My Experience Comparing Lincoln Continental vs. Lincoln MKZ

I’ve always been drawn to the allure of luxury sedans, where comfort meets style and performance. The Lincoln Continental and Lincoln MKZ stand out as two vehicles that promise that refined experience, but which one truly delivers? 

In this article, I’ll share my firsthand journey comparing these two Lincoln models, breaking down their pros and cons, key features, and what makes each unique. Whether you’re seeking a spacious cruiser or a nimble hybrid, I’ll help you navigate the choice with a detailed comparison, all while keeping things conversational and real.

Comparison Table of Lincoln Continental vs. Lincoln MKZ

My Journey with Luxury Sedans

Luxury sedans have always held a special place in my heart. There’s something about sinking into a plush leather seat, feeling the smooth hum of a powerful engine, and gliding down the highway that feels like a small victory in life. My love for these cars started years ago when I drove a friend’s Lincoln Town Car, a land yacht that made every trip feel like a first-class flight. That experience set a high bar, and when I began researching modern Lincolns, the Continental and MKZ caught my eye.

Both promise that signature Lincoln elegance, but they cater to slightly different vibes—one’s a stately flagship, the other a sporty midsize contender. I wanted to explore what makes each tick, especially since both were discontinued in 2020, making them intriguing used-car options today. My goal? To figure out which one suits my needs—and maybe yours too.

Lincoln Continental Overview

When I first slid behind the wheel of a 2020 Lincoln Continental, it felt like stepping into a rolling lounge. This full-size sedan exudes grandeur, with its long hood and chrome-accented grille screaming classic luxury. It’s the kind of car that makes you want to take the long way home just to soak in the experience.

Pros of the Lincoln Continental

• Spacious Interior: With 106.4 cubic feet of passenger volume, the Continental feels like a mansion on wheels. I could stretch out in the front (44.4 inches of legroom) and my passengers in the back (41.3 inches) never complained, even on long road trips. It’s ideal for families or anyone who values space.
• Powerful Engine Options: The Continental’s engines are no slouches. The base 3.7L V6 pumps out 305 horsepower, but the optional 3.0L twin-turbo V6, exclusive to Lincoln, delivers a thrilling 400 horsepower. I felt the surge when merging onto highways, making passing effortless.
• Luxury Features: The 30-way Perfect Position seats are a game-changer. I adjusted them to fit my frame perfectly, and the massage function was a godsend on long drives. Add the E-Latch door handles and available Revel Ultima 19-speaker audio, and it’s clear Lincoln went all-in on comfort.
• Smooth Ride: The adaptive suspension reads the road ahead, smoothing out bumps like a magic carpet. Coming from my old Town Car, I appreciated how the Continental maintained that plush, floaty ride while still handling curves decently.
• Reliability Reputation: With a 7.6/10 reliability rating from iSeeCars, the Continental gave me confidence it could last. Owners on forums like lincolnforums.com rave about its longevity, especially compared to less dependable luxury brands.

Cons of the Lincoln Continental

• Fuel Economy: The Continental’s thirst for gas is noticeable. The base engine gets 17/26 MPG (city/highway), and the twin-turbo V6 drops to 16/24. My wallet felt the pinch during city driving.
• Pricey Starting Point: At $46,305 MSRP, it’s pricier than the MKZ. Even used, a well-equipped 2020 model can run $25,897–$45,987, which might stretch budgets compared to competitors like the Chrysler 300.
• Cargo Space: The 16.7 cu. ft. trunk is decent but smaller than I expected for a full-size sedan. My weekly Costco hauls fit, but I had to Tetris the bags more than I liked.
• Tech Concerns: The E-Latch door buttons, while cool, worried me in emergencies. A forum user on lincolnforums.com mentioned a door switch failure, and I wondered what’d happen in a water landing if electronics shorted out.
• Discontinuation: Lincoln stopped making the Continental in 2020, so parts and service might get trickier down the road. This gave me pause about long-term ownership.

Lincoln MKZ Overview

The 2020 Lincoln MKZ, on the other hand, feels like the Continental’s sportier, trendier sibling. It’s a midsize sedan with a sleek profile and a retractable panoramic roof that had me grinning every time I opened it. Driving it felt nimble, almost like it was egging me on to take corners a bit faster.

Pros of the Lincoln MKZ

• Fuel Efficiency: The MKZ’s base 2.0L turbo I-4 gets 20/31 MPG, and the hybrid version shines at 41/38 MPG. I loved how the hybrid stretched my fuel budget, especially for city commutes.
• Lower Price Point: Starting at $36,750, the MKZ is more accessible. Used 2020 models range from $20,943 to $32,439, making it a bargain for luxury shoppers.
• Hybrid Option: The 2.0L Atkinson-Cycle hybrid (188 hp) is a standout, offering eco-friendly driving without sacrificing comfort. I found it smooth and quiet, perfect for urban life.
• Sporty Handling: The MKZ’s smaller size and optional sport-tuned suspension (Driver’s Package) made it feel agile. I enjoyed zipping through traffic, where the Continental felt more ponderous.
• Reliability Edge: With an 8.5/10 iSeeCars reliability rating, the MKZ outshines the Continental. Owners on Reddit’s r/LincolnMotorCo praise its durability, especially the hybrid.

