The only surviving luxury brand from Blue Oval’s portfolio has been holding firm in terms of U.S. sales for years now with a little over 100,000 units sold annually. 103,587 units sold during 2018 might be a downturn compared to the 111,159 models marketed in 2017, but it’s still an increase over the post-recession years when the brand had been marketing roughly 80,000 units a year. The complete nomenclature overhaul of the Lincoln lineup that’s in place these days has a goal of providing a new swagger for the brand – one that’ll hopefully yield better results going forward. Furthermore, a flirt with the brand’s illustrious past has seen a limited $100,000 Lincoln Continental Coach Edition sold off the moment it was announced. Although only limited to 80 units (commemorating the nameplate’s 80th anniversary), the special edition is slated to return for another spin in 2020. Speaking of which, here we’ll take a look at what the 2020 Lincoln models will have to offer.
It’s also worth noting that company’s global sales have been on a constant rise in recent years, with the Chinese market being particularly open-minded towards the venerable American luxury brand. Although the Chinese market sales recorded a 66 percent growth in 2017 (with 54,124 units sold), total global sales of 188,383 units for the year clearly states that two-thirds of all Lincoln models are still being sold at home. This trend might not remain in place for long, however. Especially if the Ford luxury division keeps up with recent overhauls which have seen the new high-end Navigator SUV become a highly-desired commodity.
Let’s finally take a look at how the company’s plans are shaping up for MY 2020. You might also want to brush up on your knowledge of some of the most powerful American luxury cars.
What’s Hot in the New 2020 Lincoln Lineup
05. 2020 Continental 80th Anniversary Coach Door Edition
Returning from a 15-year long hiatus in late 2016, the Continental again took the vaunted flagship sedan spot in the Lincoln range. It didn’t take the brand long to spice things up as the limited 80th-anniversary edition arrived only two and a half years later – this time, complete with the original Continental’s suicide doors.
Since the entire collection of just 80 Coach-Door Edition units has already been spoken for, the company has decided to offer another batch for MY 2020. Their numbers will be limited as well, but there’s still no official info about the exact figure. Sadly, orders were only open during October of 2019 and you won’t get another shot at the luxury sedan if you’ve missed this window.
Apart from a unique door design that’s highly uncommon nowadays, the special edition Continental boasts an additional six inches of wheelbase for greater rear seat comfort. Speaking of which, rear seat passengers also enjoy an expanded center console complete with wireless phone charging technology that effectively creates the feel of an isolated captain’s chair arrangement with the perks of a center divider.
The initial group was exclusively limited to Chalet and Thoroughbred interior colors with any Black Label exterior paint available. The 2020-year models are also based on the Black Label edition models and are available in Infinite Black, Pristine White Metallic, Chroma Crystal Blue.
Every Lincoln Continental 80th Anniversary unit is powered by a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 mill capable of procuring 400 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is mandatory as well, and so is an all-wheel drive setup.
Although all components were manufactured in house, the special edition models were actually assembled outside, by the Boston-based coach-builder Cabot. This is where the center tunnel stretching from bow to stern comes as well.
Their hefty initial price tag of $110,000 was further increased to $116,465 in 2020. This makes them the most expensive Lincoln models to date.
04. 2020 Navigator
Fully revised for MY 2018, the full-size luxury SUV is quickly becoming one of company’s most important models. Its sales soared by almost 70 percent immediately after the generation shift, reaching the 17,839 units total at the end of 2018.
Available in both the regular and long-wheelbase Navigator L guises, the body-0n-frame luxury SUV offers seats for as many as eight people with plenty of space for third row passengers. Apart from being spacious, the Navigator is also serene, luxurious, and well-appointed. Furthermore, it offers above-average towing rates and surprisingly quick acceleration for a vehicle of that size and weight.
All this comes at a price though, as base Navigators start from $74,000, while the cheapest Navigator L costs more than $81,500. The range-topping Black Label models, on the other hand, start from north of $97,000 and $100,000 respectively. At least a wireless charging pad, and heated and ventilated front seats are now standard from the get-go, and so is the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 bundle of driver’s aids which includes blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, pedestrian detection, and more. Adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking are also standard as of 2020.
