liter engine, does help liven up the Continental's handling a bit. Still, this is a car best driven on a slow and steady cruise.

Comfort

8/10

How comfortable is the Continental? In interior comfort, the Continental is on par with its class, although it does stand out in a few key areas. Very little noise from the V6 engine makes it into the cabin, contributing to a premium feel. Our fully loaded tester had a heated steering wheel and comfortable heated, cooled and massaging front seats. Automatic climate controls in the rear were also appreciated.

The suspension, however, hinders its luxury credentials. Comfort mode smooths over road imperfections, but the sedan sends a noticeable chatter into the cabin in any suspension setting. This lack of refinement is the car's biggest flaw when it comes to ride quality. Other luxury sedans simply do a better job.

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? Drivers and passengers will find a lot to like about the Continental's cabin. Compared to other luxury sedans, the car has a much more upright seating position, which we found comfortable. And the audio and climate button layout is well within reach. If that's not your style, the seats and steering wheel are highly configurable. The front row feels a bit tight due to the extreme legroom offered in the rear.

But again, the Continental stumbles when it comes to the little things. The large doors lend the Lincoln a stylish profile, but they make it difficult to enter and exit in tight spaces. And the interior door handles are difficult to find, and the locking swipe pad on the exterior door handles frequently ignores your touch.

Technology

8/10

How’s the tech? The Sync infotainment system with navigation is a welcome standard feature on the Reserve and Black Label trims. It's easy to use and can understand voice controls, although some commands could be made more clear. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility is standard on all trims and works well. USB ports are positioned both front and rear.

The premium audio systems that come with higher trims deliver high-quality sound, especially at low volumes. Turn the stereo up near its max and the sound gets harsh. And while the navigation system is simple enough to get you to your destination, it's not as advanced as competing models.

Storage

7.5/10

How’s the storage? Perhaps another casualty of the Continental's smooth profile and roomy rear seat, the sedan's awkward trunk space hinders its overall storage capability. A low liftover height makes it easier to load heavy objects, but otherwise the space is short and small. The width and depth are good, but overall the Continental struggles to carry much in its trunk.

Up front, there is a spacious center console and plenty of other storage options, but some are too tight to hold large phones or tablets. Child seat anchor points are a strong point, with clearly marked anchors that are easy to access. Large rear-facing car seats are no problem thanks to the excessive back-row space.

Fuel Economy

7/10

How’s the fuel economy? During our time with the Continental, we averaged 16.4 mpg, which is short of the EPA-estimated 19 mpg combined (16 city/24 highway). It's definitely capable of more efficiency on the highway, but it falls well short in city driving unless you're judicious with the accelerator pedal.

Value

6.5/10

Is the Continental a good value? The Continental makes a reasonable case for itself in the base and even Reserve trims. But as the price rises, you become more aware of some drawbacks such as the mediocre quality of some interior materials. Our test car also had some unevenly fitted body panels — that's not something you want to see on a luxury sedan.

Wildcard

6/10

There is not a whole lot of excitement to be had in the Continental. It's meant to be driven with a soft foot on the accelerator, a soft touch on the steering wheel and plenty of room to come to a soft stop. Anything else is expecting too much. The Continental gets by on its looks and its long list of features that, at first glance, seems to match the competition. But the execution is lacking. Many luxury sedans deliver a truly premium experience with thrills or impressive value in the process. For Lincoln, that's a mountain too high.

2020 Lincoln Continental trim level differences

Lincoln offers the Continental in three trims: base, Reserve and Black Label. The Continental offers three engine choices, and all-wheel drive is available with each one. The sedan also presents a wide variety of equipment packages to add. Compare the 2020 Lincoln Continental trim levels in-depth.

Which Continental trim does Edmunds recommend?

Take a look at the Continental Reserve, which comes standard with the 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine. It also offers an optional 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 with some extra oomph. The price difference over the base Continental trim is justified by 24-way power leather seats, a 360-degree camera and a power-shade moonroof.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$223/mo

$250/mo

Avg. Large Car

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Reliability

The 2020 Lincoln Continental has a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic warranty and 2 recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 4 out of 5, ranks it #3 out of 48 among Luxury Fullsize Cars. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

4 out of 5 stars4/5Excellent

#3 out of 48 among Luxury Fullsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

$617/yr

vs. $729/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car

Frequency

0.36x/yr

vs. 1.74x/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car

Severity

9.7%

vs. 14.7%
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car

Recalls

2 recalls found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 25V442000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 25S72
Manufactured from:: 2019-04-25 to
Number of vehicles affected:: 200061
Defect Description:: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
Defect Consequence:: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 28, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.

Recall Number:: 22V644000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 22S51
Number of vehicles affected:: 277040
Defect Description:: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2020 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental vehicles equipped with the 360-degree camera system. Degradation of the camera's anit-reflective lens coating can lead to a foggy or cloudy rearview camera image.
Defect Consequence:: Lack of a clear rearview camera image can reduce the driver's visibility of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 14, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S51.

Warranty

4 years / 50,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 6 years / 70,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 5 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: unlimited years / unlimited miles

Lincoln Continental Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.4

39 reviews

5(72%)

4(7%)

3(10%)

2(9%)

1(2%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2020 Continental Features & Specs

Trim:

Base

Est. Market Value	$22,149
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	20 MPG
Cost to Drive	$223/month
Seating	5 seats
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the Continental models:

Pre-Collision Assist: Alerts the driver of the need to apply the brakes to avoid a front collision and automatically brakes if the driver takes no action.
Lane Keeping System: Warns the driver when the car drifts out of its lane and can apply steering input to keep the car in its lane.
Blind-Spot Information System: Monitors the vehicle's blind spots and alerts the driver to the presence of other cars.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover10.6%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good