Road Test: 2017 Lincoln Continental - The Missing Lincoln

We see what's new with a classic American brand.

[@ICrane88]

I think it's great John Davis is still doing the show can't picture motorweek without him

[@2steaksandwiches665]

I will miss the day when he’s no longer on and yelling at us.

[@GeeEm1313]

I sat in one of these at the Portland Auto Show and it's such an underrated car. Just messing around with the 30 way power seats was a treat.

[@brookt70]

I just bought a 2017 Black Label trim with the 3.0 Liter TT pushing 400hp, it's a beast!

[@thatamerican550]

To those who are searching for a new car and wanted to go American, i beg you to see this car in person. This video doesnt do it justice at all, all I can see is that by far this is the best Lincoln I've seen in 30 years

[@JH-qy7zw]

really is eye catching in person. Saw a blacked out continental at the airport and I was very impressed.

[@TheOzthewiz]

From the video you can see that the "fit and finish" is FANTASTIC !

[@mbenjamin292]

This vid on this car is not close to real person interaction with this car.I tested this car and drove off with it wow is all I can say.thank you Lincoln 100 thumbs up people don't have any idea what there missing.

[@texan903]

Yet after just four years on the market, it's being canceled.

[@johnjohnmcclane1818]

@@texan903 ...because no one is buying sedans, they're buying SUVs and crossovers.

[@radioguy1620]

this thing is a rocket compared to most classic muscle cars stock for stock.

[@oldtwins]

It certainly is. 105mph trap speed shows it has the power. Plus, expect to gain another 100hp through a tune, albeit it will void your warranty so I doubt many will do it vs the lesser Ford ecoboost product line. But it just gives the buyer another choice, which is always good.

[@tmmurphy]

LOL, can you really see the intended demographic adding a tune and running this on the dyno? Would you be surprised to spot a modded one of these at your local "test 'n tune" unless it was a high school kid who borrowed his mom's car? I saw some kids years ago with a GP GTP with a bag of Home City Ice on the intake at a local track waiting in line. Since I had one myself, I asked them whose car it was and one said it was his mom's. I of course asked if she knew they were drag racing it and they said "No." 14.7 for a stock GTP was better than the typical enthusiast mag at the time so I wished them luck and continued on.

[@DJ_BROBOT]

huh?! The Conti wasnt a muscle car, so why that comparison? That aint apples to apples comparo

[@radioguy1620]

A muscle car used to be defined as a ordinary looking car that was fast , usually a bigger or full sized, car, the word has been used differently over the recent years of course , perhaps a great sleeper would be a better description

[@scdevon]

This V6 Lincoln would have eaten the doors off of almost any car during the muscle era. Except an AC Cobra or some Vettes,

[@parisjohnson5012]

Still Waiting for the Town Car return???

[@steveespinola7652]

I would loved it also for the Town Car to come back but it's not going to happen.

[@PedroParkerD]

@ATCkeepsUsafe then why is this Continental even a thing?

[@datnguyen1615]

I wish Linconl develope a new Town Car with inheritage from mid 90's. That is talking about Linconl. Sadly it isn't

[@GiordanDiodato]

Big RWD luxury sedans aren't popular

[@thebestisyettocome4114]

John, has been on the air long enough to made money to own a car like this or better. His show has been on PBS and a fixture in my household for years 👍

[@chrisarteaga7172]

ggg

[@Porsche996driver]

Ok I’m going back to like 1980 in high school. John looks great and fit these days!

[@maryrobinson4131]

First time I saw motorweek they were introducing the first ever kia sportage.. So I have been watching for about 20 or more years.. WOW!!!! 😆!!!

[@BryanChance]

What a car!! I think they got it more than just right. The engineers, designers and product managers at Lincoln deserve a bonus.

[@andrewh4713]

Amazing to see John review this 2017 Lincoln Continental almost 40 years after reviewing the 1982 one using the same review recipe

[@BrendanMacWade]

China loves it. But honestly, it is the best Lincoln sedan since the LS. That's almost 20 years.

[@TA1199]

It's all about China now. Every car maker is patronizing the market leaving their former core buyers behind.

[@Tully3674]

That's not saying much as the LS was a good car but far from a great car. Its resale value tanked more then typical for a car in its class after 2 years. With that said, I'd wait one year before buying - let others "beta-test" this new car's platform/mechanics/electronics.

[@johnmustitch6693]

I have watched every video on the Continental. I much prefer comfort then a sport car! The Black Lable with all the options is a great deal. And it is made in America, that is a plus! We need to put our people to work! We need to keep our money here not in Germany or South Korea. We need to keep supporting our own country! Buy this and be proud. You will have something that the others don't. Help rebuild USA!!

