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.
Revised suspension for 2010
The 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 delightful
With 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.
 |
| Ford’s workhorse develops 263 horsepower @ 6,250 rpm and 249 pound-feet of torque @ 4,500 rpm. |
Revised suspension for 2010
The 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 delightful
With 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.
 |
| The MKZ’s rear suspension arrangement has been modified for 2010 to enhance ride comfort and handling ability. |