The days of personal land yachts met their demise long ago, replaced by smaller, more fuel-efficient variants. It’s taken sometime for those replacements to hit their stride in becoming true luxury vehicles, such is the case with Lincoln’s MKZ.
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| My tester was tagged at $49,279 due primarily to a Navigation Package and a Sport Appearance package. |
More dignified for 2010The
2010 MKZ has undergone significant revision to bring it into the Lincoln fold aesthetically, as well as in quality, luxury and performance; all of those elements were addressed by the 2010 project team.
The vehicle’s new winged-grille design is resurrected from early Lincoln history, and now ties the family together visually. New LED taillights emphasize the vehicle’s width and again the distinctive Lincoln character.
Along with exterior modifications, a new cabin design has done away with the 1960s avant-garde look, as I saw it, dominating the earlier MKZ cabin. Despite the improved materials in use, including real aluminum and wood trim, the dashboard and instrument panel don’t inspire me greatly.
Some controls such as heating and cooling are now simpler to use and the back lit gauges look bright and clear day or night but the overall package leaves me content rather than hyped, front seats excluded. The wonderfully supportive, heated and cooled front perches in the MKZ are now shod in the finest leather, sourced from Bridge of Weir of the UK.
Improved operational refinementIn an effort to improve operational refinement, engineers attacked all sound-deadening elements within the MKZ’s structure with the goal of ensuring that the 2010 version spoiled its occupants with an even quieter automotive experience.
There’s no argument that MKZ is now a notably quiet, refined operator but the attendant engineers weren’t just after silence; they also focused on creating a full-throttle auditory experience that communicates power and polish.
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| Along with exterior modifications, a new cabin design has done away with the 1960s avant-garde look. |
After a few good romps down highway on-ramps, I must congratulate those responsible for their tremendous success. The 2010 MKZ serves-up a baritone chorus that may be one of the sweetest V6 signatures in any, otherwise near silent, luxury ride.
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| Ford’s workhorse develops 263 horsepower @ 6,250 rpm and 249 pound-feet of torque @ 4,500 rpm. |
Revised suspension for 2010The MKZ’s rear suspension arrangement has been modified for 2010 to enhance ride comfort and handling ability. Without a back-to-back comparison, it’s hard to comment on the benefit derived but it’s easy to comment on the smooth ride and secure handling demonstrated by this week’s tester.
The 2010 MKZ AWD feels completely at home on the highway and through the twisted roads of the Canadian outback. The ride is absorbent, composed and stable with little float or excessive bounce. Lest we forget, the MKZ is more of a luxo car than a performance car, and there’s no shame in that.
Critics may argue that
Cadillac’s CTS is more athletic in the curves, and that’s fine to conclude. In reality though, how many drivers of premium sedans are looking for that sort of Herculean cornering might?
Personally, I’d choose competent handling and a luscious ride over pavement-searing performance coupled with a rigid ride any day when it comes to a premium entry-level luxury sedan.
AWD is delightfulWith the vast improvement in all-wheel-drive (AWD) technology over the past few decades, I’ve become quite a convert despite the slight increase in
fuel consumption they compel. Perhaps it has to do with an intrinsic dislike of front-wheel-drive (FWD) or the rainforest climate that I endure daily but AWD tops my hierarchy of automotive needs – or thereabouts.
The AWD setup in my tester meant that none of the capability of its 3.5-litre DOHC Duratec V6 was lost to spinning wheels when the throttle was buried irrespective of wet or dry conditions. As with last year, Ford’s workhorse develops 263 horsepower @ 6,250 rpm and 249 pound-feet of torque @ 4,500 rpm.
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| The MKZ’s rear suspension arrangement has been modified for 2010 to enhance ride comfort and handling ability. |
New for this year is a six-speed autobox featuring SelectShift, electronic manual-mode shifting. This provision allows much more driver input and participation in the driving experience, which was missing previously.
This drivetrain duo is rated at 12.6 and 8.3L/100km city and highway driving respectively. Although its fuel efficiency is bound to improve once fully broken-in, according to my tester’s onboard computer it wasn’t faring so well at 15L/100km. Okay, you’ve got me; my driving style may have a causal affect.
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| The 2010 MKZ has undergone significant revision to bring it into the Lincoln fold. |
MKZ wrappedThe 2010 Lincoln MKZ may not be the hotrod Lincoln of lore but it’s a refined, entry-level luxury sedan that offers outstanding comfort and driving satisfaction plus AWD traction at an attractive price.
Although my completely loaded tester was tagged at $49,279 due primarily to a
Navigation Package and a Sport Appearance package, a well-equipped base MKZ with AWD heads out the showroom door for a reasonable $41,699.
Given its many inherent pleasures and the upgrades for 2010, the new MKZ AWD shouldn’t be overlooked by value seekers in the premium sedan market.
photo:Rob Rothwell
