Lincoln has released the starting MSRPÂ for its 2017 Continental, at $45,485. Since the Continental was announced for production, enthusiasts began to draw a natural rivalry with the Cadillac CT6 – the only other domestic luxury full size sedan on the market.
The MSRP of the 2017 Lincoln Continental undercuts the Cadillac CT6 by $9,000 ($54,490). That said, we’re not so sure if Cadillac should worry about the large FWD-based sedan that comes in heavier and features less powerful engines. With driving dynamics taking a backseat to plush comforts, let’s call the Lincoln the more “traditional” model of the two.
For the base model, the 2017 Lincoln Continental features standard  3.7L V6 engine has an output of 300 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. There is going to be an optional 3.0L EcoBoost V6 with a projected 400 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque for the Lincoln, as well. Other specs still remain mostly unavailable.
Meanwhile, the standard 2.0 LTG turbo for the CT6 makes 25 less horsepower (275), but 18 more lb-ft of torque (295) than the base Continental. The midrange 3.6L LGX V6 delivers 335 hp and 284 lb-ft, and the range-topping 3.0L LGW twin turbo V6 delivers 404 hp and 400 lb-ft.
There are plenty of other factors to take into consideration, but the aggressive Lincoln Continental pricing likely won’t be detrimental to CT6 sales, from our viewpoint. Yet it could perhaps challenge the Cadillac XTS for customers, which carries a price tag of $45,295 for the base model.
Comments
This could be crucial going forward.
Although the enthusiast crowd understands that the CT6 is a more premium product based on its premium platform, the general public will pit them directly against each other. The Continental will be perceived as a better value.
Cadillac should have either been even more aggressive in it pricing or offered even more luxury at that price point.
Time will tell but I suspect that the Continental will take the volume honors compared to it’s crosstown rival the CT6.
Cadillac should not worry about the Lincoln of what they are doing. I’m sure they are keeping an eye out on them like they are with its import competitors. However, the CT6 is way more advance structurally than the Continental and offer more technology than the Continental.
Depending on reviews and marketing, there is potential for higher volume sales for Continental if the car receives good reviews and Lincoln market it as a valuable alternative from Cadillac and the mid-size market.
Lincoln already admitted that they are going to go after mid-size luxury market while Cadillac is playing between markets of mid-size and full-size premium luxury.
I don’t know who’s positioning I like better but I am O.K. with Cadillac selling few CT6s than Lincoln selling more Continentals due to Lincoln’s lower pricing. But to be honest, although I am O.K. with fewer sales, I like to see CT6 lead in sales volume.
I agree that the CT6 is structurally and technolically superior not to mention expected driving dynamics.
It will be a low volume seller though. It has 2 major things going against it.
1)it’s pricing puts it in an area that Cadillac cars have not been in for some time and 2) midsize and large luxury sedan volumes are down 14% and 29% respectively so far this year so as a segment they are not doing well.
I think Cadillac would be happy with 2000 units a month sales in N.A.
The fact is GM is expecting smaller volumes of more expensive cars.
Any volume will be carried by the SUV segment.
Lincoln will go for the lower luxury market as they just don’t have the hardware. GM has Buick to do this already.
Care must be taken as Chrysler has tried the discount Luxury route and are not making much money on the 300 now that volumes have shrunk and the prices have been even more discounted.
At this point FCA has really said the are not expecting the 300 to be a Luxury segment car anymore moving into the future. This is why my inlaws now have a $32K 300. They are now just finding out you get what you pay for.
Ford is going to rely like Cadillac on making Fords more upscale and into Lincolns just as GM did for a long time with mixed results. They for sure will find buyers but will volumes keep up for the cheaper prices to make money. It is a tough way to make a luxury car and money. Making 8% is much tougher than making 20% and working much less.
Work smarter not harder.
The XTS was priced 10k more then the MKS and still out sold it despite being very similar mechanically, this is the same price difference but with much more reason for Cadillac to charge a premium.
Buick should match the Continental in pricing with the Avenir. Goodnight Lincoln.
The CT6 will, in all likelihood, win any direct comparisons handily.
That is just it. Buick and Lincoln are both in the Economy Luxury class here.
Cadillac is aiming to go after a image of being the standard others are measured by and you don’t do that by being the better discounted luxury car based on a lower class FWD based car.
People need to not confuse the two different segments and how Lincoln is not really in the segment that Cadillac is after yet. They could be but the Conti’s are much like the STS of the 90’s where it was a decent car at a decent price based on a lesser from Buick and Olds car.
