Lincoln is a brand of opposites. The vehicle line-up, with five nameplates, attempts to cater to a large portion of the luxury car market with everything from a mid-size car to a full-size SUV. As the large vehicle craze is slowly but surely losing steam, this leaves two products in the portfolio to seriously consider.
One is the MKX, a very popular crossover and the other, a yet to be truly appreciated car, the MKZ. I say appreciated because it lives in the shadow of another medium-sized luxury car, the Lexus ES 350, which is not offered with a hybrid alternative, and truly because the MKZ, especially in hybrid form, is more than the sum of its parts.
I'm not going to pretend and say that these cars are aimed at the young and very active. That would be like saying Joan Rivers has never had cosmetic surgery. The Lincoln MKZ draws admiring looks from the older crowd. Now, I've not yet gotten there myself and should I be so lucky, I too will want a relaxing and cozy retirement. I do know that many people, as they reach a certain age after having worked all their lives, raised children and paid mortgages are looking to reward themselves with nicer things.
There are many ways to make yourself feel good: going on trips, eating at fancy restaurants and, perhaps the biggest payoff for a lifetime of hard toil, purchasing a new car. Over the years, I've been asked by family and friends what they should buy now that all they really require is comfort, peace of mind and a tad of luxury. The Lincoln MKZ delivers on all these points.
Generally conservative, the MKZ, like all Lincoln products, is distinguishable thanks to its large chromed waterfall grille. The only other noteworthy aspect of the car, and likely the only one to receive negative comments, is the taillight cluster. They are quite large and seem out of place on this smaller car. Like the front fascia, similar examples are found on other Lincolns.
The cabin is a reflection of the car's exterior shell: simple. The entire dashboard consist of a few narrow bars of controls, ergonomically positioned on what is no more than a big “T” made with nice plastics and genuine wood inserts. Along with leather-covered perches, these elements bring a touch of class to a very neutral, yet pleasant, environment.
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| The Lincoln MKZ draws admiring looks from the older crowd. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com) |
One is the MKX, a very popular crossover and the other, a yet to be truly appreciated car, the MKZ. I say appreciated because it lives in the shadow of another medium-sized luxury car, the Lexus ES 350, which is not offered with a hybrid alternative, and truly because the MKZ, especially in hybrid form, is more than the sum of its parts.
I'm not going to pretend and say that these cars are aimed at the young and very active. That would be like saying Joan Rivers has never had cosmetic surgery. The Lincoln MKZ draws admiring looks from the older crowd. Now, I've not yet gotten there myself and should I be so lucky, I too will want a relaxing and cozy retirement. I do know that many people, as they reach a certain age after having worked all their lives, raised children and paid mortgages are looking to reward themselves with nicer things.
There are many ways to make yourself feel good: going on trips, eating at fancy restaurants and, perhaps the biggest payoff for a lifetime of hard toil, purchasing a new car. Over the years, I've been asked by family and friends what they should buy now that all they really require is comfort, peace of mind and a tad of luxury. The Lincoln MKZ delivers on all these points.
Generally conservative, the MKZ, like all Lincoln products, is distinguishable thanks to its large chromed waterfall grille. The only other noteworthy aspect of the car, and likely the only one to receive negative comments, is the taillight cluster. They are quite large and seem out of place on this smaller car. Like the front fascia, similar examples are found on other Lincolns.
The cabin is a reflection of the car's exterior shell: simple. The entire dashboard consist of a few narrow bars of controls, ergonomically positioned on what is no more than a big “T” made with nice plastics and genuine wood inserts. Along with leather-covered perches, these elements bring a touch of class to a very neutral, yet pleasant, environment.
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| The entire dashboard consist of a few narrow bars of controls, ergonomically positioned on what is no more than a big “T” made with nice plastics and genuine wood inserts. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com) |