[@darklordchris]

SterrShow - I had two Town Cars, 94' & 98' I miss allot, but I learned just to back them in every you go like a truck and you have no issues.

[@darklordchris]

Brendan A. MacWade - Loved my 2000 LS with Governor. Ford messed up on that when they decided not to make the sporty supercharged version like promised, then refused to keep updating it properly when the briefly had the segment lead. The LS had so much potential, but they went back to the OLD Ford/Lincoln thinking "Our Customers don't want all that new techno stuff or an overly powerful car, they only care about comfort..."...and it cost them, just like the Town Car.

[@aurorajones8481]

You guys need to say if if the pebble dash is not up to your standards step up to the Black Label where you get real leather something the Volvo doesn't offer. In fact you need to drop serious dough for that in a MB or BMW so it does match up if you compare apples to apples. But you need to bring that to the watchers attention!

[@TheUnsureFox]

Aurora Jones Agreed!

[@marksachse9027]

Actually VOLVO dose offer a leather dash on the S90 and the XC90.

[@ascott2168]

Aurora Jones, I second that !!! Nobody complains about a BMW 5 series or MB E-class costing damn near $100k when fully optioned and they don't have leather std so...

[@DJ_BROBOT]

its because the way BMW puts a interior together is something wonderful....its like the fit and finish is amazing, even if there is plastic in their interiors...

[@jamesback8024]

I Disagree, I find most BMW's to be...clunky and needlessly over-engineered. But Drive what you like, that's why there are so many different brands and types.

[@chickenfarm09]

It's about time them reintroduced actual names instead of using random letters from the alphabet.

[@vernonpaigejr.1517]

It's 2020. Now all they have are SUVs with names.

[@LamontBoucherville]

😆 agree. Tell that too cadillac

[@maxxfargo4282]

Rite

[@tedschmitt178]

The letters did appear to be random, although they were not.

[@tytotheler92]

I think it's odd to use the Fusion platform instead of the D11 platform the Taurus and Explorer ride on, but then I remember how cramped that platform is, and how old it is also... The control the Fusion platform takes over torque steer is also really good. I've sat in one of these. I love them. The colored interiors offered are amazing. I am excited to see where this car takes Ford and Lincoln.

[@antoinetaylor8516]

tytotheler92 7

[@Patchuchan]

Yah it's kinda like when Chrysler made the Le Baron on the K-car platform back in the 1980s. They really need to make a successor to the panther platform so they can have V8 RWD car to compete against Lexus and Cadillac.

[@aaronmcconkey6448]

Put another symbol and it would be $150000 anywhere else.

[@jamesslick4790]

The classic old Lincoln shown was based on a mid size Ford too, The Thunderbird.

[@Doobie1975]

I wish the new Continental came with rear wheel drive and optional V8 engine.

[@calebmastruserio7811]

I literary just said that to myself 2 mins ago. Ford was stupid for canceling its panther platform

[@RAYGEEZ92]

Trust me, AWD & 400 HP? That's plenty

[@calebmastruserio7811]

​@@RAYGEEZ92 thats not the point, at least to me. its about having a simple platform which can run for hundreds of thousands of miles. Something no automaker has the guts to do anymore. The complexity of AWD and those 3.7 V6 mounted transversely are complicated and dont have the real sound of a V8

[@carwrtr1]

I love the Continental; just didn’t like the front wheel drive. I’m not worried about a V8 engine unless it’s the 4.6.

[@spukersonmerlosk1661]

@@calebmastruserio7811 EXACTLY

[@rickreid81]

Finally Lincoln is in the right direction. A car that is their own in style...looks ect ect. I agree also this is their best car since the LS! What a gap in time.

[@pbwmanagement]

@ Eric Fortune, well said, couldn't agree with you more. Enlightened folks will see past the badge snobbery that goes with the high end German (European) brands. This Lincoln looks good and is priced to sell .

[@NotBen101]

Rick Reid didn't the ls suck

[@hakeemsd70m]

NotBen101 Nope. The LS was an awesome car.

[@waynes.2983]

@@hakeemsd70m no the LS has serious issues. My cousin has one & it has always been a lemon.

[@halohunter5217]

The LS is a common sight at the local junkyard. That and Minis.

[@phil955i]

I've been watching some retro reviews up to about the late 80s & clicked on this one by mistake. Same bloke still presenting the show, just older & with less hair lol, but still recognised him :-)

[@mbd501]

I like it. It's nice looking and it's what a Lincoln Continental should be - plush ride, luxurious interior, decent performance.

