Lincoln reintroduced the Continental in 2017 to considerable fanfare. For 2019, the Continental now includes new standard active safety features.

The Continental’s exterior features rounder lines and cleaner edges than most of Lincoln’s other recent designs. Touches such as standard HID headlights, LED daytime running lights and taillights, and integrated electronic door handles give the vehicle a premium look and feel.

Three engines are available, starting with a 3.7-liter 6-cylinder rated for 305 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Next is a twin-turbo 2.7-liter 6-cylinder yielding 335 hp and 380 lb-ft. Reserve and Black Label trims offer a twin-turbo 3.0-liter 6-cylinder that boasts 400 hp and 400 lb-ft. The engine pairs with a 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. While front-wheel drive (FWD) comes standard, all-wheel drive (AWD) is available. The most fuel-efficient engine is the 3.7-liter base engine with FWD, coming in at 18 mpg city, 27 highway, and 21 combined. The twin-turbo engine with FWD loses 1 mpg across the board. With AWD, both the 3.0-liter and 3.7-liter engines lose 2 mpg.

The two-row sedan comfortably seats five passengers. Standard features in the base trim, such as 10-way power-adjustable heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, ambient lighting, and wood trim, add an upscale feel. The Select trim adds 19-inch wheels, perforated leather upholstery, navigation, and a hands-free trunk. For features like tri-zone climate control, a 360-degree camera, and a head-up display (HUD) look to the Reserve. The most luxurious features are saved for the Black Label, such as Venetian leather seats and heated rear seats, with several interior packages available, including Chalet, Rhapsody Blue, and Thoroughbred, which include unique upholstery and trim combinations.

The Continental shares the Sync 3 infotainment system popular across the Ford lineup, housed in an 8-inch touchscreen display, with a 10-speaker audio system, satellite radio, and 4G LTE capability.

The 2019 Continental earns a 5-Star Overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the 2018 model gets a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Continental features a reversing camera, automatic emergency assistance, front and rear parking sensors, and the MyKey safety settings. New this year, all Continental models add adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Options include inflatable rear seat belts, pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning.

The swanky Continental offers plenty of customization options, making it a great luxury sedan. It goes up against the likes of the Cadillac CTS.