Her and His Reviews
June 2014
2014 Lincoln MKZ
Hybrid Sedan
There are always two sides to everything, right? Well, the truth is there are many more than that!
To keep our car reviews innovative and well-rounded, we are providing you with not just one, but two points of view on the same exact vehicle –
Her and His perspectives.
Her: Anne Fleming, Car Buying Advocate, women-drivers.com
His: Don Hammonds, Writer, AutomobileJournal.com
| HER | HIS |
|---|---|
| Price | |
| $36,190 Base retail | $36,190 |
| Performance | |
| This all new Lincoln MKZ Hybrid 6 speed with 6 horses is a delight. Good handling, good power and pretty responsive on the bends. | Our car was a hybrid, so it was powered by a 2.0 liter I-4 with the electric hybrid system, both of which combined to provide 188 horsepower. The transmission was a six speed automatic continuously variable transmission. |
| Fuel Economy | |
| 45 city miles and 45 highway miles | The ratings for the hybrid model for fuel economy are 45 city, 45 highway, and 45 combined. By buying this car you save a whopping $5,750 in fuel costs over a five year period. Cost estimates area are based on 15,000 miles a a year at $3.50 a gallon. Annual fuel cost is $1,150 a year. Other engines available for the Lincoln MKZ gasoline powered version include a 2.0 liter turbocharged four with 240 horsepower, and a 3.7 liter V6, producing 300 horsepower. |
| The Car | |
| There remains an enormous challenge to the Lincoln brand and certainly to the flagship MKZ. Its style points have improved greatly over the past few years. However, it is in a challenging mid-luxury market with other stronger brands and models. Lincoln has come out of the gate this year with great, no - exceptional TV spots that really showcasing how this product takes on its counter models. Bravo. As a hybrid it performs exceptionally in its class. As a luxury vehicle, there is still room to go and to improve. | I can't think of a single piece of usable new technology that this car does not have, and if Lincoln officials are looking for a new way to sell it, that�s the angle to use as far as I am concerned. When you enter this car, you notice the unusual contour of the seats, the sweeping dashboard and console that look as though they belong in one of Ford Motor Company's showcase concept car. Now where's the key hole? You might wonder. Well, there isn't one. There's a push button to start the car, and when you do so, you're not going to hear much of anything to indicate the car is running, at least if you are driving the hybrid version. Thankfully, Lincoln has provided you with a little dashboard heads up to let you know it is now safe to drive off. Okay, but where's the shifter? It shifts via push button-there's one button for each gear, and just select whichever one you prefer. It�s the first production car in I don't know how long to rely on push buttons for gear changing. Other cars use round knobs and gizmos, some use electronic shifters, but this one uses buttons. Cool! Another futuristic feature for Lincoln. Then there are the other things like a regenerative brake system, hill start assist, perimeter anti theft system, electronic parking brake, active noise control, reverse sensing system, navigation system, BLIS with cross traffic alert, active parking assist that allows the car to park itself, and on and on. I say let the other luxury brands position themselves as they will, but it makes sense to pitch the Lincoln MKZ to those discriminating few who believe a luxury car is far more than a bunch of bling, a frighteningly fast engine, and every creature comfort imaginable. It is also a type of car which should have-as Lincoln has- the latest in technology to offer safety, convenience and pleasure. |
| Safety | |
| The MKZ has all ta solid foundations of safety features including all the Air Bags, 4 wheel ABS, Traction Control, Brake Assist, Reverse sensing system, Electronic parking Brank, Disc Brakes, Lane Departure Warning (huge) and Blind Spot Monitor. | Pretty much the expected safety equipment, nothing dramatically different from what's offered elsewhere. |
| Technology | |
| Satellite radio, Hill Start Assist, Navigation system - the Infotainment system is not entirely user friendly - fumbled with it for quite some time. | Base price was $36,190, which includes much of the aforementioned equipment except for the traffic alert system, navigation, technology system, rear view video camera, etc. Standard equipment also includes adaptive LED headlamps, heated mirrors, split wing grille, Sync with Lincoln Touch, satellite radio, anti-lock braking system, traction control, hill start assist, and a host of air bags, among other things. |
| Aesthetics & Styling | |
| Again, attractive car. Not out to be the leader at all. Work to do. Interior is nice, not major bling, well laid out. Leg room in back and storage area in trunk are a bit downsized. | Pretty fabulous looking, I think. Very contemporary, which is surely what this car is, very minimalist fashionable, and likely to wear well for years to come. And it is NOT identical to the Fusion in any way, shape, or form. |
| Warranty | |
| 4 year/50,000 mile bumper to bumper. 6 year/70,000 mile powertrain. 2 years or 24,000 miles of scheduled maintenance is gratis. 24 hour roadside assistance. | The Lincoln MKZ comes with the Lincoln Commitment Owner Benefits Package which includes a four year/50,000 miles bumper to bumper warranty, six year, 70,000 mile powertrain warranty, 6 year, 70,000 mile 24 hour roadside assistance, and complimentary scheduled maintenance for two years or 24,00 miles. |
