Used 2020 Lincoln MKZ

The 2020 MKZ is Lincoln’s answer to luxury sedans like the Lexus ES and Cadillac CT5. It is based on a Ford Fusion, and while the Fusion sedan’s future is hazy, it is hanging on for at least another year and thus so is the MKZ. The Lincoln MKZ isn’t as fresh as the revamped ES or all-new CT5, but it still touts good looks and modern technology and safety features. In this respect, you’ll get an impressive array of standard features, from adaptive cruise control to Apple CarPlay.

The MKZ lineup has been trimmed for 2020, but it is still available with a choice of two gasoline engines — including a twin-turbo V6 that makes up to 400 horsepower — or as a hybrid. With a V6 this Lincoln can be quick, but athleticism isn’t the MKZ’s forte. Its ride manners are more Buick than BMW. One of the MKZ’s most appealing factors is its starting price. At under $37,000 it undercuts rivals such as the Lexus by a bit, though it can’t hold a candle to the Lexus’ resale value.

The Lincoln MKZ is a comfortable and competent premium sedan. With its standard turbocharged 4-cylinder the MKZ won’t exactly wow you with performance, but it is acceptably brisk. Unlike a Lexus ES, the MKZ can also be had with all-wheel drive in lieu of the standard front-wheel drive. If you opt for the twin-turbo V6, you’ll get an MKZ that is deceptively quick.

One recommendation if you do: Get it with all-wheel drive. You’ll get more power (400 horsepower vs. 350 for front-drive V6 models), and you won’t have to deal with as much torque steer. Sending 350 horsepower to the front wheels can make it feel like you’re wrestling with the steering wheel under hard acceleration. If you’re going to go big with the MKZ and its twin-turbo, do it right and get all-wheel drive.

The Lincoln MKZ’s steering system isn’t as substantial or precise as a BMW, but it’s not too far off from those from Acura, Lexus and Volvo. The Lincoln MKZ’s automatic transmission works well behind the scenes, but at only six speeds is showing its age. MKZ hybrid models are even quieter and smoother, and as with most hybrids they use a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that can drone under heavy acceleration.

The MKZ’s cabin is another way in which it trails competitors from Lexus, Audi and Mercedes-Benz. While there are nice touches such as wood and leather in the Reserve model, the MKZ’s overall interior is showing its age and doesn’t raise the bar in this class. You won’t find the fully digital instrument cluster of an Audi or the overall comfort, roominess or cohesiveness of a Lexus ES.

If there are compliments to give, it’s that there is a bevy of physical buttons to control most everything. While there is an 8-inch touch-screen display that sits prominently in the center dash, you don’t have to rely on touch alone to operate functions like climate, audio and the like. Some might say there are too many buttons. Even putting the MKZ in Drive, Park, Neutral or Reverse is operated not by a traditional gear selector but — you guessed it — buttons.

The MKZ’s freshening a few years ago turned its appearance into something resembling the Continental, Lincoln’s large flagship sedan. This is no bad thing. This fresh styling vocabulary is sufficiently uptown in an attempt to compete with Cadillacs, Jaguars and BMWs. Perhaps more important, the MKZ looks distinctively different from the Fusion, the Ford on which it’s based. That hasn’t always been the case with Lincolns and Fords. We like the Lincoln’s sweptback roof and lengthy profile. One especially appealing trait is the MKZ’s optional panoramic retractable roof.

LINCOLN CO-PILOT360
Similar to Ford’s Co-Pilot360 system, this suite bundles important active safety and driver-assistance features including forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. Moreover, the system is standard.

LINCOLN DRIVE CONTROL
Although the MKZ majors in plushness, our inner enthusiast still likes this feature. Like many cars in this class, the MKZ offers selectable driving modes that change throttle responses, gearshift points, steering feel and suspension settings, channeled into Normal, Sport and Comfort. It works exactly as it should.

For 2020 Lincoln has trimmed the MKZ to just two trims for gasoline models and one for the hybrid. For the former, there’s the base model and the MKZ Reserve, while the hybrid is now only available in Reserve form. Thankfully, even a base MKZ has an impressive roster. It includes the Co-Pilot360 system (see Favorite Features), faux-leather upholstery, heated and power-operated front seats, dual-zone climate control, automatic brake hold, adaptive suspension, universal garage remote, and an 8-inch touch-screen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

Lincoln MKZ Reserve models add a genuine leather interior, power-adjustable steering wheel, power trunk with soft-close, a parking-assist feature for getting into and out of parallel spaces, moonroof, a 14-speaker Revel audio system and navigation. All-wheel drive is optional on all MKZ models except the hybrid. The V6 is reserved for Reserve models.

Also optional are ventilated front seats, the panoramic roof, 20-speaker Revel audio, full LED lights and an Easter egg: front seats with a massaging function. For added rear-seat passenger safety, Lincoln offers inflatable seatbelts, while a power-operated rear-window shade is also on the menu. The 2020 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid Reserve pretty much mimics the features in the standard Reserve edition.

The MKZ’s standard engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that makes a healthy 245 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. A hybrid alternative makes a combined 188 horsepower, but Lincoln doesn’t give a total torque figure, which should be advantageous despite the extra weight of the battery pack and electric motor.

The star performer, though, is the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 optional on MKZ Reserve models. Note that the engine makes two different horsepower figures: 350 in front-wheel-drive (FWD) form or 400 in all-wheel drive (AWD). As previously stated, we recommend pairing this powerful engine with the AWD setup, lest you send all that power solely to front wheels. AWD is also optional with the base 4-cylinder engine.

Both conventional engines are paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission; the hybrid employs a CVT. Note that Lincoln says the max power figures are attained using high-grade 93-octane fuel.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
245 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
275 lb-ft of torque @ 3,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/31 mpg (FWD), 20/29 mpg (AWD)

2.0-liter inline-4 and permanent magnet AC synchronous motor (hybrid)
188 net hybrid system horsepower
129 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm (gasoline engine only)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 42/39 mpg

3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6
400 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm (AWD)
350 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm (FWD)
400 lb-ft of torque @ 2,750 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/27 mpg (FWD), 17/26 mpg (AWD)