BORG Posted December 12, 2016 Share Posted December 12, 2016 (edited) I got to spend time with a Continental today with a 2.7L EB, my MKX was getting an oil change. This was a loaded model but without the "Ultimate Package", it did have the 30-way seats. As a former MKS owner and LONG time MKX leaser, the first thing that shocked me is how low the car sits, but there is plenty of shoulder and headroom and the seats go very low. It fits me well because I have long legs, something that tends to cause all sorts of issues for me in other Fords. It feels substantially roomier than MKZ even with similar dimensions, because of the boxier roof. It's a nice fit but so so low. The interior is on par with my MKX, similar materials, colors, leathers, etc. Black Label is really needed to make this car feel next-level and not just another Lincoln. I do prefer the MKX interior for it's smoother surfacing and less chunky plastic bits. The top of the dashboard center is more of an eyesore than I expected, it just looks way out of place and unfinished. This is also my first encounter with the new stalks and they look a little nicer, although they mostly feel the same in operation. The new switchgear on the console is a big improvement and easier to use. That's the most welcome design change. The Instrument panel is nice but the coloring is a hard one to love, it's easy on the eyes but so dull. The car drives almost exactly like my MKX but with a slightly wider/flatter feel. It feels compliant and handles corners nice and flat. It's quiet like my MKX but tends to produce more 'tire echo', the engine note is quieter in the Continental. The seats are a little disappointing to me because they feel so flat, the adjustments are great but I still need more thigh support and the extensions flex and move and are not solid like they are in my MKX, they are essentially useless to me since they don't offer proper support. The e-latch doors are interesting, but I honestly prefer the smooth quiet sound of a mechanical latch instead of the 'ca-chunk' latching noises. I do like the soft close feature however, but in practice it's not really needed with the latest Ford latches which are nicely calibrated for a soft and solid close (at least on my MKX). Overall its not really the car for me and I still think Lincoln needs to work on polishing some of these features. The MKX remains my Lincoln of choice for sure. Also got to spend a moment in the new MKZ and I also feel more comfortable with that interior's smoother design but it's definitely not as upscale as the MKX or Continental. Edited December 12, 2016 by BORG 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MKX1960 Posted December 13, 2016 Share Posted December 13, 2016 (edited) Nice someone has tried one out. I've watched a couple of YouTube videos and they were mostly positive. The KBB reviewer did have one complaint about the seat back, specifically where the 2 cushions meet. He complained the gap between them was digging into his back and would gladly give up a couple of adjustments to have a 1 piece backrest. The AutoVlog reviewer really seemed to like the car. One thing I noticed with this one is it had the 3.7 engine and the reviewer seemed to have the gas pedal to the floor a fair amount of the time. Yet I don't think he ever got over 60 MPH. I think I would rule that engine out if you mostly did highway driving. Edited December 13, 2016 by MKX1960 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted December 13, 2016 Share Posted December 13, 2016 We have the 3.7L in our MKX and it has plenty of power in all situations for normal driving and the MKX and Conti are about the same weight. You do need to give it more gas if you want really quick acceleration but that's more about the transmission not downshifting as much under medium acceleration - it makes for a smoother ride but you have to go about 3/4 throttle to get it to really move out. It's fine for people like my wife who never go over 50% throttle anyway. Others will want to go with the 2.7 or 3.0. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted December 13, 2016 Share Posted December 13, 2016 Leave it to Borg to complain about 30 way adjustable seats. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brucelinc Posted December 13, 2016 Share Posted December 13, 2016 Good write-up Borg. It sounds like you are more of a crossover kind of guy than a sedan buyer. I didn't really notice an eyesore at the center of the dash. I did think the dash top could be softer. I guess if you are accustomed to an MKX, you would feel like the Conti was low. I have had my MKS for the past 7 years and when I got in the Conti, I felt right at home. I do keep the seats in my MKS as low as they will go so maybe that is why the Conti didn't strike me as being low at all. We do differ on the e-latch doors and the seats. I think they are among the most impressive features of the car. You must have extremely heavy knees if the thigh extenders didn't provide adequate support. In comparing the sound of the doors closing with other Lincolns on the showroom floor, I found there was NO comparison as far as I was concerned. The Conti sounded more refined to me. In any case, one size never fits all and one type of vehicle is never going to please everyone. I just have no use for a crossover. What I would REALLY like is a luxury coupe but until one of those is available, I will stick with a premium sedan. Not to hijack your thread but here is Motor Trend's latest test for those who are interested and haven't seen it. By the way, I am a little disappointed in the acceleration numbers. They are almost exactly the same as a stock MKS which lower