2019 Lincoln Continental Reserve AWD: “Quiet luxury personified”
powerplant as fitted on our tester; namely a 3.0-liter V6 engine making a monstrous 400 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. Each engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. However, the as-tested 3.0-liter V-6 arrives the six-speed, and the unique torque-vectoring All-wheel-drive system, capable of sending 100 percent of the engine’s power to the rear wheels.
Although “quiet luxury” may have been the name of the game, our test car, the loaded 2019 Continental Reserve AWD shouted out with features. It came equipped with: climate package, 30-way multi contour heated and cooled front massage seats (That do massage wonderfully!), and the optional luxury package including premium LED headlights, Revel Ultima audio system, twin panel sunroofs with power shades and the technology package with active park assist, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, pre collision with pedestrian detection and 360 degree camera. The base cost for our Lincoln was $68,265 with totals options costing $15,950 plus destination and freight. The final tally came to $86,215. The interior is superb, from the one-touch opening doors to the wonderful cappuccino leather interior. Real wood, adorns the center console, dash, and doors. Lincoln has paid attention to the details, with cool metal accents, and wonderfully rendered controls and switchgear. It’s as swanky as it ever gets in there. Highlights include the complete range of every creature comfort you could imagine, and the premium audiophile quality Revel 19-speaker sound system ($2,700) that features incredible audio imaging.
The new Lincoln Continental also adds lashings of safety. The rear seat package ($5,000) offers a limo, like ambience with executive type comfort, there are heated and cooled power-reclining rear seats with massage functions, and window blinds a center console capable of controlling the Sync3 infotainment system and air conditioning. There is enough room, both front and rear for sixfoot plus passengers to stretch out. One of the Lincoln’s major advantages is the large trunk, and folding rear seats. On the road, the 3.0 Lincoln offers impressive acceleration in confident, controlled manner as befits the stately car. Opt for some performance driving and the ride firms up in Sport mode. The Continental’s six-speed shifts operates seamlessly and is more than up to the task of channelling the prodigious horsepower through all four wheels The V6 offers smooth responses and a well-managed spread of power. The power makes itself known in the mid and upper range of the tach rather than at the low end, despite a considerable curb weight, the Continental moves and corners with a surprising agility. The comfort tuned suspension work well through the well-weighted steering, and the Continental handles with aplomb. Downsides are few. In official U.S. safety-tests, the Continental has top marks based on crash-test results and available safety features. In addition Lincoln’s all-encompassing driver-assistance package is standard on every Continental model. Comfortable, superbly equipped and finished, the Continental is a luxury car that’s well worth considering. Highly recommended
2019 Lincoln Continental Reserve AWD Priced from $68,265. Price as tested with totals options destination and freight price $86,215. More info at www.lincoln.ca