[@scdevon]

This mild mannered Lincoln would blow the doors off of most SuperCars during the muscle era. Man , the way this thing comes out of the hole with AWD is insane !!

[@michaelangelo5783]

That's not saying much. The second generation Lexus is350 sport sedan from 2006 could crack a high 4 (4.7-4.9) to 60mph and run a 13.5 quarter with a 3.5 V6 (no turbo). It was the quickest NA V6 sedan on the market for many years...actually, I can't think of any surpassing it's acceleration numbers.

[@darthvader_345]

this is such a nice and very comfortable car... I test drove one at the LA Auto Show and I honestly loved how it drove and it was very comfortable... I was really surprised how there was a lot of massaging positions that would were really nice and with me having a history of back problems it definitely helps a lot...

[@TheKEVIN3151]

1997 Lincoln Town Car Driver Here!

[@76carmel]

Kevin Griffey Kevin, I like to see a Town Car return to the Lincoln lineup.

[@maxschlotter4596]

I have a 1992 and a 2005 Town Car!

[@metalheadmikey]

Kevin Griffey 2000 Continental here man! love it

[@selerim]

Kevin Griffey 2004 Lincoln Town Car here too, long live RWD V8!

[@sterrshow5016]

keep the town car, pass on the new chromed up plastic fords that lincolns are now

[@frankburns8871]

That blonde Jesus dude looks so out of place in this car.

[@Lion-dr7uv]

Frank Burns I was thinking the same thing.

[@Lion-dr7uv]

CanadaCraig Haha good one!! I agree!!

[@frankburns8871]

Oh no you dit-ent. (sideways head bob/finger waggling)

[@leavingasap843]

Frank Burns lmao agreed

[@1400IntruderVS]

Frank Burns eats worms. Ferret face.

[@geoffk777]

It looks like a nice car and a return to form for the brand. But Man, that 1963 sedan at the beginning was just so beautiful. I wish they'd have come up with something even closer to it.

[@Porsche996driver]

Great elegant exterior design, especially the side sill with in-line door handles. It’s a head turner. Pricing should be about 10% lower.

[@ascott2168]

It's growing on me. Definitely a chill mobile. Comfy cruising, just what I like.

[@stonecold5373]

no luxury car in its class looks classier than the last exterior designs of the continental and mkz. not any Cadillac, audio, Mercedes, and definitely not the FUGLY BMW front ends with their tiny strange looking grills. Long live the mkz/contintentals. They are rare to see which makes them even that more beautiful when you see one. I cannot believe how many compliments i got as soon as i got my 2018. it is a magnet for attention.

[@matthewwheeler7499]

I've been waiting on this review I've seen others but I just like to see MotorWeek reviews. that Lincoln is nice!

[@Dodger2204]

Nice looking car. I'm seeing a lot of these on the road lately.

[@BlayzedBlue]

Not a Lincoln fan, but this is a very nice looking car.

[@aminuabdullahi5922]

Truly gorgeous car hope it and the fusion come back

[@dflet03]

looks pretty good honestly great choice of engines too

[@LeftIsBest001]

400 hp beast. What a beautiful car.

[@DimachkaS]

What would jesus drive? Lincoln apparently .

[@srcoifs]

Love the Lincoln.!!!

[@billdiebold5021]

I'll bet that left him smiling

[@thisismagacountry1318]

Mercedes Benz, Jews love German cars for some strange reason.

[@johannesfranck1770]

in germany HE drives ford... und ER fuhr Ford😜

[@pontiuspilate7610]

Jesus was too poor for this chariot. He rode a donkey.

[@noladol]

Beautiful car. I would love to have one with the 3.0 Turbo. One day...

[@Lion-dr7uv]

I've been waiting for this review!!

[@thomasaquinas5262]

This car was really nice, and remains so. The problem is/was that the really rich tend to buy high ticket imported cars, the others buying SUV luxo-barges. So this car is in relative obscurity, even though it's exquisite.

[@dkmorris713]

kudos to you guys for trying to stem the homeless problem. he looks so grateful to be in that lincoln, if a bit out of place.

[@lamaranderson9970]

I need this one day though

[@hozzyboy]

this guy sounds like he's the announcer on The Price is Right

[@chesspiece81]

Galpin Auto in California took a black on black one and blacked out all the chrome but the chrome blades on the fenders with dark tinted windows and some black 22" wheels. I've not really given these much thought but I have to admit that one made me reconsider. I'd love to DD one with similar mods, with black piano wood trim instead of the woodgrain and some nice staggered 22" wheels. The pictures I've seen of these with 20" wheels and smaller is just screaming for 22" wheels while keeping plenty of sidewall. Who knows one of these or a Lexus LS

[@landyachtfan79]

What an modern American Brougham/luxury car (for Joe) SHOULD BE!!!!!

