Foreign, or domestic, there are plenty of choices down the luxury sedan shopping lane. In the case of the MKZ, Lincoln’s competitive attempt is to lure buyers with its lofty interior, discrete tech and smooth power all nicely packaged in a good-old American heritage body shell.
Expect power to come along with it. The 2020 Lincoln MKZ boasts a whopping 400 horsepower and 400 lb.ft of torque with its 3.0L Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection V6. But if neck-snapping acceleration isn’t your thing, the MKZ is also offered with a more mellow 2.0L Turbocharged I-4 or a 2.0L I-4 hybrid variant scoring an impressive 8.4L/100km and 5.7L/100kmm EPA rating respectively.
It’s All About the Experience
Lincoln wants you to enjoy a stress-free ride, and the 2020 MKZ makes it possible by baking a few nifty tech features into its powertrain. The Active Park Assist Plus seamlessly automates the steering for parking for parallel and perpendicular parking. It’s even intelligent enough to automatically apply the brakes for you when you’re at a complete stop with the auto-hold feature.
Addition to all that are basic safety tech features including adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and automatic brake system that will be applied if the driver fails to stop in time to avoid a head-on collision.
Apple Carplay and Android Auto come standard with its floating 8” infotainment system. The software is powered by Sync 3 software offering an intuitive user interface design albeit noticeable hiccups and slight delays in responsiveness at times. But the Revel 20-speaker audio sound system delivers exceptional sound quality, which more than makes up for the low-performing nicks found in the Sync3 software.
Interior is master-crafted with quilted leather, chrome trimmings and high-end vinyl materials layered throughout the dash and side-panels. To keep the cabin space quiet, the MKZ utilizes active-noise-cancelling technology to invert road noise and wind shear through its audio speaker system – a similar technology employed on noise-cancelling headphones.
A complete-glass retractable panoramic roof, completes the luxury looks and feel department.
Powertrain
Engine configurations are offered in either a twin-turbo V6, an Inline-4 turbocharged or an Inline-4 hybrid powertrain. Both Front-Wheel and All-Wheel drive are available for the V6 and I-4 while the hybrid powertrain is limited to front-wheel drive only. Shifts are managed by a 6-speed SelectShift automatic transmission with available paddle shifters while the hybrid variant uses an eCVT transmission for improved fuel economy.
All variants come equipped with adaptive damping suspensions for improved ride comfort and road handling.
Final Thoughts
The upscaled American classic look and refined interior all looks good and feels even better in person. Until you step on the gas pedal is when the MKZ reveals its flaws. Torque delivery feels unrefined and despite its limited 185 horsepower in the hybrid variant, torque steer was noticeable at times with indications of amplifying effects for the I-4 2.0L turbocharged of V6 model. Shifts are also slow and sluggish – why Lincoln is still using a dated 6-speed automatic transmission remains a unfortunate mystery.
Despite all that, the adaptive damping suspensions help retain a plush ride and an exquisite cabin space experience and a plethora of legroom in the back while decently priced at $55,385 as tested.
But if a thrilling driving experience is what you’re after, move onto the next aisle as the German automakers alike the BMW 330i, or Mercedes Benz CLA or even the Japanese competitors offering the Infiniti Q50s or Acura RLX may offer a better run for your money.
