20 MPG combined won’t thrill or deter most buyers of a 2018 Lincoln Continental FWD with the 3.7L V6. This car isn’t about saving fuel; it’s about understated luxury, space, and a smooth ride. Continental buyers want comfort and a relaxed driving experience, accepting that a large, classically styled sedan isn’t the most fuel-efficient choice.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates 17 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway. The 17 MPG city rating shows the engine working harder in stop-and-go traffic moving a large car. The 26 MPG highway figure is better, suggesting decent fuel economy on longer trips where the engine cruises efficiently. While the six-speed automatic transmission is smooth, a more modern design with more gears would likely improve highway economy.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2018 Lincoln Continental FWD 3.7L V6 at $2,200. This is based on 15,000 miles per year, a mix of city and highway driving, and national average fuel prices. Individual costs will vary with driving habits, local fuel prices, and city versus highway miles. Still, this gives a good comparison point when assessing total ownership cost.

Real-world expectations

EPA estimates are helpful, but real-world fuel economy varies. Drivers who accelerate quickly or drive mainly in cities may see numbers closer to the city rating. Those who frequently take long highway trips at consistent speeds may get closer to or even above 26 MPG. The Continental’s weight and conventional powertrain mean quick acceleration and hard braking will hurt fuel consumption.

How it compares

The 2018 Lincoln Continental’s fuel economy is similar to other large sedans with similar comfort and performance. For example, the front-wheel-drive Cadillac CT6 with its 2.0L turbo engine achieves a slightly better EPA combined rating of 24 MPG, but the CT6’s V6 engine is much closer to the Continental. The Chrysler 300 with the 3.6L V6 offers around 23 MPG combined, which is slightly better, but it’s also a less luxurious vehicle. The Genesis G80 with its base 3.8L V6 is rated similarly to the Continental around 20 MPG combined. While more fuel-efficient options exist, they often mean compromises in space, comfort, or performance. For those interested, there is CONTINENTAL MPG across all years.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Gentle acceleration makes a difference. The Continental’s V6 engine responds well to light pressure on the gas pedal. Avoid fast acceleration and hard braking; they waste fuel. Anticipate traffic to keep a steady speed.

Correct tire inflation is important for fuel efficiency. Check tire pressures and inflate them to the recommended levels on the driver’s side doorjamb. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, which increases fuel consumption. Many owners may also be interested in all Lincoln fuel economy data.

Reduce weight. Extra cargo in the trunk adds weight, making the engine work harder and burn more fuel. Remove unnecessary items.

Don’t idle unnecessarily. Idling wastes fuel. Turn off the engine if you’ll wait more than a minute. Modern engines restart quickly, and restarting uses less fuel than idling for a long time.

Consider using cruise control on the highway. Cruise control keeps a consistent speed, reducing fuel variations. But, don’t use it on hills, where it might downshift to maintain speed, canceling the fuel savings.