[@Lion-dr7uv]

landyachtfan79 Yesss!!

[@bolivardigriz8847]

That 1/4 mile result is pretty frakkin' good for a two and quarter ton boat!

[@Ithinkiwill66]

Like the most expensive bottle of wine you can have! Beautiful!

[@jusfadez5920]

Very beautiful car.

[@EricFortuneJr.]

It’s actually faster than the 300C, both 0-60 and quarter mile.

[@Lancaster604]

I would love to own one of these Lincolns someday. I can only afford a 2002 right now, but someday!

[@imserious2187]

I'm loving this car

[@luxurreview]

What happened to comparing the car to it’s close competitors? They used to show a box on the bottom corner.

[@lightningbuster]

I've been waiting for this video. What a great looking car. Fast too!

[@wingedmonkeys548]

from the current style I find that the work is good

[@michaelballlenger7614]

What a shame Ford has discontinued this classic sadan.

[@noahc6246]

Love those door handles

[@carlos64030]

Nice looking car and I like the way the interior looks. I'm not digging those wheels at all, though. I'd bet the car would look ever better with a different set of wheels.

[@mczenk5095]

I agree, love everything except the wheels, same with the new Navigator.

[@magneto8002]

Why is there a cup holder on the engine?

[@lamaranderson9970]

Love this color

[@jixter_boy2452]

I had a 94 Conti. Loved it minus that crappy air ride. Bought it for $1,000 in 2006 w only 60k original miles from my boss. Cleanest one in town w the emerald green exterior and tan leather interior. It was detailed often being that my boss was the owner of an auto detail shop.

[@davidwhitehouse4511]

very nice

[@tomhertz1614]

Seats are incredible.

[@MaximillianPrintz]

I looked online at some. In Jan 2022 these things used are going almost for the original msrp. They look nice inside but odd outside.

[@jimjardine4705]

What about road noise from the tyres???

[@imserious2187]

Is the Ecoboost version faster than the V6?

[@jusmyamg65]

awesome!

[@SpeedRacer1967]

It's A shame this generation of Lincoln Continental only lasted four years

[@ravipeiris4388]

As impressive as this car is, the modern iteration of the Lincoln sold in China is stunning technologically and stylishly. No worries as the Lincoln as well as the Buick and Oldsmobile marquees are considered status symbols and will live on in China.

[@blackericdenice]

Hold the door up! A Lincoln doing 105 mph in the quarter?

[@roninkraut6873]

I was really hoping that this car was going to spark a Lincoln revolution. I wanted some RWD sedans with the Coyote engine.

[@manbunmullet372]

Gotta rice cooker option in that big ole console?

[@laurenshommen1767]

what a beautiful car.

[@RaymondHaley-bi8lx]

Cadillac, never topped the 1976-79 Cadillac Seville, but at least in 2017 fords Lincoln division finally got it right, best of all, with V6 engines,hey Cadillac take notes!!!!!

[@xRomeo999]

Good to see this car make a comeback.

[@wiibaron]

Better get one soon before they cancel it. They sold about 1000 a month the first year they were out, which is crappy. But in 2018 they have fallen to about 750 a month...

[@maestroadam]

Nice car!

[@aaronmcconkey6448]

The new navigator is my bae. Nav over escalade any day of the week.

[@kobra6660]

Looks like the Cadillac Lincoln luxury rivalry is back on continental vs ct6 big sedan showdown

[@gavenbloomquist5285]

1999 towncar driver here my car had been holding Lincoln up to 2011 6 years later and now they begin to get the memo better late then never Lincoln

[@ce9345]

Its sad to see the 75/80 dragaway in such disrepair. I owned a 2002 continental. Great car. It had the 4.6 ltr in tech engine. Very fast too.

[@taemitchell7419]

Too old new technology is way faster way better

[@brianpimentel]

Shits are clean 💯🔥

[@titopapi45]

is this the original test track from the early 80's?

[@JKIZZLLE]

titopapi45 yup

[@airconditionerfan9895]

Great question!

[@adampetten5349]

titopapi45 oh yes Lincoln was as quick as a BB 512 with that 5.4 0-60.

[@4drhtrd812]

If it had the Coyote V8 for some real growl and the rear suicide doors out of the box, they wouldn’t have been able to make enough for the demand. They’re close but still missing the mark.

