Lincoln MKZ Model Years and History

The Lincoln MKZ returns for 2020 with no major changes.

The Lincoln MKZ returns for 2019 with the only real changes being minor shuffling of various features between trim levels. Notably, buyers opting for the turbocharged V6 engine will now need to order the Reserve II trim to get it.

After the Lincoln MKZ received a complete redesign for 2017 there are no major updates this model year.

The Lincoln MKZ gets a complete redesign for 2017. Gone is the unpopular and somewhat awkward corporate grill that Lincoln was trying out. It's been replaced with a much more conventional looking grill, to go along with sophisticated new styling on the rest of the vehicle. The interior has also been given a thorough refresh, with high quality materials abound. On the mechanical side of things, a brand new top of the line turbocharged engine is available, producing enough power to make the brand new MKZ a genuinely fast car.

The MKZ returns for 2016 with few changes.

The Lincoln MKZ returns for 2015 with few changes.

The Lincoln MKZ was totally redesigned last year, leaving relatively little to change for 2014. The only differences will be a few new paint options for this year.

For 2013, Lincoln has completely redesigned the MKZ. The new car boasts a sleek, 4-door "coupe" look, with split front grille reminiscent of Lincoln's pre-war Zephyr and a band of LED taillights that spans the width of the car. Up top is a panoramic glass roof, and under the hood, buyers will have the choice of three engines: a turbocharged 240-hp 2.0L EcoBoost 4-cylinder; a 300-hp 3.7L V6; or, in the MKZ Hybrid, a 2.0L 4-cylinder paired with an electric motor good for 188 hp. The Hybrid should deliver an EPA-estimated 47 mpg in the city and 44 mpg on the highway. Inside, the cabin is loaded with premium leather and wood trim, as well as a 10-inch LCD instrument panel rather than traditional gauges. An 8-inch touchscreen display with touch-sensitive climate controls occupies the revised center stack. Finally, the 2013 MKZ boasts plenty of standard and optional high-tech safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, parking assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear-cross traffic alert, collision mitigation braking and airbags placed within the rear seatbelts.

For 2012, LINCOLN has added Sync AppLink, which allows hands-free control of specific smartphone applications, such as Pandora music-streaming. Otherwise, the LINCOLN MKZ lineup carries over mostly unchanged.

For 2011, the LINCOLN MKZ will be available for the first time as a hybrid, and the first hybrid for the Lincoln nameplate. As for the non-hybrid 2011 LINCOLN MKZ, which was completely redesigned for 2010, there are no major changes for 2011.

The Lincoln MKZ has been redesigned for 2010, with a bold look to carry the midsize sedan forward. This includes revised front and rear ends and a more aggressive grille. The interior has been made more contemporary as well, with ample use of wood and leather, and the instruments have been restyled. A new 6-speed automatic with SelectShift manual mode allows for a sportier drive and improves the MKZ's overall performance. Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) is now available.

The Lincoln MKZ enters 2009 with relatively few changes. A chrome beltline molding has been added, as has an auxiliary audio input and an instrument panel storage bin. The SYNC communications and entertainment interface that was phased into the MKZ in late 2008 is now standard. New exterior colors include Smoke Stone Metallic, Tuxedo Black Metallic, Brilliant Silver Metallic, and White Platinum Tri-Coat.

The Lincoln MKZ, which was new for 2007 and previously called the Zephyr, enters 2008 with increased standard features. Sirius satellite radio and perforated leather-trimmed seats--heated and cooled in front--are now standard. Later in the model year, the new Sync communications and entertainment interface, which provides hands-free, voice-activated access to cell phones and portable multimedia devices such as iPods was made standard. The available navigation system now includes voice activation as well. Four new clear coat exteriors--Dark Blue Ink Metallic, Moss Green Metallic, Vapor Silver Metallic, and White Suede--join the palette of colors.

The 2006 Lincoln Zephyr becomes the Lincoln MKZ for 2007. Besides the nameplate change, there's big news under the hood. Ford's 3.5L Duratec V6 engine boosts this mid-size sedan's propulsion power to 263 horsepower. The suspension strikes a better balance between ride and handling than the 2006 Zephyr, and an all-wheel-drive variant joins the fold.