Performance

When it comes to classic luxury sedans, few vehicles have the cachet of a Lincoln. If you're shopping for a new car from the storied brand this year, here's what you need to know about the 2018 MKZ, a midsize sedan, and the 2018 Continental, an iconic large luxury car.

Drivers who opt for the MKZ can choose from three powertrain options: a 245-horsepower turbo-four paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, a twin-turbo V6 that gets 350 horses with standard front-wheel drive and 400 hp when paired with all-wheel drive, and a hybrid that gets 188 hp and boosts fuel economy to 41/38 city/highway miles per gallon compared with 21/31 city/highway mpg for the base engine.

The Continental has three available V6 engines, including a 305-hp version, a 335-hp turbocharged V6, and a twin-turbo with all-wheel drive that gets 400 horses.

Appearance

When the reissuing of the classic Continental in 2017 after several years off the market, it was promoted as a more significant sibling to the midsize MKZ. Despite this similar appearance, the luxe Continental has a more upscale interior than the finely-appointed best-selling MKZ. Both vehicles have roomy, comfortable cabins, though the Continental offers more headroom and legroom for passengers in the rear. The MKZ has more than 15 cubic feet of trunk space, above average for a midsize sedan, while the more extensive Continental has almost 17 cubic feet of space.

Features

The base model of the 2018 Lincoln MKZ has faux leather upholstery, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, and 10-way power-adjustable heated front seats. The Continental offers real leather and wood and metal accents throughout the cabin.

With the MKZ, you'll enjoy standard equipment like proximity key with push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, a rearview camera, and rear parking sensors. The Continental adds parking assistance and the MyKey system to the list.

Both vehicles have an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that comes with two USB ports, Bluetooth, and smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

When you're ready to compare the 2018 Lincoln MKZ and Continental in person stop by Camelback Lincoln to see our service-focused sales staff, they'll be happy to arrange your test drive of either or both of these magnificent vehicles.