LINCOLN MKZ
View 2012 Information
Vehicle Overview
The 2013 Lincoln MKZ is the brand's first model using a new strategy to inject more luxury into its products. As a result, the MKZ has unique features and styling that make it a significant departure from the previous model. The MKZ faces competition from the Acura TL, Infiniti G Series and BMW 3 Series.
Exterior
The MKZ's front is restyled with a "split-wing grille," as Lincoln calls it, designed to emulate an eagle's spread wings. The rear styling is a much more drastic departure from current Lincoln products with its sweeping rear roofline and laid-back windshield to help the MKZ slip through the air. Exterior features include:
- LED headlamps
- Adaptive headlights
- LED taillights
- Available retracting panoramic roof
Interior
Inside the 2013 MKZ are numerous display screens to make use of the standard MyLincoln Touch and Sync multimedia systems. A 10.1-inch LCD instrument cluster in front of the driver is customizable, and an 8-inch screen in the center dashboard is the main control area for the multimedia, navigation and climate systems. Selecting gears happens by pushing a button on the MKZ's center stack, which frees up room below the center console for a large storage area with multiple levels. Interior features include:
- Sync and MyLincoln Touch
- Leather seating
- Heated front seats
- Available backup camera
- Available navigation
- Available cooled front seats
- Available heated rear seats and steering wheel
- Available adaptive cruise control
- Available parking assist
Under the Hood
One of the only ways to tell that the MKZ shares its underpinnings with the 2013 Ford Fusion is the powertrain options. The base engine is a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while an optional V-6 is more potent than the previous MKZ. The MKZ offers Lincoln Drive Control standard, which tailors the driving experience for different modes, including Sport, Normal and Comfort. The feature changes suspension firmness, power-steering assist, plus engine and transmission characteristics. Mechanical features include:
- Standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder is estimated to make 240 horsepower
- Optional 300-hp, 3.7-liter six-cylinder
- Front-wheel drive
- Available all-wheel drive with four- and six-cylinder engines
- Six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters
- Standard Lincoln Drive Control
Safety
Among the MKZ's optional features are inflatable rear safety belts. Located on the outboard seating positions only, Lincoln says the class-exclusive option distributes the force of an impact more than a conventional seat belt to reduce head, chest and neck injuries. Safety features include:
- Eight airbags
- Electronic stability system
- Available lane departure warning
- Available inflatable rear seat belts
- Available blind spot monitoring
MKZ Hybrid
Lincoln promises the next-generation MKZ Hybrid will be the most fuel-efficient premium sedan. Lincoln MKZ Hybrid features include:
- Front-wheel drive
- 141-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine
- 47-hp electric motor for a combined 188-hp
- Continuously variable automatic transmission
- Similar standard and optional features as non-hybrid MKZ
2012 LINCOLN MKZ
Overview
Related to the Ford Fusion and Ford Fusion Hybrid, the five-seat MKZ and MKZ Hybrid compete with entry-level luxury cars like the Acura TL and Lexus ES 350. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive optional. Newly available Sync AppLink provides voice control of select smartphone applications.
Exterior
Exterior features include:
- Standard 17-inch alloy wheels
- Sport Appearance Package includes 18-inch wheels, unique grille and darker headlights
- Acoustic laminated windshield for noise reduction
Interior
Like the bigger MKS, the MKZ comes with genuine wood trim and upscale leather. The optional navigation system features Sirius Travel Link, which can track, among other things, nearby movie listings, weather forecasts and gas stations with regularly updated fuel prices. Interior features include:
- Standard heated and cooled front seats with 10-way power adjustments
- Standard Sync communication system
- Optional moonroof
- MyKey programmable system that limits speed
- Ambient interior lighting with five color schemes
- Optional THX-certified surround-sound stereo with 14 speakers
Under the Hood
The 263-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 teams with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard front-wheel drive. LINCOLN says the zero-to-60-mph acceleration time is 7.1 seconds. Mechanical features include:
- Optional all-wheel drive
- Optional Sport Appearance Package includes sport-tuned suspension
Safety
Four-wheel-disc antilock brakes, traction control and an electronic stability system are standard. The MKZ's six standard airbags include side-impact airbags for the front seats and side curtain airbags for both rows. Other safety features include:
- SOS Post-Crash Alert flashes lights and sounds horn
- Optional blind spot warning system
- Optional backup camera
MKZ Hybrid
LINCOLN's first hybrid is also the first midsize, front-wheel-drive hybrid sedan from a luxury automaker. The MKZ Hybrid's drivetrain technology should look familiar, as the car is related to the Ford Fusion Hybrid, but a number of luxury touches are added. It gets an EPA-estimated 41/36 mpg city/highway.
Like the Fusion Hybrid, the MKZ Hybrid doesn't do much to advertise itself as a hybrid. Hybrid badges appear on the front doors and trunk lid, but without them, this sedan could easily be mistaken for a regular MKZ, with its large twin-port grille and wide LED taillights.
The MKZ Hybrid is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine and an electric motor that make a combined 191 hp. As with the Fusion Hybrid, Ford says the MKZ Hybrid can travel up to 47 mph on electric power alone.
Perhaps more significant than the maximum electric-only cruising speed is the MKZ Hybrid's SmartGauge with EcoGuide technology, which can help the driver drive more efficiently. Whereas the instrument panel on the Fusion Hybrid uses green vines that "grow" larger the more efficiently you drive, the MKZ Hybrid adds to that with white flowers that "blossom" with long-term efficient driving.
Standard luxury features include Bridge of Weir leather upholstery, heated and cooled front seats, a memory feature for the driver's seat and real wood trim.