Mister Impressive Sedan
The Lincoln MKZ is a four-door, five-passenger mid-sized sedan marketed as the Zephyr (till 2006) and as the MKZ (from 2006 to the present). Both petrol and hybrid versions are available. The car is successfully sold not only in the United States, but also in Canada, Mexico, China and the Middle East.
The first generation
It was produced from 2006 to 2012. Lincoln produced its Zephyr models in the 30s, as well as 70s and 80s. In 2005, the manufacturer made a new attempt to release another Zephyr. It was supposed to replace a rather popular Lincoln LS model, and both cars were sold simultaneously for a while. Both were renamed to the MKZ, which started being sold since 2006. Despite the fact that the car had a new name, it was called Zephyr for quite a long time.
The Lincoln MKZ had to bring in new young buyers who appreciated technology and dynamics. At the same time, it retained the traditional design, so it turned out to be rather boring, similar to many other mid-size sedans. However, the traditional design of the radiator grille of that time, a toothy sparkling smile from headlight to headlight and a four-beam cross, indicated that the car belonged to the original presidential brand.
The first MKZ was built on an elongated platform from the Mazda 6, just like the Fusion and Milan models. The platform was good, so the decision to used it for the new car on it can be considered good. The MKZ was distinguished by good driving characteristics, confident behavior on the road and spaciousness.
As a traditional Lincoln’s model, the car featured a stylish center console and high quality materials. In terms of finishing, the MKZ surpassed the Fusion and Milan. The new sedan had something that its platform comrades lacked, namely HID headlights, a navigation system and ventilated seats.
The MKZ was standardly equipped with dual-zone automatic climate control, an MP3-compatible audio system with six speakers and a CD changer in the dashboard, 10-way front seats with the memory function, a folding rear seat, an analog clock, cruise control and keyless entry.
The MKZ could boast of an elongated slender body on 17-inch wheels, sparkling with elongated predatory rectangular headlights and specially designed LED taillights, powered by a 3-liter 6-cylinder engine with 221 hp, accompanied by a 6-speed automatic transmission.
The first Lincoln MKZ was distinguished by good driving characteristics, confident behavior on the road and spaciousness.
The first generation MKZ had a good set of safety options, including anti-lock braking system, standard front seat side airbags, side curtain airbags for head protection, reinforced center pillars and roof structure. In NHTSA crash tests, the MKZ received a four-star frontal impact safety rating, a five-star front side impact safety rating and a four-star rear side impact safety rating.
In 2009, the MKZ was restyled, acquiring the slightly modified front and rear panels and upgraded headlights. The solid grille became forked or ‘winged’, which was Lincoln’s visual know-how for several years, after which the brand returned to a solid grille.
The restyled version came with 18-inch wheels. Other 2009 innovations included a rear-view camera system, DVD satellite navigation tuned to receive voice commands, rain-sensitive wipers, a cabin air filter and adaptive HID headlights. The MKZ was also equipped with an improved 6-speed automatic transmission.
In 2011, Lincoln introduced the MKZ Hybrid, which was the company’s first hybrid vehicle. The Lincoln MKZ Hybrid inherited a hybrid powertrain from the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids, which included a progressive 4-cylinder Duratec I4 engine and an electric motor. The total power of the powertrain was 191 hp and 142 kW. Lincoln put its hybrid into a competition with very tough rivals, the Lexus HS 250h and ES Hybrid.
The second generation
It has produced from 2012 to the present, while its restyling took place in 2016 (as of 2020). By 2012, the segment represented by the MKZ had become extremely highly competitive, and Lincoln had to work hard to upgrade the MKZ and present it as a truly luxury sedan. The standard set of functions includes:
- fog lights;
- rear parking sensors;
- keyless access from an external keyboard;
- dual-zone automatic climate control;
- heated and ventilated front seats;
- eight-way power seat adjustment;
- steering wheel tilt-adjustable and telescoping;
- cruise control;
- rear view mirrors;
- multifunctional entertainment system and much more.
The 2012/2013 Lincoln MKZ was equipped with a 3.5-liter 6-cylinder engine generating 263 hp and a torque of 337 Nm. The engine was accompanied by a 6-speed automatic transmission. It could be both front and four-wheel drive.
As for the hybrid version, the upgraded model was equipped with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor generating 191 hp. Power was transmitted to the front wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission.
In 2016, the MKZ was restyled. The car proudly presented a new design of Lincoln, featuring a solid ‘squared’ radiator grille, which made the sedan look less aggressive, but much more serious.
The new Lincoln MKZ has several trim levels: Standard, Premiere, Select, Reserve and Black Label, plus several packages of additional options and functions. The car is equipped with a new 3-liter 6-cylinder engine that can produce from 350 to 400 hp, depending on the transmission. There are several types of transmission, including a sports one, with constant damping control, electric power steering and other functions.
The 2016/2017 Lincoln MKZ still continues its life journey. It has to fight not only with its competitors, but also with SUVs, which are steadily becoming more popular than sedans. Hopefully, in the world of the growing dominance of SUVs, there will be true connoisseurs of sedans who will remain faithful to this noble format, and such cars as the Lincoln MKZ will continue to delight us with its sophisticated silhouettes.
