Lincoln battled European sport sedans head-to-head when it introduced the LS for 1999, which featured a six- or eight-cylinder engine, rear-wheel drive, entertaining driving dynamics, and a dedicated platform shared only with Jaguar and, eventually, the retro-futuristic Ford Thunderbird. By the mid-Aughts, however, the LS had lost its luster, and Lincoln replaced it with a luxed-up Ford Fusion derivative called the Zephyr. The Zephyr name lasted exactly one year, the car re-christened MKZ for 2007 while getting an unusual second-year update to its styling inside and out. Now, five years after the demise of the LS, the MKZ gets a significant mid-cycle freshening, including a redesigned interior and Lincoln’s new signature grille design.

Highlights of the 2010 Lincoln MKZ include:

• Restyled exterior with new signature split-wing grille, LED taillights and tighter panel gaps
• Redesigned interior with new seats, available ambient lighting, and available unembossed Bridge of Weir leather
• New, standard 911 Assist feature with SYNC technology
• New, available adaptive HID headlights
• New, available blind-spot information system with cross-traffic alert function
• New, available reversing camera system
• New, available navigation system with Sirius Travel Link service
• New, available THX II premium audio system with 10-GB hard drive that can store 150 hours of music
• New MKZ Sport model with stiffer suspension, 18-inch polished wheels, darkened headlights and taillights, a different grille, body-color door handles, tuxedo stitching and leather piping, and genuine aluminum interior trim
• New six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission for faster acceleration
• Updated AWD system for reduced NVH and improved traction
• Revised suspension tuning for improved ride quality and better handling
• New power steering system for lower-effort parking ease
• Tightened turning radius by one foot
• New sound-proofing makes the MKZ quieter
• New cabin air filtration system
• New genuine wood trim is standard

Model Lineup

Lincoln sells the MKZ in a single specification of trim, with only a few options. With the base price just under $35,000, the MKZ includes expected entry-luxury sedan features as well as numerous surprise-and-delight items such as heated and cooled front seats with 10-way power adjustment for the driver, premium Bridge of Weir leather, SYNC wireless connectivity with Bluetooth hands-free communication and 911 Assist technology, genuine wood trim, an Easy-Fuel capless fuel filler system, and a free six-month subscription to Sirius satellite radio.

For the most part, options are packaged together. The Technology Package adds adaptive HID headlights, rain-sensing wipers, and ambient interior lighting. The Navigation Package includes a navigation system with Sirius Travel Link, a blind-spot information system with cross-traffic alert, a reversing camera, and a 10-GB music jukebox. The Ultimate Package includes the Technology and Navigation Packages plus a power moonroof, THX II premium audio, and chrome wheels. The Sport Appearance Package adds stiffer suspension, 18-inch polished wheels, darkened headlights and taillights, a different grille, body-color door handles, tuxedo stitching and leather piping, and genuine aluminum interior trim. There’s also an Executive Package with lots of extra wood trim, premium Lincoln Star floor mats, and upgraded leather upholstery. All-wheel drive and Platinum White Pearlcoat paint are also available. Lincoln dealers also offer a remote engine starting system for the MKZ.

Under the Hood

The 2010 Lincoln MKZ is equipped with a 263-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine, driving the front or all four wheels through a six-speed Select Shift automatic transmission. Fuel economy is 18 mpg city/27 mpg highway with front-wheel drive, and 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway with all-wheel drive. Our review vehicle was a MKZ Sport with all-wheel drive, and it averaged 20.9 mpg in mixed driving with an emphasis on highway cruising. Combined with our MKZ’s standard 16.5-gallon fuel tank, this actual fuel economy figure results in an approximate 345-mile range between fill-ups of regular unleaded. Note that front-wheel drive MKZs have one extra gallon of fuel capacity, meaning they can be expected to travel approximately 365 miles between fuel stops.

Safety Features

Standard safety equipment on every 2010 Lincoln MKZ includes dual front airbags, side impact airbags for front seat occupants, and side curtain airbags for both rows of seats. Lincoln’s AdvanceTrac stability and traction control system is also standard, and the braking system is a four-wheel-disc antilock setup with electronic brake-force distribution. The MKZ also includes a reverse sensing system and 911 Assist technology, which automatically contacts emergency personnel when the MKZ’s airbags deploy, sending help to the car’s location immediately.

Safety options for the MKZ include adaptive headlights that help illuminate around curves, a reversing camera, and a blind-spot information system with cross-traffic alert function. The latter two features are welcome new additions considering the number of owners that complain about rear visibility while backing up. 

The Competition

J.D. Power and Associates says the 2010 Lincoln MKZ competes against other entry premium vehicles such as the Acura TL, Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Cadillac CTS, Infiniti G37, Lexus IS, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and Volkswagen CC.

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Note: This review was published on October 19, 2009. It may not reflect data that has become available for this vehicle since that date.