2020 Lincoln Continental vs. BMW 7 Series: Can the Luxury Lincoln Beat the Bimmer?
The long-legged CD4 Lincoln Continental brought the American luxury car nameplate back from the dead in 2017. However, after Lincoln discontinued the Continental in 2020, there wasn’t anything in the brand’s sedan section to challenge the might of European mainstays like the BMW 7 Series. Still, is a comparably old 2020 BMW 7 Series, like the 740i, a better luxury option than the now-extinct 2020 Lincoln Continental? Or are you better off sticking with the Blue Oval’s posh used option?
How big is the Lincoln Continental compared to the BMW 7 Series?
The 2020 BMW 740i is longer, yet more narrow, than a comparable Lincoln Continental. Still, despite the extra length, the entry-level 740i outweighs the luxury Lincoln by a mere 20 lbs.
| Make and model | Length | Width | Curb weight |
| 2020 Lincoln Continental | 201.4 inches | 75.3 inches | 4,224 lbs |
| 2020 BMW 740i | 207.4 inches | 74.9 inches | 4,244 lbs |
As expected, the BMW offers an extra 1.5 cubic feet of cargo volume. So, fans who want limo-esque length and volumetric storage to brag about will have to opt for a used 7 Series over the last Lincoln Continental.
What is the price of a 2023 Lincoln Continental?
There is no 2023 Lincoln Continental, as the marque didn’t resurrect the nameplate after its 2020 discontinuation. However, fans can still get a 2020 model with average mileage for around $30,361.
| 2020 Continental trim level | Fair purchase price |
| Standard Trim | $30,361 |
| Reserve | $35,255 |
| Black Label | $46,502 |
Furthermore, the 2020 Lincoln Continental Black Label is comparably priced to the entry-level BMW 7 Series from the same era. That’s right; on average, a used Black Lable is less than $4,000 more than a base 2020 BMW 740i.
| 2020 7 Series trim level | Fair purchase price |
| 740i | $42,576 |
| 750i | $49,458 |
| M760i | $69,384 |
However, the BMW model’s average prices get much higher at the more premium trims. For instance, of the three standard, non-hybridized trims in the 7 Series lineup, KBB says the 602-horsepower twin-turbocharged M760i demands just under $70,000 for an example with average mileage.
Of course, the 7 Series is an entirely different level of opulence from the Continental; a step into the posh Bavarian sedan’s cabin removes all doubt. Pale colors and exquisite materials make every adventure feel as though it should conclude at Highclere Castle or somewhere else ending with the title “Manor.”
Conversely, the Continental is more workaday, with some fixtures that scream Fusion hand-me-down. However, fans might be surprised to learn that the 2020 BMW 7 Series went without Android Auto, a feature available at every Continental trim level.
Is a BMW 7 Series faster than a Lincoln Continental?
When new, a G11 BMW 740i managed to hit 60 mph in 4.8 seconds in Car and Driver’s testing. However, the range-topping M760i, with its volcanic V12 and xDrive platform, completed the sprint in 3.5 seconds. As a result, the 7 Series is faster than the 2020 Lincoln Continental, regardless of engine option.
The most potent arrow in the Continental’s quiver is the twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6, which produced 400 horsepower. That six-cylinder mill could launch the Continental to 60 mph in a commendable 5.0 seconds. It’s quick. But it’s not quick enough to contend with the big Bavarian.
Does Lincoln make a sedan in 2023?
After discontinuing the Continental and MKZ in 2020, Lincoln has no sedans in its lineup. Instead, the marque produces four luxury SUVs: the Aviator, Corsair, Navigator, and Nautilus.
As a result, fans who want a posh Lincoln to live up to the Frank Sinatra lyrics will have to buy a used Continental or MKZ. However, if you want something faster, more accommodating, and more luxe, the 7 Series is the better bet.
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