Lincoln MKZ reviews

2011 Lincoln MKZ Driving Impressions

The Lincoln MKZ is a smooth and quiet car, whether equipped with the V6 or the hybrid gas-electric powertrain.

The cabin of the Lincoln MKZ is conspicuously quiet with the V6 engine running, which helps create an atmosphere of sanctuary inside. Certain road surfaces bring a little more tire noise through than others, but the MKZ is an unusually quiet car, clearly on a par with the best when it comes to noise control. Ride quality was gracious and hospitable as befitting a luxury car. Parking in narrow spaces is easy, a benefit of the turning radius of the MKZ.

The available all-wheel drive is a tangible handling benefit. We felt it added to handling stability as we powered through corners on Southern California's winding Ortega Highway, with no apparent torque steer or sense of biasing from wheel to wheel. We found ourselves casually steering through 35 mph corners at 45 and 50 mpg.

The brakes are strong and progressive, perhaps a little touchy at the top of the pedal until you get used to it, but definitely have enough stopping power to create a secure sense of control. The car stays flat and composed when pushed into a corner, tracking cleanly along any reasonable line. Simultaneous braking and steering, as if correcting to shed speed on a surprise corner, did not upset the car. It was hard to generate tire noise, even with sharp steering inputs. The brakes on the MKZ Hybrid model felt normal.

The 3.5-liter V6 engine is paired well with the 6-speed transmission for responsive performance. The SelectShift feature allows manual gear changes. Using it, we found the upshifts crisp, and the car will continue pulling well through 6000 rpm. Downshifts were another matter because programming protects the engine from over-revving on heavy downshifts, so we found it harder to manage the car heading into corners in manual mode with the computer second-guessing our choices. Usually, we preferred to leave it in Drive. Driven as an automatic, the transmission responds well to throttle. We don't think we could get the car to go any faster shifting manually, but it does add to the fun factor.

The V6 makes peak torque at 4500 rpm, which is relatively high in the rev range, but again, the transmission applies the power so well it's generally possible to accelerate without effort. With gradual, progressive increase in throttle, the car builds speed without a downshift. Floor it, and you'll get a quick kick-down and, in the lower gears at least, brisk acceleration. Even though the car has well isolated acoustics, the intake song of the V6 at full throttle does come through to the cabin, and it is not entirely unpleasant to the sporting ear.

We found the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid cruised smoothly in stop-and-go traffic outside Washington, D.C. The system feels smooth and sophisticated, and it seamlessly switches from using the electric motor and the engine. We noted that on a cold morning, we were able to start the car and go back inside while it warmed up, the engine cycling on as needed to run the heater.

The Hybrid uses the same Ford-developed hybrid powertrain as the Ford Fusion. That means a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine coupled to an Aisin E-CVT transmission, an electric drive motor, a 275-volt nickel-metal-hydride propulsion battery, and regenerative braking. None of the MKZ's luxury trimming has been subtracted from the package for weight or complexity reasons. It's equipped exactly the same way as the gasoline MKZ, with the same option list, except for all-wheel-drive. It also means that the clever, easy-to-use digital display screens developed for the Ford hybrid have been carried over to the Lincoln, including a four-step driver assist system and the virtual leaves (and now flowers) that grow on the screen the more carefully you drive. Like the Fusion, the MKZ will drive on pure electric power up to 47 miles per hour, when the engine comes on automatically to assist or accelerate. Fuel economy for the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is an EPA-estimated 41 miles per gallon City, 36 mpg Highway. Lincoln says that makes it the most fuel-efficient car in the mid-luxury segment.

All of the major accessories in the Hybrid operate electrically, including the power steering, which has been tuned to be more like conventional hydraulic power steering. It shuts down completely at stop signs and traffic signals, and always starts on the electric motor unless the throttle is floored, which brings on the Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine. The battery and fuel economy gauges on the left and the virtual leaves on the right that grow and turn into apple blossoms are very entertaining to watch.

We found the MKZ Hybrid a delight to drive, quiet, efficient, and for the most part transparent. There are no violent noises or clunks when the gasoline engine goes on or off, and full-throttle acceleration with both the electric motor and the gasoline engine working together is smooth and solid, but not exhilarating (Ford rates the combined power at 191 horsepower, well down from the V-6 engine). What is exhilarating is watching the mileage meter and getting the long-term fuel economy gains that a city-dwelling commuter will be able to get at 41 mpg.

The Blind Spot Information System is a safety features that uses radar sensors to sweep the roadway to the side and rear of the car. If you're moving into an object in your blind spot, a red indicator light on the outside of the side mirrors comes on and a warning tone sounds. It's sometimes beneficial on the highway, or during heavy commuting. On narrow roads, it's sometimes better to switch it off to avoid false alarms. A side benefit of this new technology is that the radar can also warn against backing into cross traffic. When the car is in Reverse, the radar tracks up to 65 feet on either side of the vehicle and warns the driver with audible alerts. The navigation system comes with a rearview camera, which is an excellent safety device.