Item: 2017 Lincoln MKZ
Author: John Diether

Overview

For anyone seeking quiet luxury, the Lincoln MKZ is a midsize sedan that places comfort and relaxation ahead of any sporting pretenses. Striking design, inside and out, aims to attract buyers who prefer to stand apart from the German-sedan crowd, providing more of a modern take on American luxury. The MKZ is available with a heap of technology, much of it aimed at making driving easier and perhaps impressing passengers.

What's New for 2017

Substantially freshened for the 2017 model year, the MKZ gets a new grille that eliminates the previous “split wing” theme. It also helps establish Lincoln’s next design generation. Adaptive LED headlights are available. Inside is a new “floating” center console, joined by a pushbutton gear selector. New switches and dials have replaced the prior sliders to control ventilation and audio. A newly available 3-liter V6 engine develops up to 400 horsepower.

Choosing Your Lincoln MKZ

The MKZ comes with a choice of two gasoline engines (the MKZ Hybrid is covered in a separate overview). Standard is again a 2-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine that makes 240 horsepower. For 2017, the newly optional twin-turbo 3-liter V6 generates 400 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque, when installed in an MKZ with all-wheel drive. With standard front-wheel drive, V6 output drops to 350 horsepower. Both engines mate with a six-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive costs nearly $1,900 extra with either engine.

Lincoln offers the MKZ in three trim levels, and with a Black Label equipment group.

CarsDirect Tip

Considering the new V6 makes sense, because that's the MKZ's main advantage over the Ford Fusion on which it's based. Upgrading from the four-cylinder engine to the new V6 adds $4,000 to the price of an all-wheel-drive model, or $2,750 to the front-drive sedan. Mid-level Select trim delivers most of the features expected in this price class, whereas a loaded Reserve or Black Label can get expensive. If you like open-roofed driving, you may as well go all the way with that spectacular panoramic glass roof option.

Get your price on a Lincoln MKZ »

James Flammang

Contributing Editor - June 07, 2016

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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.

John Diether

Automotive Editor - March 31, 2017

Lincoln's midsize sedan might not carry the prestige of an Audi or BMW due to its Ford Fusion underpinnings, but the MKZ gives buyers plenty of features and upscale style for the price of a luxury compact. Perhaps its most compelling attribute is a newly available turbocharged V6 that lays down 400 horsepower.

Pricing and Equipment

The MKZ starts out in Premiere trim for $36,095 (prices include $925 destination charge). Standard features include:

Leatherette seats with driver memory and heat in front
An eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with 11-speaker audio
A rearview camera and rear parking sensors
An adaptive suspension system
18-inch aluminum wheels

The mid-level Select ($37,845) gets leather seats, wood interior trim, rear-seat charging ports, and power-folding side mirrors. The optional Select Plus Package adds navigation and blind spot monitoring for $1,255. Those items come standard on the $40,595 Reserve model, which also has ventilated front seats, a power trunk lid, and 19-inch wheels. The top trim Black Label offers an upgraded leather interior in three distinctive design themes and special owner privileges like pickup and drop-off for service work. Black Label models start at $48,755.

The Select and above are available with a Technology Package ($2,395) that adds active safety features like adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and collision mitigation with pedestrian detection. Buyers can add a single-panel sunroof for $1,200, or a retractable glass roof for $2,995.

The standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produces 245 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. The 2.0-liter is EPA-rated at 24 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving in front-drive models. Models equipped with the optional all-wheel drive system ($1,890) are rated at 23 mpg combined.

A turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 is available on the Select and above for $2,750. The V6 delivers 350 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. Horsepower increases to 400 with all-wheel drive, a $3,140 option. Fuel efficiency comes in at 21 mpg combined, or 20 mpg with all-wheel drive. Both MKZ engines use a six-speed automatic transmission with a push-button selector mounted to the right of the steering wheel.

Models equipped with the V6 and all-wheel drive can get a Driver's Package ($3,395) with a sport-tuned suspension, performance tires, and multicontour seats.