From here on out I think you will start to see a greater difference between the Cadillac’s we have now and the ones we have in the future. The devil will be in the detail and there will be many details that will come about with each new model.
Lincoln will find their spot but they are not after the same people as if you can afford the premium luxury car you are not looking for the best value. You want the best car period.
People looking for Armani suits or Rolex watches don’t go to Walmart.
I agree, but if the upcoming Cadillac CUVs turn out the way the XT5 did, then that’s exactly what Cadillac is doing. After all, the XT5 is based on a FWD architecture, and undercuts the other midsized, 2-row CUVs by thousands dollars. Some reviewers even compared it to the MKX.
You see why the platform is so important?
First off you do realize that the XT5 is a product of Cadillac management almost two administrations ago.
Second you do realize it was not part of the funding of $12 Billion to build better cars moving into the future.
You can not judge Cadillac on the products out now as even the CT6 is not the product of the present management.
We will see some changes and then some refreshes for the next few years and in around 2020 we will see the first of their products that will be of JDN and the present management start to come out. It takes 5 years for full development and with what they are doing it will take a little time as they plan to even get into the engines etc.
The engineering will share some basic platforms but as we have seen already with the Alpha very little is shared other than hard points of the platform.
The Design staff and engineering staff at Cadillac will only work on Cadillac cars. No more engineers and designers working a few months on a Cadillac and then moving to a Chevy etc.
Lincoln for now is a bunch in inbreeding just as Cadillac has been, The fact Ford saved Lincoln is a start as they were set to die. New management is giving them half a chance but they need to commit more.
This is a process that will take time and investment. You have to earn your spot and like the present management has said the cars they have are good but need to be better.
Cadillac’s got a ways to go, seen them at the auto show. Made the mistake of checking out the Germans first. I like American cars more than anything but this website builds up the caddi too much. I was disappointed honestly. I know they perform well tho.
Ken I really don’t think the site is over the top on Cadillac. The truth is Cadillac is not the number one car in ever category but they are at least competitive for the first time in many areas. The new management is at work to resolve the issue still nagging them and GM has committed the money to make it right but it take time now that the new people have only been in and the money was only give just over a year and a half ago.
Now on the other hand what I find interesting is how the magazine are now seeing the Germans as they are today. They are finding that they are not just what they used to be either. They all have slipped accept for Audi.
When did you ever thing a M series car would be compared to a Camaro and lose? It was not that the Camaro was just a great car but it also had to do with the fact the BMW is not what it once was. It was not a car that was worth twice the money for the same performance. Saving $40k was more than worth the cheap plastic interior.
The fact is Cadillac and the Germans are closer now than ever. The Cadillac’s are getting better as the Germans have been on a decline.
This keeps up it will be very interesting in 5 years.
I’m just going off if what I seen with them sitting still, I’m not trying be smart. The Benz and Audi had them beat by a long shot as far as interior and visual looks.
Like I said I know they perform well, but day to day living I like the luxury of the Benz.
Not saying it can’t be done, but they got a long ways. Go check them out next year with an open mind.
Ken I agree that Cadillac is not all the way there as do the people in Charge of Cadillac do at this point. But they are at least in the room and competitive.
Continued work and investment will give them a chance to be ever bit as good or better. As it is now the Germans have been on a decline and only are getting more expensive with less to show for it.
As for what you like that is subjective just as what someone feels about BMW, Cadillac or even Audi. The fact is Cadillac is at least now competitive in the eyes of the critics and well on their way be more aggressive in making them even more than competitive. Their goal it to remove any doubt they can compete and win with even the subjective people.
To be the standard the others are held to they must set the standard and that is what they are working to do. They are not there yet but they are progressing in that direction.
As for Lincoln they are just trying to get back on their feet while they neglected for so long. Right now they are about where Cadillac was in the 90’s a good car got the money and budget minded luxury car buyer. That is where the issue is Budget minded and Luxury are a paradox and fight to prevent you from being the best.
The Continental is actually smaller then the CT6 by 5 inches in length. I got this info from a Lincoln rep at the auto show. Since for whatever reason Lincoln hard still not given out specs on the cars dimensions. Yea the only car that Cadillac has that should be worried is the XTS. The CT6 is so far advanced in almost every sector, its not even fair to compare it to the nice, but still old fashion Lincoln.