[@Ayaki6166]

I love Lincoln.

[@jurzyjohner432]

That's Infinity Red Sport numbers. The wip is fast.

[@TheOzthewiz]

The Lincoln Continental is TOP rated midsized luxury car by Consumer Reports AND has the best reliability rating!

[@kingprince3793]

I have Been wanting his job got over 20 years.. like wth how old is he

[@roninwilliams8898]

I'm a big person.I had an Awsome black cont...should have never sold it...went to b.m.w......Somthimg about the American car felt so much better on the long trips...drive one,they are alive😎

[@P71ScrewHead]

So no one is going to mention that this car does the same 1/4 mile as the New Edge Mustang GT??

[@realazduffman]

16 city?? You sure you didn't run a Town Car?

[@go86go]

"a sizable trunk with a very easy to find release"

[@smithraymond09029]

How many of these did they sell? I've only seen about 3 of these on the road in 4 years here on Los Angeles.

[@u2mister17]

It is a great car. They just don't force the dealers to separate into a Lincoln store by itself. The uppity type needs the pampering.

[@TheMrPeteChannel]

It's not a crossover. That's why it didn't sell.

[@kth6126]

Why would Lincoln discontinue the Continental? Why. Love this car

[@squiresonwheels3249]

Cause dumb people without brain cells keep buying crossovers

[@MandusahRamirez]

Im thought this Continental was based on the Taurus chassis because the MKZ shares the Fusion chassis

[@vincentlee9638]

FWD, V6, fusion platform, ancient 6speed auto. The most important hardware of a car are all subpar. The interior equipments are nice tho.

[@kalpeshshelat]

Why the fuckity fuck aren't Lincoln cars available in Australia?! They're sooo good, in my opinion better than the Audi's, both the Continental and 2018 Navigator are just gorgeous.

[@carwrtr1]

It’s a beautiful car that does have a nice ride. However, this car does NOT need a turbo engine; the 3.7L V6 has plenty of power, and the car should have been rear wheel drive, NOT front wheel drive. Rear drive belongs on BIG sedans and gives a superior ride that is stable and controlled, along with being easier to service. I don’t like the electronic shifter and push button start; this car is supposed to be for big car customers. When Lincoln discontinued Town Car and also Continental, that’s where they started having problems. I have owned 2 Lincoln Town Car sedans and they were wonderful cars that were reliable and delivered excellent fuel mileage for their size.

[@squeaksvids5886]

Why do they wear crash helmets on those tests?

[@mariolopez9756]

Sweet!

[@papocam3853]

economy boxes have 6sp automatic transmission. what happened to the 9/10sp-auto that both FORD & GM COLLUDED IN MAKING? The coyote 5 liter V-8, suicide doors... Let's see how it will $ell. decent look, but,.....

[@eurosonly]

Interior styling looks a bit dated but the power figures are worthy of the price tag and the look is also really clean. The front is more round and the back is more boxy which looks a bit odd however.

[@KlipschHead281]

Did you run it down the 1/4 with 87 octane? If so that explains the relatively slow performance, I run 93 in mine and the difference is very noticeable.

[@lexusrcflover9175]

You run better then a 13.7 at 105?

[@KlipschHead281]

@@lexusrcflover9175 - ran 12.7@109

[@lexusrcflover9175]

@@KlipschHead281 stock?

[@KlipschHead281]

@@lexusrcflover9175 - It has a tune, stock it ran a 13.1@106

[@lexusrcflover9175]

@@KlipschHead281 that tune probly gave you like 50 hp..and you made it seem like you ran a better then a 13.7 at 105 stock..I have to say you must have an amazing tune tho and a 13.7 ain't bad for a car that weighs over 4000 lbs

[@drewburk6309]

I had high hopes for this car but it didn't sell nearly as well in China as predicted (which is one of the main reasons they built it) and it only sold 8,000 units in 2018. I think it's a goner. They are offering a limited edition "Coach" model with suicide doors but it costs twice as much.

[@styldsteel1]

My friends limo company bought ten of them and already his car has 5O thousand miles on it. He absolutely loves it. The most comfortable, reliable cars he's driven next to the old full sized black cars which they had to get rid of with over 500k miles. If you want to find out about a cars reliability??? Ask a limo driver. Not your buddy who drives an import. When my buddy brings his car back at night, the next shift comes in, cleans it and off he goes.

[@Clarkecars]

Looks more like a Jaguar XJ than a Jaguar XJ does these days. I like it.

[@silversunlicker]

First MW Lincoln review , where John Davis didn't use the term "Luxo Boat!"