Lincoln Stands Out with the 2015 MKZ

The 2015 version of the MKZ reaches out and competes well against many of the other luxury cars in this segment and is found to in general be more affordable than most of the more recognized luxury brands and offer more equipment. In fact the MKZ shows up with a hybrid model that costs the same as the base model making it very had to pass up the opportunity to drive a hybrid car and save money with fewer trips to the gas pump for fill ups.

As a very sharp and stylish car the MKZ shows off with a presence all its own and the possibility of being a car that can deliver respect and status for anyone willing to own this great looking luxury car. With a full redesign only a couple years ago the MKZ does not receive many upgrades for 2015 but the changes are noticeable and enjoyable. These updates include the elimination of the Preferred Equipment Package and allowing all the same options that were available in this package as stand-alone options instead to allow owners to choose which ones they want instead of being saddled with a full package they don’t want.

The MKZ offers a driving experience that is truly pure luxury. The suspension is expertly engineered and handles any kind of road defect with ease and confidence. The steering is highly responsive making it easy to handle corners, curves and navigate city traffic even though this is a large sedan. The ride is expectedly quiet with noise cancelling technology that helps to allow owners to enjoy their choice of musical selections and create an oasis from the outside world.

Three distinctly different engines can be chosen to power the MKZ and each one has its own list of benefits to make this a difficult choice for shoppers. The base model starts with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine that offers up to 240 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft. of torque. Partnered with a six-speed automatic transmission this engine can achieve a fuel efficiency of 22 city/33 hwy mpg for the front-wheel drive models and 22 city/31 hwy for the all-wheel drive versions, making the choice between the two versions a difficult one as well.

The second of the engines is the 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine that is assisted by a permanent magnet AC synchronous motor for the hybrid model. This engine brings in 188 horsepower as a net between the two systems and 129 lb.-ft. of torque. Paired with a continuously variable transmission and only available as a front-wheel drive model this power train can achieve fuel efficiencies of 45 city/45 hwy mpg making this an easy model to fall in love with.

The most powerful of the engines comes in the form of a 3.7-liter V6 engine for the power hungry crowd. This engine offers as much as 300 horsepower and 277 lb.-ft. of torque and is mated to the six-speed automatic transmission. This very powerful powertrain comes in with fuel efficiency numbers that reach 19 city/28 hwy for the front-wheel drive model and 18 city/26 hwy mpg for the all-wheel drive versions.

Inside the cabin the MKZ offers plenty of great materials to enjoy as well as a generous and finely placed amount of metal trimmings. The spacious cabin offers plenty of room for all passengers to fit comfortably and enjoy the ride whether it is to work as a daily commuter car, out on the town at night for a date, or when toting the family around for errands or a weekend of fun. The navigation and touch screen programming add to the luxury feel of the car and allow drivers to enjoy knowing where they are headed with the confidence of turn by turn navigation.

On the outside the MKZ offers style and sophistication that can only be described as truly Lincoln in nature. Blending some high end features from the Town Car with the shapely stylings of a Ford Fusion the MKZ comes out as a beautiful and pleasing car to look at an drive. The split grill front and narrow headlights make the front end very stylish and the hood to roof angle coming off the very long hood give the car a feel of some aerodynamics. Spoked wheels finish off the exterior look in style and elegance that allow the car to be a great looking high end luxury sedan.

Even at the base model the MKZ offers a ton of awesome equipment as standard features to confidently position this car a value-oriented luxury sedan. The standard equipment offered includes heated front seats, leather upholstery, an adaptive suspension, LED taillights, an 11-speaker audio system, the MyLincoln Touch features, and eight-inch display screen that offers voice recognition software, eight airbags, stability control and Lincoln’s SOS Post-Crash Alert System. With all this on just the base model, even budget conscious owners can enjoy all these great features.

The optional equipment that is offered on the MKZ is included in three groups to start with. The Select Group adds a rearview camera, parking sensors and HD radio. The Reserve Group brings in a navigation system that is equipped with voice recognition, blind-spot monitoring and a power-operated trunk. The third group is the base car which is called the Premier Group. Stand-alone optional features that can be added and were previously part of the Preferred Group include heated rear seats, a THX-II certified 14-speaker sound system, a panoramic moonroof, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance and active parking assistance. Regardless of the group or options chosen the MKZ can be a very high-end luxury vehicle or one that only offers a smart choice of a few necessary components.

The base model of the MKZ starts the pricing a little below $37,000 which is very reasonable for all the car that is offered for the price. All-wheel drive can be added for a price increase of $2,000 and a fully loaded MKZ will reach a price that comes very near $50,000. These prices keep the MKZ below many other luxury models and allow Lincoln to offer a ton of great equipment for anyone to enjoy.