Car and driver’s comparison section has the continental against the cts and 5 series. Plus with 10k you pay for ct6 you are getting more. Rwd which leads to better driving dynamics and proportions. The fact the the continental also shares the same platform as the Ford Fusion is probably the reason for the large difference in price. The other thing the ct6 has over the continental is the interior. Save for the 30 way power seats( which are cool) there is nothing special about the continental interior. It looks too Ford-ish.
XTS and Lacrosse – are key competitors for Continental, not CT6
Agree with you in terms of the reality of the situation but as far as perception Lincoln is on par with Cadillac so the top sedans for each brand will be compared. Similar to the Escalade and Navigator.
and so the Lincoln should be compared to the Xts
Yes. The XTS is more comparable to the Continental. They are both based on FWD chassis and are based on more pedestrian models. The XTS shares the Impala chassis and the Continental began life as a Ford Fusion.
To think about it the resale of all Luxury cars is not great but the Lincoln will really take a hit like town cars did. A $60K will be in the $20’s and teens even faster than the Cadillacs and BMW.
I’m sorry but the quote “the Cadillac CT6 – the only other domestic luxury full size sedan on the market” is wrong. As many people have pointed out, the Chrysler 300 is still a competitor in this segment and a serious one at that. The CT6 is by far the best domestic car in this class and will continue getting better but it’s not the only other one.
The Chrysler 300 is not in the same class like the CT6 in engineering, status and price. Also, the car is a step below in size as well.
You forgot the Model S.
Comparing a Chrysler 300 to any full sized or midsized Cadillac is a bad Joke. Coming from a previous 300 owner to a current Cadillac owner/employee, the 300 is no where near the Cadillac in a quality aspect. People do not cross shop these cars, they move up to the Luxury cars from the premium cars.
The driving dynamics and feel of the Chrysler 300 does not match that of even a CTS based on my seat of the pants opinion.
You morons haven’t even seen the Lincoln in person much less driven it. But, you already have it pegged as not driving as well as the Caddy, etc. Really???
Have you compared the designs? No.
Did you help design or build it? No.
Maybe you are right. But don’t Monday morning quarterback a car you haven’t planted your butt in and talk about how this or that car will do better.
Heck, GM is still making pushrod motors. Don’t even go there.
Valid point that most of what is being said is speculation and conjecture that is all anyone has until both models are available. Still this site is mostly about opinion and there is nothing wrong with that.
Why are you knocking the pushrod motor? Tell me the advantages a DOHC design has over the pushrod especially in large vehicle applications?
Lincoln’s Continental may be cheaper and have a more powerful base engine; but one thing to remember is that Cadillac’s CT6 uses leading edge technology which makes it the lightest car in the segment at 3,657 lbs and given that the 2016 Lincoln MKZ weighs over 3,700 lbs, one has to think it’s going to take more than 25 horsepower to offset the weight. Everyone recognizes that Cadillac’s CT6 drives like a world class luxury sedan, no one has ever thought to compare a Lincoln MKZ to a BMW or Mercedes.
GM has already invested billions over 10 years to bring Cadillac to the point of the release of the new CT6. On the other hand, the new Continental is just the first meaningful car to come from Lincoln in a very long time. It should be a very good car, but we all realize that Cadillac has already made a substantial transformation of their brand, with a RWD focus.
The good news is that we are entering a new era for the American luxury brands. When we look at Luxury in home markets, in Germany, buying a German luxury brand is something to be proud of. In Japan, buying a Lexus is also something to be proud of. Living in America, buying an American luxury vehicle may, once again, be something to be proud of.
The mindset of foreign brand buyers in the U.S., for reasons of quality/style and performance, may be shifting.
I don’t understand the Continental vs. CT6 comparison everyone immediately jumps to. Is it because they both happen to be the top-tier sedan available from their respective brands? Lincoln themselves have stated the Continental is targeting the Audi A6 (source: AutoBlog article), which means the Cadillac CTS would be the proper vehicle to compare it to, as it competes in that same class. Not to mention there’s the XTS, which sounds exactly like the Continental when you start talking about it: a large, FWD-based sedan that starts in the vicinity of $46,000 with a standard naturally-aspirated V6 engine, with an available twin-turbo V6, available all-wheel drive, and can exceed $70,000. That’s a car Cadillac has been making since May of 2012 (source: Wikipedia). In a way, Cadillac did the Continental first. The Conti will probably win in a comparison because it’s quite a bit newer, and Cadillac would be completely daft to renew the XTS for another generation, so it’ll probably survive on small updates for the next couple years or so before it drives off into the sunset. Which brings us back to the CTS, which is what the Continental SHOULD be compared to, using Lincoln’s own logic. And the pricing structure matches up VERY well (see at bottom of post).
