hamburger icon

2018 Lincoln MKZ

Change vehicle or year
Select a Year - Lincoln MKZ
OR
Change Vehicle
Make
Lincoln
Model
MKZ
Year
2018
GO
Lincoln MKZ OEM Exterior Primary Photo
OEM Interior Primary
OEM Exterior
OEM Exterior
OEM Interior
Photos Colors
Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2018 Premiere 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Sedan
most popular
Price:   -  From $35,605
2018 Select 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Sedan Price:   -  From $37,355
2018 Premiere 4dr All-Wheel Drive Sedan Price:   -  From $37,495
2018 Select 4dr All-Wheel Drive Sedan Price:   -  From $39,245
2018 Reserve 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Sedan Price:   -  From $40,170
2018 Reserve 4dr All-Wheel Drive Sedan Price:   -  From $42,060
2018 Black Label 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Sedan Price:   -  From $47,990
2018 Black Label 4dr All-Wheel Drive Sedan Price:   -  From $49,880

Overview

The Lincoln MKZ may be built on the same platform as the Ford Fusion, but the sedan’s striking sheet metal, serene cabin, and upscale features make Lincoln’s sedan more in-line with offerings from German rivals. The American sedan’s healthy amount of driver-assistance features is also impressive, as are the MKZ’s powertrains, which range from fuel-efficient to muscular. Consumers looking for a luxurious, comfortable sedan will find a lot to like with the 2018 Lincoln MKZ.

What's New for 2018

Besides the addition of four new paint schemes, the MKZ enters the new model year without any significant changes.

Lincoln MKZ

Choosing Your Lincoln MKZ

The MKZ is available with two gasoline-powered engine options (the MKZ Hybrid is covered separately). The base engine option is a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine that’s paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. The engine produces 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. Drivetrain options for the 2.0-liter engine include front-wheel drive as standard and all-wheel drive as a $1,900 option.

The next step up is a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 motor that generates 350 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque for front-wheel-drive models and 400 hp for all-wheel-drive variants. The engine is matched to a six-speed automatic gearbox.

Understandably, the MKZ with the turbocharged four-cylinder and front-wheel drive is the most fuel-efficient of the bunch, capable of getting 21 miles per gallon in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. Opting for the twin-turbo V6 brings fuel-economy figures down to 18 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway for front-wheel-drive models.

The MKZ is available in three models, as well as with a Black Label equipment group.

Lincoln MKZ

Premiere

The Premiere starts at $36,530 (including the $925 destination charge) for the front-wheel-drive variant, while all-wheel drive bumps the price up to $38,420. Standard exterior features on the Premiere trim include: 18-inch, five-spoke aluminum wheels, chrome exhaust tips, adaptive HID headlights, heated exterior mirrors, and LED taillights.

On the inside, the base MKZ features 10-way heated power front seats, Sync 3, an 11-speaker audio system, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, dual-zone automatic temperature control, a 10.1-inch LCD gauge cluster, Active Noise Control, and 10 cup holders.

The only available package for the Premiere trim includes the MKZ Magnetic Appearance Package ($1,195) that adds 19-inch, 10-spoke machined-aluminum wheels, a painted upper grille, and aluminum foot pedal covers.

Lincoln MKZ

Select

The next trim level up is the Select that costs $39,425. The Select trim shares the same exterior features as the Premiere, but adds a lot more standard features on the inside. On the inside, the Select trim features leather-trimmed seats, genuine wood trim, ambient lighting, a power tilt/telescoping steering column with a memory setting, and a remote trunk lid release.

The MKZ Technology Package ($2,495) is one of the available packages for the Select trim and adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, pre-collision assist, pedestrian detection, an enhanced active park assist system, lane keeping assist, a forward sensing system, auto high beam headlights, and rain-sensing wipers. The MKZ Climate Package ($595) brings a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and rain-sensing wipers to the sedan.