power ratings and a 2.77 gear compared to the Conti's 3.39. I will get an aftermarket tune for mine but I was hoping the stock numbers would be better. http://www.motortrend.com/cars/lincoln/continental/2017/2017-lincoln-continental-30t-awd-first-test-review/ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbone Posted December 13, 2016 Share Posted December 13, 2016 Brucelinc, what is the eta for your new ride? I'm very curious to hear actual owner impressions of the vehicle. I haven't seen one in the wild yet, but I did see a new style MKZ and I felt it had much better road presence, compared to the outgoing model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brucelinc Posted December 13, 2016 Share Posted December 13, 2016 Dealer says it is on a train between Flat Rock and Minneapolis - but I am not sure exactly where. The train makes a number of stops but I expect to see the car I ordered next week. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbone Posted December 13, 2016 Share Posted December 13, 2016 I'm looking forward to your review. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted December 13, 2016 Author Share Posted December 13, 2016 (edited) I have the 22-way seats in my MKX so I have some point of reference when it comes to the 30-way seats in the Continental. The continental seats are wider but since I'm not exactly wide myself I prefer the narrow grip on the MKX and the softer bottom so I can 'slot' into the seat more solidly. Not to mention the thigh extensions are solid and support my knees with that mushy flexing of the Continental which might be preferable to others since it might allow more leg movement. To me it feels like they are broken and I couldn't get them up high enough to fully support my thighs without just bending away from me. The lumbar controls are nice but I tend to prefer flatter lumbar support since I have something of a stooped posture. I think this is where some reviewers may complain about the gap in the back of the seat, I was wearing a peacoat so I didn't feel it myself. The 3.7 can get a little harsh compared to the EcoBoost at acceleration, but the thing I don't like about the 2.7EB is that it's buzzy and intrusive at slower speeds which the 3.7 definitely is not (or any other ecoboost I've driven). That's still the case in the Conti to a lesser extent, better isolation helps. Besides this, I love the smooth effortless power and the ease at which you can drive these cars smoothly yet responsively. Some people want the grunt of the engine, I want as little noise but as much power as possible. The doors have a very solid quiet clunk when shut, although not necessarily because of the e-latches. Just to illustrate... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5YFe46IogQ&feature=youtu.be BTW, I noticed that the seat controller assembly was scratched to hell for some reason, not sure if this happened at the factory or what. https://goo.gl/photos/ybjijVt4gR6bBJaP6 Edited December 13, 2016 by BORG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brucelinc Posted December 13, 2016 Share Posted December 13, 2016 I am puzzled by the thigh extenders not being solid. I didn't notice that on the ones that I drove. I will look at that the next time I sit in one. The bottom seat bolsters are adjustable so it seems like those would fit the fussiest of posteriors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted December 13, 2016 Share Posted December 13, 2016 I am puzzled by the thigh extenders not being solid. I didn't notice that on the ones that I drove. I will look at that the next time I sit in one. The bottom seat bolsters are adjustable so it seems like those would fit the fussiest of posteriors. Trust your experience more than Borg's complaints. Sometimes it seems like he's driving completely different vehicles than everyone else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted December 13, 2016 Author Share Posted December 13, 2016 (edited) Trust your experience more than Borg's complaints. Sometimes it seems like he's driving completely different vehicles than everyone else. We all believe what we want to hear, that much I've learned this year. Edited December 13, 2016 by BORG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted December 13, 2016 Share Posted December 13, 2016 We all believe what we want to hear, that much I've learned this year. And some people only know how to spew negativity, even when those people have to squint to see the negativity while looking right past the glaring positives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rperez817 Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 Thanks again for your review BORG. You are a good writer. I hope to experience Lincoln Continental limousine in my upcoming travels. Super Florida Limo service in South Florida already has one. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbone Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 This is the first one I've seen in black with black wheels and I love it. I think it looks fantastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brucelinc Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 Borg, not to beat a dead horse but are you aware that in addition to the thigh extensions, you can also adjust thigh support? I have not played with all of the adjustments but the dealer training guide indicates that extension and support are separate adjustments. If you had the extensions outward and the support in the softest setting, it could cause the feeling that you describe. Just a thought... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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