DecodedCars2020 Lincoln Continental
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2020 models.
- Class
- Large Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Sedan
- Engines
- 2.7L 6-cyl turbo, 3.7L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 305–400 hp
- Transmission
- 6-speed automatic
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 5
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 21 combined · 18 city / 27 hwy
- Length
- 201.6 in
- Curb weight
- 4,224 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 25 similar 2020 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2020 Lincoln Continental is a large car offered with 3 engines (2.7L 6-cyl turbo, 3.7L 6-cyl and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 202 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 118-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,224 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 21 MPG combined (18 city / 27 highway), 10% worse than the 2020 large car average of 23.3 MPG, for an estimated $3,200 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.
What changed for 2020
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2019 Continental — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2019; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2019 Continental →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Flat Rock, Michigan
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 4 2020 Continental configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan | 201.6 in | 75.2 in | 58.7 in | 117.7 in | 63.4 / 64.2 in | 4,224 lb | 59/41 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continental FWD | 2.7L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 27 / 21 | -10% | $3,200 | 424 |
| Continental AWD | 2.7L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | -14% | $3,350 | 452 |
| Continental FWD | 3.7L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | -14% | $3,350 | 440 |
| Continental AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 24 / 19 | -18% | $3,550 | 466 |
| Continental AWD | 3.7L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 24 / 19 | -18% | $3,550 | 462 |
| Continental Coach | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 24 / 19 | -18% | $3,550 | 478 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2020 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Lincoln Continental 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 10.6% |
| 2020 Lincoln Continental 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 10.6% |
Similar 2020 large cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Lincoln Continental (this car) | 21 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2020 BMW 5 Series | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2020 BMW 7 Series | 24 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Audi A6 | 27 MPG | ★★★★★ | 9 |
| 2020 Lexus LS | 28 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2020 Tesla Model S | 402 mi | Not rated | 11 |
| 2020 Lexus GS | 23 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Recalls (2)
Back Over Prevention › Software · Jun 27, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V442000 · 200,237 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
- Risk
- A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera · Aug 26, 2022
NHTSA campaign 22V644000 · 277,040 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2020 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental vehicles equipped with the 360-degree camera system. Degradation of the camera's anit-reflective lens coating can lead to a foggy or cloudy rearview camera image.
- Risk
- Lack of a clear rearview camera image can reduce the driver's visibility of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 14, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S51.
Not every 2020 Lincoln Continental is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2020 Lincoln Continental buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Back Over Prevention — 2 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
- Electrical System › Wiring › Rear Compartment/Trunk — 1 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Service Brakes — 1 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 5,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2020 Lincoln Continental. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Continental years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Continental | 21 | 201.6 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 33 |
| 2018 Continental | 21 | 201.6 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 21 |
| 2017 Continental | 21 | 201.6 in | Not rated | 4 | 75 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Lincoln. How we calculate this →