2017 Lincoln Continental

Engine, Transmission, and Performance
With three different V-6 engines on offer—two of them boosted by twin turbos—the Continental doesn’t want for power. The base 3.7-liter V-6 makes 305 horsepower, but further down the options sheet, buyers will find a 335-hp twin-turbo 2.7-liter V-6 and a 400-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6. Unfortunately, none of the engines is very fuel-efficient, and the behavior of the 3.0-liter twin-turbo six that we tested was uneven, with overly aggressive throttle response and some transmission issues. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional. All Continentals, regardless of engine or driven wheels, shuffle gears through a six-speed automatic. In our testing, the transmission suffered a sag-then-surge response to our right-foot commands. The Continental’s acceleration is impressive, although the power provided by the top twin-turbo V-6 is probably more than this relaxed cruiser really needs. Lincoln isn’t chasing sports-sedan glory with the Continental, content instead to provide a well-cushioned ride. That’s not to say the Continental isn’t a competent-handling sedan—it’s stable in corners, and its crisp, communicative steering is a strong point.