2010 Lincoln MKZ Review: Lincoln Makes a Play for Mid-Size Luxury Segment

Whilst sister brand Ford has been enjoying a renaissance in the marketplace recently, Lincoln has repositioned itself and tried to project a new image. There is no doubt that the brand has struggled to find an identity - its last real hit product was the LS.

18 May 2015

Pros

Cons

There never seemed to be a concerted effort by Ford to give the brand the resources it needed to truly compete. In recent times, the lack of resources behind Lincoln has had less to do with will and more to do with ability - the cash crunch caused Ford Motor Company to focus resources on the Ford brand.

For Lincoln, the lineup recently moved to a different naming scheme and vehicles based off of Ford models. The refashioned Lincoln competes against Acura, Lexus and the revitalized Buick.

Last year, Car Throttle reviewed one model in that lineup, the MKT, based on the Ford Flex. Now we review the MKZ, Lincoln's mid-size luxury sedan.

The MKZ started life as the Zephyr, part of a trio that included the Ford Fusion and the Mercury Milan. It debuted wearing the retro theme that Lincoln was going with then, sporting a waterfall grille and upright Art-Deco style interior.

It was then rechristened MKZ in 2007, with the design freshened a bit, the engine updated and the added availability of all-wheel drive rounding off the package.

For the 2010, the MKZ received its mid-cycle enhancement. This time, it was a far more significant update. The car was redesigned with the brand's signature new design element, the large "split wing" grille, along with horizontal LED tail lamps.

Our particular model was equipped with the available Sport Package, which darkens the grille and headlight surrounds, along with adding 18-inch polished aluminum wheels. The wheels in particular help to dress up the MKZ's look. We really loved the car's Tuxedo Black paint - it uses real glass dust to make the paint glisten, providing an added dimension. Black is a complimentary color for the MKZ.

The MKZ is good-looking, but a bit too similar to the Fusion. Overall, there isn't the same level of change moving to the MKZ from the Fusion as there is from the MKT to the Flex, MKS to the Taurus or the 2011 MKX to the Edge. For $42,000, we want our car to look it.

Inside, the Fusion and the MKZ don't share much, if anything, in terms of design. For 2010 the MKZ gets a new horizontal look that ditches the vertical theme of the previous MKZ.

Design in this interior, for the most part, isn't the problem. We like the dash design - if this interior was flawlessly executed it would be well positioned versus the competition. But it isn't flawlessly executed. Material quality in our particular tester was unimpressive, with cheap feeling plastic in the center stack and door panels. There were trim pieces that didn't align and perhaps most egregious of all, when closed there was a large gap between the doors and B-pillar.

It was large enough to stick a finger in, and the car's black paint could be seen through it. This doesn't help to create an ambiance of a $42,000 luxury car interior - this could be the Fusion's interior.

We imagine the $500 Executive Package for the MKZ, which, among other things, adds real wood to replace the cheap plastic on the center stack, would make a significant difference to the interior's luxury feel.

There are bright points in the interior though. The MKZ is loaded with technological goodies like the excellent cross-traffic warning system and Ford's easy to use navigation system setup, which enables control of the climate, audio and other car systems.

SYNC, Ford's phone link system developed with Microsoft, also works flawlessly, enabling audio streaming over Bluetooth and hands free calling. Ambiance lighting also plays well at night, with many places lit up around the interior. It is a nice effect. The car's electroluminescent gauges are stunning and flawlessly executed.

We also loved the light up Lincoln sill plates - a very nice detail. A particular thing that sets the MKZ apart from other cars is the THX sound system - it is amazing and truly immersive. Sound systems in other vehicles pale in comparison.

The MKZ fared better with regards to the driving experience. The car handled well with the optional sports-tuned suspension. Everything felt tight and the ride had a good balance between comfort and sport, with no float or lack of control to be found.

The 263-horsepower 3.5L V-6 moved the car well, and provided a nice exhaust note. The MKZ, as equipped with the sport package, rates well in the driving experience department.

Our particular model was equipped with all-wheel drive, and you can feel it. There were times in acceleration that the rear tires chirped.

There is no denying Ford has been on a roll as of late. The thing is though, this transformation has mostly been about mainstream vehicles, not touching luxury in the same way. In fact, with Ford shedding Aston Martin, Jaguar and Volvo, it seemed as if they were abandoning luxury altogether - but they aren't.

Ford's recent announcement that it was cutting Mercury can only be interpreted as good news. There will be only one other platform mate, freeing up more to spend on Lincoln models. In addition, with Ford's improved cash situation, Lincoln vehicles will be getting a lot more differentiation - proper investment, finally. Ford has announced features for Lincoln like exclusive engines and push button transmission selectors - things are about to get very interesting.

With impressive product and vehicles like the MKT from Lincoln already in the stable, we look forward to seeing the new generation of Lincolns. If every one of the new Lincolns is executed as flawlessly as the MKT, there will be no worries about the future of the brand.

In short, we liked the MKZ. It's not a bad car, and we wanted to like it - but we have to more than just like it to spend $42,000, especially with so many competitive entries in the segment.

With what we know about Ford products lately though, something tells us we'll be singing a different tune regarding the car's next-generation model. Time will tell.

Disclaimer: This test vehicle was provided to CarThrottle by the manufacturer for purposes of evaluation