First Drive: 2010 Lincoln MKZ, a solid performer gets a makeover
by Drew Phillips on Apr 17th 2009 at 11:58AM 
2010 Lincoln MKZ – Click above for high-res image gallery
Launched in 2006 as the Zephyr, Lincoln's entry-level luxury sedan has undergone quite a few changes over the last three years. Graced with a new name – the MKZ – in 2007, as well as a 3.5-liter V6 and available all-wheel drive, the feature list continued to grow when SYNC and reverse park-assist were added to the MKZ in 2008. Like its Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan brothers, the 2010 MKZ benefits from a significant mid-cycle refresh that Lincoln hopes will make it more competitive in its segment. We recently spent a day with the new MKZ, scrutinizing its revamped exterior design, inspecting its all-new interior and testing out the re-tuned engine and suspension. Read on to see if the sum of the 2010 Lincoln MKZ's parts add up to an improved car.
Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Lincoln MKZ
Photos copyright ©2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc
Lincoln will be sure to tell you that the previous MKZ was a solid platform to work with, and they wouldn't be alone. J.D. Power gave the MKZ a 2007 "Best in Class" award for initial quality, and Consumer Reports listed it as a Recommended Buy for 2008. That's not to say there wasn't room for improvement. In our review of a 2007 AWD model, we asserted that the MKZ needed to offer dramatically more to set it apart from the Fusion and Milan besides exterior styling, and we found the 3.5-liter V6 and six-speed transmission to be merely satisfactory. Lincoln knew it had to step up its game, and it set a series of goals to improve the overall quality, styling and performance of the MKZ.
The 2010 MKZ is entirely new from A-pillar forward, highlighted by Lincoln's soon-to-be-signature split-wing grille and a subtly revised lower fascia. The design is similar enough to the old car that it won't win or lose any fans, but Lincoln did an admirable job of giving the new MKZ a more modern look. The rear has also been given a refresh with a new decklid, LED taillights and a new lower fascia with large cutouts to better highlight the dual exhaust tips.
However, the most significant update is to the interior. While the previous car's appointments were reasonably competitive, Lincoln has made a concerted effort boost the quality of materials used and improve the overall look of the cabin.
Genuine wood or aluminum is used depending on the trim package, and soft-touch materials make up the entire dash. Cabin noise has been reduced thanks to upgraded sound absorbent material in nearly everything surrounding the cockpit – the windshield, door seals, fenders, pillars, the floor and even the headliner. The instrument panel has been redesigned to have a more three-dimensional, modern look and an optional eight-inch touch-screen display is conveniently positioned higher up on the dash. The bucket seats are now wrapped in premium Bridge of Weir leather and have just the right amount of bolstering. We could easily spend hours inside the MKZ and never feel uncomfortable.
Powertrain options remain the same for 2010, with the MKZ retaining its 3.5-liter, 24-valve V6 engine. Improvements have been made, however, to the transmission to make better use of the 263 horsepower and 249 lb-ft of torque on tap, including revised gearing and improved shift times. Lincoln claims a 0-60 mph time of 7.1 seconds, compared to 7.7 previously, but the MKZ still doesn't have as much gusto some of its competitors. We were happy with the addition of SelectShift, which is now standard on the six-speed automatic. This author normally doesn't care for any sort of manu-matic option, but the MKZ has one of the best versions he has had the pleasure of using. It engages quickly by simply slotting the shifter to the right, and gearchanges are delivered with minimal lag. We actually used SelectShift a few times on some twisty roads to maintain a gear and were pleasantly surprised at how well the transmission responded.
In the handling department, the 2010 MKZ gets some minor updates, including revised rear suspension geometry and a new variable-assist steering pump. The Sport model, new for 2010, also gets slightly stiffer springs and larger sway bars. We thought the MKZ held its own on the aforementioned twisty roads, although the steering felt too light and over-boosted. The low steering effort felt appropriate at low speeds and while cruising on the freeway, but it was devoid of any feedback while driving with the least bit of enthusiasm.
Lincoln has delivered on its pledge to keep things fresh with the MKZ. The upgraded interior is now more of a contender for best-in-class with its abundance of soft-touch materials and excellent leather seats, and the powertrain offers on-par performance while delivering 18/27 mpg in front-wheel drive form. We wouldn't yet consider the 2010 MKZ a standout among the sea of entry-level luxury sedans, but it will undoubtedly cause potential customers to take a second look, particularly with a price-tag at $34,965 for the front-wheel drive model or $36,855 for the all-wheel drive variant.
Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Lincoln MKZ
Photos copyright ©2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
MemphisNET 12:09PM (4/17/2009)
Does Ford have any intention to offer this in Hybrid trim?
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Quantumphysics 3:46PM (4/17/2009)
As far as I'm concerned, anyone spending money on a Lincoln isn't worried about fuel prices..
The MKZ is like a smaller MKS now since they've basically ported the design down to this car from the MKS. The choice is now whether you get the big MKS or the small one.
The FUSION 2010 which I tested in my ford dealer nearby is exciting because of the technology: the LCD display cluster + the Sync computer (same as the MKZ's) and the fuel savings you get wherein the car costs less than $35,000.
Problem is, you get alot less power in the Fusions engine.
The MKZ is the same size as the Fusion but with less expensive interior appointments and a more powerful engine. If you are worried about fuel costs - buy a Fusion instead.