A single engine does all the work in and around the Lincoln Navigator, but as already said, it does it admirably. A 3.5L twin-turbo V6 shared with the Ford Expedition makes 450 horses and a whopping 510 pound-feet of twist here – a full 50 horsepower and 30 lb-ft more than it makes in Ford’s full-sizer. Thanks to that, the luxury SUV is capable of towing up to 8,700 pounds if outfitted properly. The Navigator’s 10-speed automatic gearbox works like a charm and downshifts without any fuss.
Tipping the scales at north of 6,000 pounds, however, it’s not surprising that the Navigator guzzles fuel like there’s no tomorrow. Rated at 19 miles to the gallon combined at best (short-wheelbase model with rear-wheel drive), Lincoln’s full-size SUV is among the thirstiest vehicles on the market at the moment. What’s more, the longer wheelbase coupled with all-wheel drive imposes an additional one point penalty to what’s an already low fuel economy figure.
03. 2020 Nautilus
A name change was only one of important revisions made to the MKX/Nautilus mid-size crossover. New models also adopt company’s fresh design language alongside the new nomenclature.
The second-generation MKX has helped the nameplate surpass 30,000 sales in the U.S. for two consecutive years in 2016 and 2017. The Nautilus, surprisingly, reverted back to the high twenty-thousands in 2018 with exactly 28,573 models sold. It has to be said that the mid-sizer didn’t enjoy a full model year in its new skin, however.
The new Nautilus now sports more tech and certainly improves over the outgoing model but underneath, it’s still a plushier Ford Edge. Prices range from around $42,000 to $65,000, and despite a handsome exterior, Nautilus still retains some unwanted hard plastics inside. Yet, forward-collision warnings, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, and active lane control are all standard across the board, and that’s always a plus.
The Nautilus’ heart is arguably its strongest suit, and there are actually two of them. The base 2.0L turbo four is capable of making 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, and already offers adequate power for seamless acceleration. An optional 2.7L twin-turbo V6 raises that to another level by providing 335 ponies and 380 lb-ft of rotational force. Both engines are paired with contemporary 8-speed automatics, and can be ordered in both a front and all-wheel drive.
Smooth ride and great noise cancellation are another one of its strong points (as they should be considering the fact Nautilus carries a premium badge and price tag), but don’t expect any excitement from it. Handling is dull and uninspiring, but then again, mid-size luxury crossovers aren’t intended to be fun anyway.
02. 2020 Corsair
The compact Ford Escape-derived luxury crossover was one of the last few remaining Lincoln vehicles without a proper name prior to 2019. That’s finally changed after the Lincoln MKC went through a full makeover for MY 2020.
The new model is now branded Corsair, and adopts the company’s next-gen styling. To be fair, the MKC itself was treated with a more contemporary frontal fascia in late 2018 but that was only a temporary solution. Still, the 2020 Lincoln Corsair doesn’t differ that much from the refreshed MKC.
Apart from a new rectangular grille shape, the new models have adopted different headlights, tail-lights, and bumper arrangements. The Ford Escape roots are still noticeable, but the Lincoln badge itself and everything that comes with it clearly differentiate the Corsair from its non-premium stablemate. Goodies like a forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking are standard alongside a few other contemporary driver aids and integration systems.
Starting prices have remained mostly in place with Corsair ranging from around $36,000 to just around $60,000. The higher end of the price scale has been expanded by around $10,000, however – courtesy of the all-new Reserve Package II trim level.
The next-gen Lincoln Corsair retains the MKC’s latest selection of powertrains. A base 250-horsepower 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder should do the trick for most buyers, but those in need of even more power in a compact crossover will have an option to choose a 2.3L turbo four with 280 ponies.
It’s so rare for a crossover to be overpowered nowadays, but there you have it. The optional Corsair engine is certainly that, and can be lots of fun along the way. What’s more, it comes with a mandatory all-wheel-drive system and adaptive suspension, where the base option offers a choice between front and all-wheel drive. The only downside is the fact it’s exclusively offered with the aforementioned top-of-the-line package.
As of 2020, every single Lincoln Corsair sports a contemporary 8-speed automatic gearbox.
01. 2020 Aviator
The all-new 2020 Lincoln Aviator slots near the top of the Lincoln SUV range, but still below the three-row Navigator. This makes it a spiritual successor to the old Aviator which the premium Blue Oval division had briefly marketed between 2003 and 2005.