Performance Pros

The optional V6 makes the MKZ the fastest Lincoln ever built. The 400-hp version gets the sedan from zero to 60 mph in around five seconds.
The MKZ rides very smoothly, even when road conditions are less than ideal. The standard adaptive suspension does an admirable job of absorbing bumps and craters.
Although it's more about comfort than performance, the MKZ feels relatively sporty on the road. Its alert handling kept us engaged, if not entertained.

Performance Cons

With the base 2.0-liter, the MKZ performs more like a family sedan than a luxury car. Acceleration is near the bottom of this segment.
The optional Driver's Package sounds great on paper, but delivers a major blow to ride quality. Unless you live somewhere with roads covered in silk, consider this option carefully.
No matter how it's equipped, the MKZ does no better than average in efficiency.

Interior Pros

The MKZ's new-for-2017 Sync 3 touchscreen interface is intuitive, quick to respond, and complemented by useful physical buttons.
The MKZ offers more rear seat room and a larger trunk than similarly priced luxury sedans, making it a good fit for family duty.
Black Label models are trimmed to the teeth in rich leather and exotic wood.

Interior Cons

Some interior pieces have a downmarket feel, especially the hard plastic gear shift buttons. The entire center stack, meanwhile, is just hard, unfriendly plastic.
The leatherette seats and gray plastic trim used in the base model don't look or feel like they belong in a luxury car.
The sloping roof limits rear head room for taller passengers.

The Most Pleasant Surprise

With a few upgrades, the Lincoln MKZ makes for a perfectly acceptable midsize luxury sedan without crossing the $40,000 threshold.

The Least Pleasant Surprise

When equipped with the standard engine, the Lincoln MKZ has little to offer buyers who want a blend of performance and luxury.

The Bottom Line

The Lincoln MKZ seems right for buyers who measure luxury in traditional terms like style, comfort, and convenience.

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Specs & Features

Highlights

Overall Crash Safety Rating

Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque

2.0L I-4 / 240 HP / 270 ft.lbs.

Transmission

6-spd SelectShift w/OD

Drive Type

Front-wheel

Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined

21 / 31 / 26 Mpg

Passenger Capacity

Bumper to Bumper Warranty

48 Months / 50,000 Miles

Mechanical Specs

Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque	2.0L I-4 / 240 HP / 270 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
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
Rear Spoiler
Exhaust	Stainless Steel With Chrome Tailpipe Finish

Interior Features

Seating

Passenger Capacity	5
Seat Trim	Lincoln Luxury 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 2017 Lincoln MKZ for Sale

1 vehicles found within 100 miles of your area

2017 Lincoln MKZ

Free CARFAX Report

Select

Color: White

Price

$16,495

Mileage

75,263 mi

Redondo Mitsubishi (5 mi)

Phone: (424) 282-3465

Other Lincoln MKZ Listings

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

2019 Lincoln MKZ

Free CARFAX Report

Standard

Price

$24,550

Mileage

20,054 mi

Envision Ford of Duarte (29 mi)

2020 Lincoln MKZ

Free CARFAX Report

Reserve

Price

$27,376

Mileage

28,325 mi

Envision Ford of Duarte (29 mi)

See All Used Car Listings

2017 Lincoln MKZ

Overview

What's New for 2017

Choosing Your Lincoln MKZ

Premiere

Select

Reserve

Black Label

Expert Review

Pricing and Equipment

Performance Pros

Performance Cons

Interior Pros

Interior Cons

The Most Pleasant Surprise

The Least Pleasant Surprise

The Bottom Line

Specs & Features

Used 2017 Lincoln MKZ for Sale

2017 Lincoln MKZ

$16,495

75,263 mi

Redondo Mitsubishi (5 mi)

Other Lincoln MKZ Listings

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

2019 Lincoln MKZ

$24,550

20,054 mi

Envision Ford of Duarte (29 mi)

2020 Lincoln MKZ

$27,376

28,325 mi

Envision Ford of Duarte (29 mi)

All Model Years

Find More Information on Lincoln Vehicles