The CT6 is in a different class entirely anyway. It’s 8.5 inches longer than the CTS and is loaded with more technology and sophistication than any other American car I can think of, including the Continental. It has available rear-wheel steering, night vision, 360-degree cameras with a record function, 34-speaker Bose Panaray audio system and a 3,647lb base curb weight that undercuts even the Alpha-based 2016 Camaro SS by 38lbs despite being substantially larger and more content-rich. The CT6 doesn’t get enough credit for what it is, and it certainly doesn’t deserve the level of hate it gets from so many keyboard warriors online, most of whom haven’t the slightest clue what they’re talking about. The CT6 is actually quite a revolutionary car for America to make, considering we’re a country well-known for making extremely overweight land yachts that can’t turn corners very well. Now, a brand once very famous for doing just that, makes cars that are the lightest and best-handling in their respective classes, or among the best, and without a major sacrifice in ride quality thanks to Magnetic Ride Control. The CT6 is more expensive because it’s a better overall car. In fact, it’s truly remarkable the base price is as low as it is for what you get (though you admittedly don’t get a lot of the cool stuff). I don’t count on it selling more than the Lincoln, because the Continental is cheaper and riding a wave of nostalgic hype as a historic nameplate returns (precisely what the Camaro did when it came back for 2010. I don’t believe hype would have been nearly as high for 2010 had the Camaro never ceased production after 2002. It had a triumphant return.)
I get incredibly disturbed when I look at Cadillac’s Facebook posts and see people post pictures of big 80’s and 90’s Cadillacs and complain the brand isn’t making those anymore. Are you fucking serious?! Those vehicles ruined the Cadillac brand. You seriously want Cadillac to go back to making inefficient, powerless, low-quality, uncompetitive land yachts? For fucks sake! The Germans and Japanese came in and decimated the American brands. While they went on to make the E-Class, S-Class, 5-Series, 7-Series, LS, etc., we got cars like the DeVille and Town Car, the latter of which ended up just being the luxury variant of every cop car and taxi in America. And now, for the first time in DECADES, we have an American luxury brand that’s genuinely competitive against foreign product. We have the Cadillac CTS winning Motor Trend’s Car of the Year for 2014 and snagging a spot on Car and Driver’s 10-Best list for the last three straight years, with the last two years devoid of the CTS’s competition altogether. We have the Escalade Platinum eviscerating its entire field of competition in a recent Motor Trend comparison, the 200mph CTS-V super-sedan getting rave reviews, the new XT5 being very well-received and yes, even the CT6 has had a very positive reception from journalists. Some people want to throw ALL of this away so they can send Cadillac back to the malaise era. Fuck right off.
Is Cadillac perfect? No, of course not. They’re THREE model years into their product offensive against the Germans and Japanese. THREE. There’s much work to be done. The XTS needs to die, as it’s only 2-inches shorter than the CT6 but $10k less and FWD, and priced almost identically to the slightly smaller, RWD and better-in-every-way CTS. It’s robbing sales of both cars. Also, as much as I like Cadillac’s current design language (I think today’s Caddy’s are quite handsome), it’s just not good enough. Like a lot of people, I fell in love with the Ciel and Elmiraj concepts at first sight, and I hope to see that design language fully utilized in Caddy’s of the near future. However, I swear I heard Cadillac was going to soften its Art & Science design language, which is not exactly how I would describe the two concepts I mentioned. China is playing a role here, of course, so as always, damn them to hell! As for CUE, just make the damn thing more responsive. It should have smartphone-like reflexes, not the somewhat laggy experience we get today. Anyway, I guess I should wrap things up here, but I think Cadillac is only a few refinements away from perfect. The formula is definitely there, they just have to massage it. We should get a good picture of things over the next 5 years as they introduce 11 new products, but my very reasonable prediction is things will only get better from here. I, for one, am very proud of Cadillac today and what the brand has accomplished in such a short period of time. 10 years ago they were making the STS and DTS, two cars you couldn’t force me to buy brand new over something like a Mercedes. Today, I’m eager to buy a new Cadillac as soon as I get the chance. Cadillac is on the road to being truly great again like they were in the 50’s and 60’s, and I couldn’t be more excited.
Below is a pricing comparison between the Continental and Cadillac CTS, XTS and CT6, for anyone who may be interested. I got the Continental figures from an AutoBlog article discussing its pricing, and all Cadillac pricing was pulled from the brand’s website. Lists are in order by price.
