2020 Lincoln Continental vs. Chrysler 300: AWD Luxury Car Showdown
The 2020 Lincoln Continental was the last year in the model’s tenure, barring a future resurrection by Ford and Lincoln. However, the Continental isn’t the only posh, domestic luxury sedan with a disappearing act; the Chrysler 300 will also ride off into the sunset after the 2023 model year. Still, both models offered grippy, all-wheel drive (AWD) options in their lineups, a feature that drivers in challenging climates tend to value. So, which AWD luxury car is the better bet, the 2020 Lincoln Continental or the Chrysler 300?
When was the last Lincoln Continental?
The 2020 Lincoln Continental was the final model year of the 10th-generation sedan on the Ford CD4 platform. Unfortunately for fans of the long-body luxury sedan, the marque hasn’t announced concrete plans to resurrect the nameplate.
Incidentally, this isn’t the first time consumers couldn’t order a Continental. For instance, the 10th-generation model arrived with a new lease on life after a 14-year hiatus. Still, the Continental’s discontinuation wasn’t an isolated incident; the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger are also on the way out after the 2023 model year. Consequently, 2024 will host no domestic sedans from Ford, Lincoln, Chrysler, or Dodge.
Which 2020 Lincoln Continental had AWD?
The 2020 Lincoln Continental has optional AWD with its twin-turbo 2.7L V6 and 3.7L V6 mills. However, fans of luxury sleeper sedans will want the twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6, an engine option only available with the reassuring AWD platform, per TrueCar.
Of course, the Continental isn’t the only late-model domestic sedan with grippy AWD; the LD-platform Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 offered optional AWD. Unlike the Continental, though, the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300-packed HEMI V8 options.
However, fans who want four-wheeled grip channeling the fury of a 5.7, 6.4, or supercharged 6.2L V8 better be ready to build it themselves. Instead, the 3.6L Pentastar V6 is the only option for a late-model AWD Mopar sedan.
How much horsepower does an AWD Chrysler 300 have?
The 2023 Chrysler 300 has two naturally aspirated (N/A) engine options: a 3.6L Pentastar V6 and a 5.7L HEMI V8. Of course, the 300’s AWD system is only available with the 300-horsepower V6. However, the most potent 300 model is the limited edition 300C.
| 3.6L Pentastar V6 | 292-300 horsepower |
| 5.7L HEMI V8 | 363 horsepower |
| 6.4L HEMI V8 (300C) | 485 horsepower |
Still, even with 363 and 485-horsepower V8 options, the RWD 2023 Chrysler 300S and 300C aren’t as commute-friendly as the AWD 400-horsepower twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6 Continental.
How big is the Chrysler 300?
The 2023 Chrysler 300 is a large sedan with similar dimensions to the Dodge Charger. However, the 300 is smaller and lighter than the 2020 Lincoln Continental.
| Make and model | Length | Width (without mirrors) | Weight |
| Chrysler 300 AWD | 198.6 inches | 75 inches | 4,267 lbs |
| Dodge Charger GT AWD | 198.4 inches | 75 inches | 4,205 lbs |
| Lincoln Continental AWD | 201.4 inches | 75.3 inches | 4,396 lbs |
While all three luxury vehicles fit into the large car segment, the Continental is longer, wider, and heavier than the Charger and 300 sedans. Furthermore, despite the Continental’s lengthier footprint, the Lincoln sedan has less than half an extra cubic foot of volume on the 300.
The now-discontinued Continental is larger, more spacious, and more powerful than a comparably AWD Chrysler 300. Which sure-footed luxury sedan would you choose? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