Enigmatic 8:16PM (4/17/2009)
No, I don't believe so. To the poster above, I'm sure there are some people that want all the luxury appointments but are willing to shell out some extra cash to be a little more green (as evidenced by Cadillac's dabbling in hybrids). But I don't think there's enough of a market for it to be worthwhile.
Jim 9:24PM (4/17/2009)
"Problem is, you get alot less power in the Fusions engine."
not if you get the Fusion Sport.
Farmboy 9:28PM (4/18/2009)
Actually I have read that they are testing them in the desert right now. Maybe within the next couple of years....
artandcolour 10:51PM (4/18/2009)
quantum: driving hybrids, or wanting better fuel economy from a luxury car isn't about the cost of fuel. for most buyers i'd say it's about wanting to use as little foreign oil as possible. i'd say there are thousands of buyers in the mid-to-upper $30s that would love to be able to say their Lincoln was a hybrid—it would give them the opportunity to have the logo and brand of their choice, knowing that they're saving fuel in the process. i'm not saying every buyer, but i think everyday there are more and more that would.
i think as a marketing tool, the car would be a HUGE boon for Lincoln for zero extra development costs. it's as they say, a no-brainer.
Stealth E34 12:14PM (4/17/2009)
Kudos to Ford for stepping up with the MKZ. I really like the sharper front end and rear, it actually has a bit of a sporty look to it. Interior looks great, and knowing Ford's improvements in quality, this car has the potential to do quite well. The price can't be beat either!
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Rob 12:17PM (4/17/2009)
Why does everything made by ford have an UGLY engine? It isn't a deal breaker or anything and it's very low on my list of priorities, but Ford engine compartments always look like garbage. Why? They still use plastic covers, but they just let the engineers go crazy without ever talking to a designer. It's strange. It's so consistent too!
Jim 12:25PM (4/17/2009)
"Why does everything made by ford have an UGLY engine?"
the real question is "who cares?" Engine covers and fairings are, 9 times out of 10, useless and costly. Hell, I doubt more than a handful of car owners ever open their own hoods.
JL 12:32PM (4/17/2009)
@Rob
I don't get it...!
what's ugly about that?
engine block, spark plugs, fan, battery, wires and belts...
can't get any more beautiful than that....!
artso06 1:33PM (4/17/2009)
There not ugly if you have to work on a car. The reason why car manufacturers do this is for looks but it is also an extra money maker for there dealers because labor. Hence why many modern cars require you to take batteries out to get to lights or remove whole housings etc. Its just one more money maker for the automakers on the side. Add an extra step to the process, whether difficult or not you get thousands who don't want to repair there car the maybe would otherwise. Days are gone where you could see the floor through the engine bay because all that was in there was the motor (that is the most beautiful engine btw, shiny and polished).
Tomac 2:03PM (4/17/2009)
@Rob: You're seriously hung up about the engine compartment appearance? The only thing I'd be concerned with is accessibility for maintenance/modification. It's not a display item-- it's functional. So long as it looks good on the outside and from the seat, that's all that matters. Perhaps you're in the habit of raising the hood at a weekend car show and showing off the Turtle-Waxed intake headers? No thanks, I'll be at the track.
asng15 2:10PM (4/17/2009)
save the $ and pay for the marketing group......
"There not ugly if you have to work on a car." Compare with civic i think the engine looks beautiful .
Compare with other same level competitor ............it is solid LOL
Rob 2:45PM (4/17/2009)
No, read my post again. I said it wasn't a big deal. I just don't get it. Every other marque manages to make engine compartments look tidy, and I'm not just referring to plastic covers that hide everything. Ford engines generally have wires running all over the place, and plastic engine parts with the bracing on the OUTSIDE, just making everything look cheap and dirty. I'm not saying it's a big deal, I just don't understand how every other company makes decent looking engines, and fords always look like garbage.
Jake B 3:08PM (4/17/2009)
At least it's not like a Chrysler where you have to take your dashboard off to change out a heater core, talk about bad engineering. Almost as bad as having to take apart my coolant system to get to a rotten power steering hose.
Rob 3:41PM (4/17/2009)
Jake: It's like that on most cars. All GM products, Subarus, anything I've ever owned. Heater cores are a PITA.
Ligor 4:33PM (4/17/2009)
Yes the price can be beat
go take a look at a G37
not ony is hte G37 slightly less costly, but it's a hell of a lot better car for those who enjoy driving
now this is FWD but if just too $$ for me to even bother considering it over a G37.
yet it totally makes me foget the Lexus ES350 even exists, and even though the Acura TL will outperform it that car is so ugly it won't make my list either.
Now if you go with an Audi A4 all oyou'll be able to get is the 2.0T in the A4 and definitely the A4's reliability will not match that of the MKZ
so while the G37 will be my choise over this, it definitely ranks above some of the other choices.
I left the 3-series out sicne it's cost starts at about where a nicely loaded AWD MKZ would start
Erik 12:14PM (4/17/2009)
Oh, those seats are AWEFUL! What are those, racing stripes? And white piping? Foul!
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brandon 12:35PM (4/17/2009)
I respectfully couldn't disagree more.
Tomac 2:05PM (4/17/2009)
Lovin' the seats. Perhaps you're over 60?