Cons of the Lincoln MKZ

• Cramped Rear Seat: The 37 inches of rear legroom felt tight for my taller friends. With 96.6 cu. ft. of passenger volume, it’s less spacious than the Continental, which was a dealbreaker for family road trips.
• Base Engine Power: The standard 2.0L I-4 (245 hp) is adequate but lacks the Continental’s punch. I noticed it when towing my small trailer, where the V6 models felt stronger.
• Cargo Limitations: The standard trunk offers 15.4 cu. ft., but the hybrid’s battery cuts it to 11.8 cu. ft. My grocery runs were manageable, but large items were a squeeze.
• Less Prestigious: The MKZ shares its platform with the Ford Fusion, which some purists (like a commenter on The Autopian) argue makes it feel less “luxury” and more “upscale.” I didn’t mind, but the badge didn’t carry the Continental’s gravitas.
• Consumer Reports Critique: Despite its reliability edge, Consumer Reports flagged the MKZ for “poor predicted reliability” in some years, which made me second-guess its long-term dependability.

Performance Comparison

When it comes to power, the Continental has the edge for raw muscle. Its base 3.7L V6 (305 hp) outpaces the MKZ’s 2.0L I-4 (245 hp), and the top-tier 3.0L twin-turbo V6 (400 hp) is a beast. I felt the difference when accelerating onto highways—the Continental surges with authority.

The MKZ, however, isn’t a slouch. Its optional 3.0L twin-turbo V6 matches the Continental’s 400 hp in AWD models, and I found it peppy for a midsize sedan. The MKZ’s hybrid, while less powerful at 188 hp, prioritizes efficiency, which I appreciated during long commutes.

Both cars offer AWD, a must for my winter drives. The Continental’s adaptive suspension made it feel like gliding over snow, while the MKZ’s sportier setup gave me confidence in tighter turns. The MKZ’s six-speed automatic (or eCVT in the hybrid) shifts smoothly, but I noticed the Continental’s transmission felt a tad more refined, especially in Comfort mode.

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Interior and Comfort

The Continental’s cabin is a masterpiece. The 30-way seats, with heating, ventilation, and massage, made me feel like royalty. The wood and leather accents, plus the quietness from active noise cancellation, created a serene environment. I loved the rear-seat climate controls for passengers, a feature the MKZ lacks.

The MKZ’s interior, while luxurious with Bridge of Weir leather and real wood, feels a step below. Its 11-speaker audio system (versus the Continental’s 10 or optional 19) sounded crisp, but the smaller cabin felt less grand. The MKZ’s panoramic roof, though, added a sense of openness I adored.

Technology and Safety

Both sedans come loaded with tech. The SYNC 3 infotainment system in each is intuitive, with an 8-inch touchscreen (MKZ) or 10.1-inch (Continental). I found voice commands responsive for navigation and music. Both offer adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors, with 5/5 NHTSA safety ratings.

The Continental edges out with its 360-degree camera and pre-collision assist, which gave me peace of mind in tight lots. The MKZ’s optional Technology Package adds similar features, but I noticed the Continental’s execution felt more polished.

Driving Experience

Driving the Continental feels like piloting a yacht—smooth, deliberate, and luxurious.

Its Lincoln Drive Control (Comfort, Normal, Sport modes) let me tweak the ride, but it’s best in Comfort for soaking up bumps.

The MKZ, with its sportier DNA, feels more agile, especially with the Driver’s Package.

I enjoyed carving through suburban streets, though the ride could feel firm on rough roads. For long highway cruises, the Continental was my pick; for city hustling, the MKZ shone.

Reliability and Maintenance

Reliability is a big deal for me, as I plan to keep my next car for a decade. The MKZ’s 8.5/10 iSeeCars reliability rating gave me confidence, especially the hybrid’s reputation for low maintenance. The Continental’s 7.6/10 is solid but trails slightly, and forum posts on lincolnforums.com mention occasional electronic issues (like E-Latch failures).

Oil filter access concerned me—both have protective plates under the engine, but the MKZ’s is easier to navigate, per mechanic friends. Long-term, the MKZ’s shared Fusion platform might mean cheaper parts, but the Continental’s exclusivity could complicate repairs post-2020.

Price and Value

Price is where the MKZ pulls ahead. Its $36,750 base MSRP (and lower used prices) makes it a steal for luxury features. The Continental, starting at $46,305, feels premium but demands a bigger investment. For budget-conscious buyers, the MKZ’s hybrid offers unmatched efficiency and value.

However, the Continental’s spaciousness and high-end features justify the cost if luxury is your priority. I found used Continentals hold value slightly less (54.3% depreciation over five years) compared to the MKZ (51%), per iSeeCars, which could sway bargain hunters.

My Personal Take

After test-driving both, I’m torn. The Continental feels like a statement—a car that turns heads and pampers you with space and power. It’s perfect for long trips or impressing clients. But the MKZ’s efficiency, sporty handling, and lower price make it a practical daily driver. My kids fit better in the Continental’s roomy back seat, but the MKZ’s hybrid saved me at the pump. If I’m honest, the Continental aligns with my love for classic Lincoln grandeur, but the MKZ’s modern edge suits my busy lifestyle.

Also Read: Krown Undercoating reviews

Choosing the Right Lincoln for You

Your choice depends on your priorities. If you crave space, power, and flagship luxury, the Continental is your match. It’s ideal for families or those who love a plush ride. If efficiency, agility, and affordability matter more, the MKZ—especially the hybrid—delivers. Test-drive both, as I did, to feel the difference. Check used inventories, as both were discontinued in 2020, and prioritize models with service records to ensure reliability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

I’ve laid out the Lincoln Continental and MKZ through my lens, and now it’s your turn to decide. The Continental offers unmatched luxury and space, perfect if you want to feel like you’re driving a rolling palace. The MKZ, with its efficiency and sporty flair, fits your daily grind without breaking the bank. Whichever you choose, both deliver Lincoln’s promise of style and comfort. Take a test drive, weigh your needs, and let me know which one steals your heart!