Refreshing or Revolting: 2017 Lincoln Continental

At the 2016 Detroit auto show, the production version of the 2017 Lincoln Continental debuted, and its styling didn’t stray far from the concept that was first shown at the 2015 New York auto show. Lincoln’s newest full-size luxury sedan is more upscale than the rest of its lineup and is poised to give the automaker’s image a makeover. Will the 2017 Continental help revitalize the Lincoln brand?

We have yet to drive the 2017 Lincoln Continental, but we can see how it compares in terms of styling to the MKS, which is the Lincoln brand’s current flagship sedan. The 2017 Continental’s exterior styling is a clear step above the MKS, and the new front fascia featuring Lincoln’s new grille and full LED headlights give the car presence and sophistication at night. In comparison, the MKS looks dated and the split wing grille makes the MKS’ front fascia more polarizing than the Continental when seen head on.

From the side, the Continental continues with the upscale theme thanks to a silhouette that’s reminiscent of modern full-size luxury sedans like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. One key element that sets the 2017 Continental apart, however, is its lack of door handles, which have been ditched in favor of E-latch releases that are integrated into the belt line for a clean side profile. The MKS, on the other hand, appears more conventional from the side with traditional door handles and a profile that’s noticeably less distinctive when compared to the Continental. Additionally, the MKS’ rounded, bubble-like roofline makes the car look less cohesive than the Continental.

The 2017 Continental’s rear end design continues with the upscale theme, featuring twin exhaust tips, and taillights that run the full width of the rear end. Like other cars with full-width taillights, the Continental appears wider, more massive, and distinctive when seen from the rear. Out back is where the MKS can’t hide its age because it looks plain and anonymous even with the giant chrome accent strip on the trunk that underlines the Lincoln name. The MKS’ C-shaped taillights also look disproportionate to the car’s entire rear end due to them being at the extreme edges of the body.

Inside is where the 2017 Lincoln Continental is a major step above in design, featuring real wood and metal trim, leather everywhere, and a simple dash layout with a large touchscreen serving as the centerpiece. Traditional analog gauges have also been ditched in favor of a TFT display, while a few buttons and knobs complement the touch-sensitive controls on the center stack. In comparison, the MKS retains the old center stack layout that’s dominated by touch-sensitive controls and doesn’t have a single traditional button or knob. However, the dash setup in the MKS looks dated, especially the instrument cluster, which look like it was pieced together straight out of the Ford parts bin. The MKS’ seats look flat, while the Continental’s Perfect Position front seats look like they’ll be able to satisfy even the most discerning of passengers and drivers.

Does Lincoln’s new flagship have what it takes to rejuvenate and elevate Lincoln’s image? Sound off in the comments below.

Last week’s Refreshing or Revolting featured the 2017 Infiniti Q60, and the opinions were mostly positive but some took issue with the car’s exterior styling.

“Probably the best looking vehicle Infiniti has put together.  Definitely refreshing,” said renata25.

“Very refreshing. It does look a little bit like an Audi up front, but that isn’t a bad thing,” said giallofly.

“Revolting. The exterior looks very busy. There’s a lot of swoops, dips, curves, and bulges pretty much everywhere, most of which are inharmonious,” said Lou_313.

“Revolting and disappointing design. The front grille reminds me of an ugly bulldog with a snout. The side looks bulbous and not sleek like the old G37 coupe. The kink in the window adds to the awkward design. And the interior looks like it came from the old Hyundai Sonata, so sad,” said Hasardo9090.

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