The MKZ Magnetic Appearance Package is also available for the Select trim and adds the same features as on the lower Premiere model, but is priced differently at $1,050.

Lincoln MKZ

Reserve

The Reserve trim has a starting price tag of $41,095. On the outside, the trim brings 19-inch, 20-spoke aluminum wheels over lower trims. The interior gets perforated leather-trimmed seats, a voice-activated navigation system, and an embedded modem as standard.

The Reserve trim shares a lot of the same available packages as the Select model, but adds the Luxury Package ($2,995) into the mix that includes premium LED headlights and a 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system.

Lincoln MKZ

Black Label

The Black Label is the most luxurious MKZ available and costs $48,915. The trim comes with three different themes – Chalet, Thoroughbred, and Vineyard – that change the color of the dashboard, seats, trim pieces, and patterns throughout the interior. The Black Label builds off of the Reserve’s standard features and adds 19-inch machined aluminum wheels, a 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system, a power rear sunshade, a heated steering wheel, and rear inflatable seatbelts as standard.

The Black Label has the same available packages as the Select trim.

CarsDirect Tip

Opting for the more powerful twin-turbo V6 engine locks consumers into either the Reserve or the Black Label trim, which is a bummer, but the V6 engine, especially with all-wheel drive, fits the character of the luxury sedan more. The MKZ Technology Package is pricey, but adds a suite of tech features that should make the journey more enjoyable. For drivers that enjoy an abundance of natural sunlight coming into the vehicle, the $2,995 retractable panoramic glass roof is a standalone option that should be explored.

Get your price on a Lincoln MKZ »

author image
Automotive Editor
Read Less

Expert Review

Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Contributing Writer

A comfortable and sedate luxury sedan, the 2018 Lincoln MKZ wears conservative sheet metal that'd make Brooks Brothers proud. But it's held back by a base engine that lacks refinement, pricey active safety features, and an interior that can't hide its middle-class roots.

Best Value

Pricing for 2018 MKZ models ranges from $36,530 for a front-wheel-drive Premier model equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine to over $63,000 for an optioned-up all-wheel-drive version in Black Label trim with a 3.0-liter V6 under the hood. Select and Reserve models are the 'tweeners, and all four trims can be had in front- or all-wheel drive, with the V6 engine available in Select and above trims.

We'd skip the Premiere and opt for the Select model that adds navigation, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, real leather and wood trim, a power steering column with memory, and auto-folding outside mirrors (auto-dimming on the driver's side). It's also the entry model with access to advanced active safety systems.

  • Model: 2018 Lincoln MKZ Select
  • Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder
  • Output: 245 hp / 275 lb-ft
  • Transmission:Six-speed automatic
  • Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
  • MPG: 20 City / 28 Hwy
  • Options: MKZ Technology Package ($2,495, adaptive cruise control, park assist, lane keeping assist, pre-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rain-sensing wipers, automatic high beams, windshield wiper de-icer), Single Panel Moonroof ($1,200).
  • Base Price:$39,425 (including the $925 destination charge)
  • Best Value Price:$43,120

Performance

Lincoln MKZ

The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder offers brisk acceleration, while the twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 is even more impressive – producing 350 horsepower in FWD models and 400 hp when ordered with all-wheel drive. Rounding things out is a nicely-weighted, electrically-assisted power steering system and an adaptive suspension that's tuned for a smooth and relaxed ride.

Holding things back is a chassis that – even harnessed with a 400-hp V6 and the suspension-firming Driver's Package – would rather spend the day cruising at highway speeds than carving back road corners. At the same time, of the three suspension settings (Normal, Comfort, and Sport), Sport mode feels the most natural, while the chassis struggles to compose itself in the overly soft Normal and Comfort settings.

Style

The MKZ is a smart-looking and conservative grey pinstripe suit conveyed to sheetmetal; last year's refresh – and its Continental-inspired grille – only makes things better. The near-liftback body is wrapped around an interior that boasts of comfortable front seats, respectable room in back, and 15.4 cubic feett of cargo space in the trunk.

