As bold as its new styling, the heavily freshened MKZ propels the midsize Lincoln from the middle of the pack to the front. Notable chassis, drivetrain and electronic improvements are found throughout.
Lincoln lovers are all "Mark" lovers these days as Ford's luxury division strives for a cohesive presentation of its lineup; hence, the similarly named, upcoming MKT utility vehicle, the flagship MKS sedan and this, the MKZ entry-level luxury sedan. Based on the well-regarded Ford Fusion platform, the MKZ has been a middle-of-the pack player — until now. For 2010, strong interior and exterior freshening plus a new 6-speed automatic transmission enter the most affordable Lincoln into the race for class supremacy.
Model Lineup
Offered strictly as a midsize, 4-door, 5-passenger sedan, the Lincoln MKZ comes in two flavors: front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. Both are available with the Sport Appearance Package, which has a stiffer suspension and cosmetic enhancements.
A cosmetic makeover brings the MKZ decisively into the modern Lincoln family. The car's new front end features a trademark Lincoln waterfall grille, making it a near-copy of the larger MKS. Also new are the rear decklid and LED taillights. In addition, the automaker has sprinkled chrome accents throughout; the bright stuff can be found on the door handles and elsewhere. Standard wheels are 17-by-7.5-inch painted and machined-finished 9-spokes with P225/50VR-17 all-season tires. A nearly identical chrome 17-inch wheel with the same tires is optional. A 10-spoke 18-inch polished aluminum wheel is standard with the Sport package and otherwise optional on non-Sport iterations.
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Besides the larger wheels, Sport versions boast body-color door handles, darkened headlights and a slightly different grille. Inside, contrasting piping on the leather seats, thicker floor mats and aluminum trim add some pizzazz, while outside, improved brake pads, larger sway bars and noticeably firmer shocks and springs enhance handling.
Under the Hood
While Lincoln has done little to change the 263-horsepower 4-cam 3.5-liter V6 engine from the previous generation, it has swapped out last year's 5-cog automatic transmission for a 6-speed automatic, which lops almost a half-second off the MKZ's sprint to 60 mph. It also delivers better fuel economy, which is rated at 18 mpg city/27 mpg highway using regular-grade gasoline.
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Understandably, there is no manual transmission option. The so-called Select-Shift computer control, however, works intelligently to provide smooth cruising or higher-rpm shifts when driving aggressively. The algorithms also hold gears between corners on mountain descents, a huge improvement over the somewhat arbitrary shift schedule in the previous MKZ.
Designed for inclement weather, the AWD MKZ automatically shuttles power to the rear tires when necessary, and sometimes a little before. This increases stability and driver confidence. Coupled with a host of computer stability controls, the AWD Lincoln promises fine winter-driving security.
To increase utility and ride comfort, Lincoln updated the suspension tuning, relocating the rear lower control arms and even tightening the turning circle by 3 feet. The power steering was also refined for better feel and easier parking.
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Inner Space
While the MKZ's exterior is substantially updated, the roomy interior is entirely new. Where the previous MKZ cabin was plain with a few ornaments, the new MKZ interior is authentic luxury cohesively executed. As Lincoln says, "the leather is leather and the aluminum is aluminum," not some vinyl or plastic copy. The design is less blocky and more organic to avoid the sleepy heaviness of some luxury cars. Since Lincoln MKZ purchasers are relatively youthful for the luxury market, and half come from brands other than Lincoln or Ford, the Blue Oval's luxury brand was eager to improve the MKZ's interior friendliness.
