Join RoadflyTV fan-favorite Jessi Lang as she details the key changes and offerings from the ’10 Lincoln MKZ, the often overlooked upscale version of the Ford Fusion. Needless to say, she was pleasantly surprised with the recent MKZ changes that yielded a more elegant vehicle with smoother handling.
The 2010 MKZ brings a lot more to the table, from the modernized interior to the revised exterior. Even the suspension has been tweaked to provide better ride comfort and handling. For the interior, a new gauge cluster replaces the old boxy style and the all-encompassing multimedia system allows for a bit of personalization. But with the good comes the bad, and the MKZ is not immune to this saying. The steering wheel controls and center console accessibility are not driver friendly, so if you are easily distracted, you may want to memorize their locations as the layout may will require you to take your eyes off the road.
The Lincoln MKZ is powered by a 3.5L V6 paired to a six-speed automatic with SelectShift, the manual shift control system. The V6 produces 263 horsepower and 249 lb-ft of torque, doing 0-60 in 7.1 seconds. Unfortunately, in this day in age, the fuel economy is not a hair above average, with 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway projected.
Starting at $34,225 and an as-tested price of $43,245, the Lincoln MKZ has features that make it a vehicle worth considering. With the blind spot indicators, cross traffic alert system, and the optional sport package, the MKZ is worth a second look by buyers who want to support an American manufacturer while also getting something a little out of the norm (i.e. not your standard Accord or Avalon), and something a step above the base standards (i.e. not a Ford Fusion) without breaking the bank.