2018 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid -Test Drive, Spec, Rating, Price
The Lincoln MKZ Hitting the Sweet Spot
The hybrid shopping lane isn’t exactly where you would find bargains. A Honda Accord, or Toyota Camry hybrid will set you back in the mere $40k range . Lincoln’s sales mission is to convince you that the Lincoln MKZ hybrid makes things just that much sweeter for an extra whopping $20k.
If you’ve contemplated either, the first and foremost questions you might ask is, why the Lincoln MKZ? With the majority of hybrids crushing out nearly the same performance numbers, it’s even harder to justify the added cost. But with just a bit of effort to spot the differences, I think the Lincoln MKZ makes up for its price point. A bit of effort to spot the difference will easily reveal the MKZ as a rock solid hybrid.
Modern Flare
On the outside, the Lincoln MKZ retains its signature looks, but with a much added flare to the now woven style chrome front grille that shares the same looks as the $80K Continental bigger brother.
Where things get interesting is the sloping rooftop silhouette with its rear side vertexes converging into the rear trunk lines. Its low hanging side skirts, short trunk dimensions, and various chrome emblems give the Lincoln MKZ a bold stance with a mixed inspiration of luxury and performance.
The inside’s even better
Where you can appreciate most in the Lincoln MKZ is the interior cabin space. All panel materials are layered with ultra dense and quality material with an overall black color congruence accustomed with mahogany wood. The seats are obviously where you spend the most time in a car, and the Lincoln MKZ made the best out of them with its dubbed “leather seating surfaces”. And speaking of which, they are as comfortable as any seats you’ll find in the luxury class. And the leather grade matches that with the expectation of upper class – smooth, soft and elegant to both looks and touch.
When speaking of hybrids in general, a significant portion of its costs is contributed to the added complexity of the powertrain. That leaves little budget for a decent interior in which most are dark, gloomy and boring. That’s not true with the MKZ. Now offered in a cream leather interior coupled with a panoramic sunroof brightens up the interior, making into a much more luxurious feel.
The sweetness doesn’t end there. The entire panoramic sunroof sheet glass retracts, offering a convertible-like experience – a definite unique and enjoyable luxury feature to have.
Center console in the LIncoln MKZ is the most streamline layout you will possibly find with virtually no protruding buttons or knobs. The end result is a solid one piece panel that seamlessly flows from the top of the center heating vents all the way down to the arm rest. And this is made possible with its clever vertical PRNDL button layout grabbing onto the side of the center instrument panel.
An exclusive feature to the Lincoln MKZ is the THX II audio system. What’s unique about this audio system is its integrated center speaker capable of delivering a much richer mid-range sound dynamics and a high quality audio experience.
No car is perfect, and none will ever be. The rear sloping silhouette does gives the Lincoln MKZ a strikingly bold look, but compromises the rear seat headroom.
Strangely enough, Lincoln missed a few easily fixable quirks that crept up on our radar. To name a few, button control on the steering wheel feels like very cheap plastic and the electric park brake lever is awkwardly placed under driver’s fire well with the lever part pulled out from Ford’s reject inventory bin.
Powertrain Configuration
Torque factory remains identical to the Ford Fusion Hybrid powertrain. Under the hood lies Ford’s relished 2.0L I-4 Atkinson cycle engine producing a net 188 horsepower. What’s new and improved from last year’s hybrid powertrain design is the 1.4kWh lithium ion battery pack whose technology proves to be lighter and and more reliable. Lincoln press claims that with the new battery pack, the MKZ can travel up to 85 mph on full electric mode. As enticing as the numbers look, rarely would you ever achieve this specification feat as you would have to accelerate ever so slowly. But during our drive, we did notice the Lincoln MKZ was very capable in retaining itself in EV mode despite its minute battery pack.
To go Hybrid or Not
Interestingly, the starting price point for the gasoline and hybrid powertrain configuration are both exactly the same (for the 2.0l 4 cylinder engine). Engine configuration is offered in 2 flavors – a 2.0L I-4 Ecoboost engine producing 231 and 270 ft.lbs of torque and a more fiesty 3.7l V6 producing 300 horsepower and 277 ft.lbs of torque. The obvious question lies in whether you are willing to compromise power over fuel efficiency.
We haven’t test drove a gasoline powered Lincoln MKZ, but from our experience with the Ford Fusion, you can expect more power from low speed acceleration but with torque-gasm quickly depreciating. Looking at the engine specs, the larger 3.7l engine actually only has 7 ft-lbs of torque, so the fun factor isn’t much better either; although you’ll be able to hit higher speed ranges within a shorter period.
Driving Impressions and Final Thoughts
Because the powertrain configuration is shared between the Ford Fusion, the Lincoln MKZ have very similar driving characteristics. But there is a substantial improvement in both drivability and handling in the Lincoln MKZ. This is made possible thanks to its dynamically controlled suspension damping system. In addition to that, the on-board electric power steering sytem is also finer tuned to accommodate the new suspension setup.
In our review on the Ford Fusion, the suspensions were simply not up to snuff with an overall lazy damping characteristics offering compasthetic comfort level while struggling with handling and agility. What you can expect from the duo-technology upgrade in the Lincon MKZ is substantially improved drive comfort with sharper handling. Steering precision is also improved with a good heavy feel to it. The Lincoln MKZ does lack a bit in terms of agility, and the added 1.4Kwh lithium ion battery pack is mostly to be blamed. Test driving the agility aspects of the Lincoln MKZ would be an interesting experiment with a lighter gasoline powered powertrain.
So the bottom final question is, do I think the Lincoln MKZ is worth the extra 10k on top of the Ford Fusion Hybrid? My answer is a definitive yes. Everything from the quality to looks are well executed in the Lincoln MKZ, and it very much deserves the luxury badge. I really enjoyed the ultra solid interior and exceptional ride comfort and handling. The combination of pure EV mode and interior sound isolation blocks out any undesirable wind and road noise were also factors added to the positive driving experience. But ultimately, what I appreciated most were the exotic looks with its massive retractable panoramic sunroof. The Lincoln MKZ has both the looks and feel, and that’s exactly what won my heart.
Specifications
- Vehicle : 2018 Lincoln MKZ
- Model : MKZ Hybrid
- Price as Tested : $62,350
- Vehicle Type : Luxury Sedan
- Seating Capacity : 2+3
- Powertrain Configuration : FWD
- Engine : 2.0L I4 HEV Engine
- Transmission : E-CVT
- Horsepower : 188 Hp (Net)
- Torque: 129 lb.ft @ 400 RPM
- Fuel Economy: 41/39/40 city/highway/combined
- Wheelbase : 112.2″
- Height : 58.1″
- Width : 73.4″
- Additional Features : MyLincoln Touch Infotainment addon, Front and Rear proximity sensing system, Rearview Camera, Panoramic Sunroof
Pros
- Exotic looks inside out
- Superior and durable interior quality in cabin space
- Good balance of drive comfort and handling thanks to dynamic damping suspension system.
- Awesome panoramic retractable sunroof
- Amazing sound quality thanks to THX audio system.
Cons
- Expensive. Tested model is priced in at 50k
- Minor quirks with steering wheel buttons and park brake interface
- Diminished headroom in rear seats.
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