___________________________________________________________________________
PRICING COMPARISON: 2017 CONTINENTAL vs. CADILLAC CTS, XTS & CT6
**2017 Lincoln Continental**
Premiere [3.7L V6]: $45,485
Premiere AWD [3.7L V6]: $47,485
Select: [3.7L V6] $48,440
Select AWD: [3.7L V6] $50,440
Select [2.7L TT V6]: $50,690
Select AWD [2.7L TT V6]: $52,690
Reserve [2.7L TT V6]: $54,840
Reserve AWD [2.7L TT V6]: $56,840
Reserve [3.0L TT V6]: $58,105
Reserve AWD [3.0L TT V6]: $60,105
Black Label [2.7L TT V6]: $63,840
Black Label AWD [2.7L TT V6]: $65,840
Black Label [3.0L TT V6]: $67,105
Black Label AWD[3.0L TT V6]: $69,105
**2016 Cadillac CTS**
Standard [2.0L T I4]: $46,555
Standard AWD [2.0L T I4]: $48,555
Luxury [2.0L T I4]: $52,280
Luxury [3.6L V6]: $54,280
Luxury AWD [2.0L T I4]: $54,280
Luxury AWD [3.6L V6]: $56,280
Performance [2.0L T I4]: $57,280
Performance [3.6L V6]: $59,280
Performance AWD [2.0L T I4]: $59,280
V-Sport [3.6L TT V6]: $60,950
Performance AWD [3.6L V6]: $61,280
Premium [2.0L T I4]: $61,680
Premium [3.6L V6]: $63,680
Premium AWD [2.0L T I4]: $63,680
Premium AWD [3.6L V6]: $65,680
V-Sport Premium [3.6L TT V6]: $70,950
**2016 Cadillac XTS**
Standard [3.6L V6]: $46,290
Luxury [3.6L V6]: $50,245
Luxury AWD [3.6L V6]: $52,245
Premium [3.6L V6]: $56,700
Premium AWD [3.6L V6]: $58,930
V-Sport Premium [3.6L TT V6]: $64,765
Platinum [3.6L V6]: $65,545
Platinum AWD [3.6L V6]: $67,775
V-Sport Platinum [3.6L TT V6]: $73,315
**2016 Cadillac CT6**
CT6 [2.0L T I4]: $54,490
CT6 AWD [3.6L V6]: $56,490
Luxury [2.0L T I4]: $59,390
Luxury AWD [3.6L V6]: $61,390
Premium Luxury AWD [3.6L V6]: $64,565
Luxury AWD [3.0L TT V6]: $65,390
Premium Luxury AWD [3.0L TT V6]: $68,565
Platinum AWD [3.6L V6]: $84,460
Platinum AWD [3.0L TT V6]: $88,460
That was a well put together post.
That rant made me happy, even nailing the weird obsession some people have with Caddys from the 80’s and 90s’. Have 1Up.
The two cars don’t compare. The Lincoln is a long wheelbase Fusion. It has great seats but when you see both of them live, they really don’t compare.
Buick can’t even come close to competing with the Lincoln. The ” flagship ” LaCrosse is way too small to compete in that class . Hopefully Buick will wake up and put the Avenir in production.
Not a Buick decision. Avenir production is a GM decision. Needs to have a viable business case before any hope of production.
sedans are dying…..I don’t think sedans are hot anymore…… if the Avenir and Elmeraj ware CUV/SUVs its a much better chance they will be built.
If Cadillac wants to stop the comparison of the Continental and CT6 it would be wise for them to start marketing the XTS as the alternative to the Lincoln . Not putting down the consumer , but many will see these two as the best from each division / company . And that price is what just might send the consumer to Lincoln .
The Continental is also China bound , but going after a completely different consumer . They are not into driving dynamics but an old style luxury car with the latest in technology . And it may do well in China for the people that are chauffered around and never even drive the car .
Here in the States Buick has never been a rival to Lincoln it has always been Cadillac . Buick is seen as the next best thing to a Caddy . And I don’t see that happening in China either . It’s a good thing though that China likes Buick or it would have been on the chopping block with Oldsmobile and Pontiac .
But no one knows just how good the Continental will be until it hits showrooms .
Like I said earlier GM can stop this comparison by starting to market the XTS as the alternative to the Continental .
This just might be another reason to keep the XTS longer than they had originally wanted . GM has done it before with other vehicles until there is something to sell above the CT6 .
The XTS is nothing but a FWD POS.
What makes the Continental any different then?
The Chrysler 300 looks like a turd on wheels….it so blocky and awkward.