2010 Lincoln MKZ

BY STEVE SILER, PHOTOGRAPHY BY FOREST CASEY, ERIK JOHNSON, AND THE MANUFACTURER

For its first several years, we saw Lincoln’s Mazda 6-based Zephyr/MKZ as little more than the cheapest way into Ford’s most prestigious American brand. With a milquetoast powertrain and a softened suspension that took much of the fun out of the innately sharp mid-size sedan platform, the MKZ also spawned the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, and a few crossovers.

For 2010, however, extensive changes have turned the MKZ into a considerably more appealing proposition. Alterations to the styling, transmission, and especially the interior could render it—at least until the upmarket MKS gets a power injection—the most appealing car in Lincoln’s lineup.

First the obvious: the MKZ looks no less than 6000 times better than before. The deep twin-port grille, high-set headlamps, chamfered hood, and chrome detailing around the lower fascia reflect a slightly more reverent incarnation of the sexy MKR concept car than what’s found on the MKS. In back, horizontal LED taillamps emphasize the vehicle’s width and are far more distinctive than those of both the outgoing model and the MKS. A new Sport package brings darkened headlamps, grille slats, and 18-inch chrome wheels. Also, various Lincoln stars on each side shine with newfound bravado.

The MKZ’s interior is virtually unrecognizable next to last year’s model. Soft-touch materials abound, and the electroluminescent instruments use a sexy, thin font to convey their tidbits of information. New for the MKZ is Ford’s Sync system, a multimedia interface developed by Microsoft. But the best part of the interior is a tie between the use of better real materials (i.e. real wood and aluminum trim) and the fitment of glove-soft Bridge of Weir leather on the seating surfaces.

The styling enhancements go a long way to mask the previous-gen Mazda 6 underneath, but we’ll have to wait to see to what extent the dynamics have changed. Lincoln’s ride and handling balance is traditionally set between numb and comatose, so the news that the aforementioned Sport package also brings stiffer springs and larger stabilizer bars is exciting. Unfortunately, Lincoln did confirm that the MKZ will not be made available with the hot, upcoming EcoBoost turbocharged V-6 that is expected to deliver 340 horsepower under the hood of the bigger MKS. But the good news is that Ford’s ubiquitous 3.5-liter V-6, which makes 263 horsepower and 249 lb-ft of torque in the MKZ, comes mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control, and may still be paired with all-wheel drive. Incidentally, Lincoln also claims to have tuned the engine note for more pleasant full-throttle noise and a distinct lack of such when off-throttle. Zero to 60 mph is said to take about seven seconds, making it six tenths quicker than the 2009.

The MKZ also debuts Ford’s cool new Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) which now includes Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) that uses the rear cameras to detect cross traffic within 65 feet when reversing out of tight parking spots. It will be part of an option package, though we won’t know how much it—or the MKZ, for that matter—will cost until closer to its early 2009 on-sale date.

Though we haven’t driven the new MKZ yet, we have driven the larger, Volvo S80-based MKS and came out none too impressed. We have somewhat higher expectations for the MKZ and look forward to seeing how close Lincoln comes to fulfilling them.

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