Road Test: 2010 Lincoln MKZ
Yesterday, on a foggy morning at The Montage Laguna Beach, I road tested the brand new 2010 Lincoln MKZ. The question on this Lincoln driving day was: Has this full-sized luxury sedan evolved enough to compete with Lexus, Infiniti and Cadillac?
My answer is: maybe. Truly, the interior of the 2010 Lincoln MKZ has transformed into a more curvy, more pleasing and just plain gorgeous. Bravo Lincoln designers!
What about performance? Did Lincoln’s powertrain, acoustic and other countless engineers build an integrated platform to outshine the Lexus E350? I’m not so sure. What I do know after driving the 2010 Lincoln MKZ about 25 miles through hilly and curvy California countryside is that the 2010 edition is a fun-to-drive car.
First off, however, the Lincoln folks had us auto journalists drive the 2009 Lincoln MKZ. I was taken aback by the 2009 model’s stark and way-too-linear dash and central console. Hideous! As a woman, I like curves and these straight lines just didn’t get my engine running at all. On a 10-minute drive through gorgeous Laguna Beach, I thought the performance was above average except for the annoyingly belabored steering.
It seemed, after a lovely buffet lunch overlooking perhaps the best ocean view anywhere, the Lincoln execs were trying to help us understand that they had really made drastic changes to this third- generation 2010 Lincoln MKZ. (The MKZ first debuted in 2006.)
“Changes for the better, I hope!” I wrote in my notebook, while supping on The Montage’s most delicious lobster chowder.
After road testing the vehicle all afternoon, I have to report that the 2010 Lincoln MKZ has definitely arrived as one of America’s best luxury sedans. Over time, the 2010 Lincoln MKS may even end up an overall good value starting at around $35,000 for its dependability legacy, the re-tooled gorgeous interior, performance enhancements, great comfort, exterior beauty and extreme quietness.
Driving through hilly and curvy Ortega Highway from Laguna Beach to Lake Elsinore, I found the previous steering problem to be eliminated. The acceleration on the 2010 Lincoln MKZ’s 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 is fast (0-60 mph in 7.1 seconds), the braking is responsive and the overall driving feel is powerfully pleasant. Plus, the fuel economy is excellent at 27 mpg highway and 18 mpg city (the AWD model varies a bit at 24 mpg highway and 17 mpg city).
One Lincoln exec described the 2010 Lincoln MKZ experience as has having the “comfort and convenience of a second home on wheels.” I’m not so sure about that, although I do love the eight-inch flat screen, recliner-like leather seats and THX audio system. To truly be a mobile lounge, the 2010 Lincoln MKZ needs a few old-fashioned 220-volt plugs, a newfangled wireless connection, a small refrigerator, more cup holders, super reclining seats and rear seat entertainment system with glare screens. Now that’s a living room/office on wheels!
Still, for today, the 2010 Lincoln MKZ does bring a high level of comfort and technology. The car’s super cool eight-inch flat screen is highly integrated for audio, navigation and other advanced features like weather forecasting and real-time traffic with SIRIUS TravelLink. Ford’s SYNC system allows drivers to download their mobile device’s contact and music lists for totally simple, hands-free use.
I drove the fully-loaded luxury model of the 2010 Lincoln MKZ and I did enjoy all of its over-the-top luxury features, especially the cooled (and heated) front seats, the SIRIUS TravelLink with SYNC, the THX audio system, the rain-sensing wipers, the voice-activated navigation and the new blind spot information system with cross traffic alert.
After we returned from our mountainous journey in the 2010 Lincoln MKZ, we were taken to a grassy knoll overlooking the Pacific’s crashing waves to check out the all-new Lincoln MKT (the “T” stands for transporter). I was impressed by both the lush interior and the ballsy exterior of the Lincoln MKT’s passenger car/CUV hatchback combo (much like Toyota’s Venza). Bravo Lincoln on the MKT!
Sheryll Alexander is a lifestyles writer based in Costa Mesa, Calif.
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