The new car arrives at a much more opportune time for crossovers and is expected to be much more successful than its distant predecessor. The base models start from around $52,000, while the top-range Black Label models warrant a much heftier price tag of almost $90,000.
In order to justify their exorbitant prices, the range-topping Aviators are fitted with 28-speaker Revel audio systems and 30-way power seats with ventilation and massage functions among others. They also sport a host of advanced safety gear and top class materials, together with adaptive suspension with 12 sensors and the new “road preview” feature which scans for bumps and potholes up to 50 feet ahead.
Company’s new three-row crossover is also available in the PHEV form which costs even more to begin with.
The mentioned plug-in hybrid Lincoln Aviator adopts the Grand Touring badge and pairs the conventional model’s 3.0L twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor and a battery pack. Instead of 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque that regular models make, the GT hybrid generates 494 horses and a whopping 630 lb-ft of twist.
Expected fuel economy still hasn’t been disclosed but the new Lincoln offers up to 18 miles of all-electric range. Moreover, the PHEV allows deployment of electric range at your own convenience.
Another neat trick is the all-new Phone As A Key feature which converts your smartphone into your Aviator’s key. Of course, physical keys are issued as well.
What’s Not in the New 2020 Lincoln Lineup
02. 2020 MKZ
The Blue Oval’s decision to scrap all passenger cars except the iconic Mustang is already having an impact on their fortunes as their SUVs and crossovers, pickup trucks, and even panel vans have all recorded a growth in sales during 2018. However, this decision will also have an impact on the Lincoln division which currently fields the Continental and MKZ.
With the former pretty much secure, it’s the Fusion-based MKZ that’ll likely get the ax. The second-generation MKZ received its last update in 2017 and this announcement comes just in time. Before the mid-size luxury sedan gets killed off, however, the Lincoln brand will give it one last opportunity to shine in 2020. With its U.S. sales plummeting below the 20,000 mark in 2018, however, it’s probably unrealistic to expect they’ll shift any major funds towards sedan’s way. They even decided against fielding a special farewell edition.
The Lincoln MKZ carries over into 2020 with the same powertrain choices it’s sported until now. Its base 2.0L turbo four lacks the grunt expected from a luxury intermediate sedan but still does an admirable job thanks to 245 horses and 275 pound-feet of torque.
A plug-in hybrid option pairs a naturally aspirated version of a 2.0L 4-cylinder with dual electric motors and a lithium-ion battery pack for a total of 188 horsepower and around 40 mpg combined.
Finally, the range-topping models offer a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 mill which comes in two different sets of tunes. Opt for a front-wheel drive model and you’ll get 350 horses, but chose an optional all-wheel drive and your MKZ will squeeze as much as 400 ponies out of the 3.0L EcoBoost V6. While the conventional models still cling to a 6-speed automatic, the MKZ hybrid makes do with a CVT gearbox.
01. 2020 MKT
The venerable MKT is the last Lincoln car clinging to both the old nomenclature and split-grille design from the last decade. With the recent introduction of the all-new Aviator, the MKT ceases to be a relevant choice in the mid-size crossover/SUV segment. At least when it comes to Lincoln.
Before it goes into retirement, Lincoln faithful will be given the opportunity to order one of the remaining models at prices that’ll likely be lower than those currently imposed. At the time, the base MKT goes for just over $50,000, while the Reserve models cost a little over $53,000. You’ll notice there is no Black Label here, which is exclusively reserved for Lincoln models with real future in company’s portfolio.
Despite its numerous shortcomings (mostly stemming form its aging design), the Lincoln MKT still does an admirable job in carrying three rows of passengers from point A to point B. This is the main reason Blue Oval decided to keep it around as it’s expected to remain one of the top choices for fleet buyers for a while yet.
There are two engines to choose from and one of them further highlights the MKT’s old age. Its base 3.7L naturally aspirated V6 with 303 horsepower is only being used in the Continental and Ford Transit van – at least when production models are concerned.
There’s a more contemporary option, however, which also throws in a mandatory all-wheel drive. A 3.5L twin-turbo V6 cranks up 365 horsepower and provides the venerable SUV with ample power to tow up to 4,500 pounds of trailer.
Only 2,324 units have been sold throughout 2018 which is the MKT’s worst result since its inception back in 2009. This figure will only dwindle further as the aged SUV’s demise keeps on creeping closer and closer. This is simply how the natural selection works – even in the automotive world.
