Vehicle 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.
(Skip to details on the: MKZ Hybrid)
New for 2012
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. Back to top