Select and above trims are treated to leather seats and real wood trim, while Black Label buyers can choose from upgraded leather and materials in Chalet, Thoroughbred, and Vineyard themes.

The interior, however, is also the MKZ's biggest weakness. It's most apparent in the Premier model's plethora of matte plastic and synthetic leather. Despite a lofty price tag, even the Black Label – with its softer leathers and exotic materials – is unable to disguise its middle-class Fusion roots.

The Best and Worst Things

The MKZ's appealingly crisp and conservative exterior is undone by an interior that falls short of its luxury mission.

Right For? Wrong For?

Lincoln MKZ

The MKZ's taut, conservative design should appeal to style-conscious buyers.

At the same time, having to spend nearly $4,000 for advanced features that are standard on many competitors could prove to be a turn off for safety-conscious buyers.

The Bottom Line

An attractive design and smooth ride are hampered by a down-market interior and expensive advanced safety features, relegating the 2018 Lincoln MKZ to mid-pack status in the in the mid-size luxury class.

Read Less

Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.0L I-4 / 245 HP / 275 ft.lbs.
Transmission
6-spd SelectShift w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
21 / 31 / 26 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
5
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.0L I-4 / 245 HP / 275 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
21 / 31 / 26 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel
Compact Steel
Fuel Tank
16.5 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$63
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
15.4 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
97 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
194.1 "
Exterior Width
73.4 "
Exterior Height
58.2 "
Front Headroom
37.9 "
Rear Headroom
36.5 "
Front Legroom
44.3 "
Rear Legroom
37.0 "
Front Shoulder Room
57.7 "
Rear Shoulder Room
55.3 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
3,739 Lbs.
Wheel Base
112 "
Turning Radius
19.0 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
18.0 " Machined W/painted Accents Aluminum / 19.0 " Machined W/painted Accents Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone / Metallic Monotone / Tri-coat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote Heated Convex Spotter
Bumpers
Body-colored
Grille Moldings
Metal-look W/chrome Surround / Black
Rear Spoiler
Exhaust
Stainless Steel With Chrome Tailpipe Finish
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
5
Seat Trim
Lincoln Soft Touch Leatherette
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Driver And Front Passenger Heated-cushion, Heated-seatback
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
(8-way Power)
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
(8-way Power)
Front Armrests
(8-way Power)
Rear Armrests
Center With Pass-thru
Rear Seats
60-40 Bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Siriusxm Am/fm/satellite, Clock, Seek-scan
Speakers
11
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Automatic Air Conditioning
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror
Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Front And Rear
Tinted Windows
Light
Vanity Mirrors
Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
4
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Driver And Passenger
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Headlights
Directionally Adaptive
Parking Sensors
Rear
Security Systems
Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Securilock
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Major Components Months
72 Months / 70,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months
Unlimited Months / Unlimited Miles
Corrosion Perforation
60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months

Used 2018 Lincoln MKZ for Sale

2 vehicles found within 100 miles of your area
Lincoln
Premiere
Color: White
Price

$17,717

Mileage

51,195 mi

Map location icon

Karplus Warehouse Inc. (23 mi)

Lincoln
Reserve
Color: Black
Price

$22,295

Mileage

75,186 mi

Map location icon

DriveTime Van Nuys (18 mi)

Phone: (818) 464-2370

Other Lincoln MKZ Listings

We have expanded the search to include other Lincoln MKZ years that you might be interested in.

Lincoln
Hybrid
Color: Ruby Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat
Price

$12,500

Mileage

104,108 mi

Map location icon

Cerritos Nissan (18 mi)

Lincoln
Sedan 4D
Color: Luxe
Price

$11,988

Mileage

107,836 mi

Map location icon

City Fine Cars LLC (21 mi)

Phone: (818) 416-7406
See All Used Car Listings