2009 Lincoln MKZ - A Sedan With Sensible Luxury

The 2009 Lincoln's MKZ is an entry level sedan that has dynamic American luxury styling with features only found on cars costing thousands more.  The bottom line with the MKZ is it's an excellent value.  The 2009 MKZ competes with entry-level vehicles like the Lexus ES and Cadillac CTS and is available with all-wheel drive and has standard heated and cooled front seats and a hands-free communication and entertainment system.   For 2009 the MKZ adds a standard electronic stability system and new paint colors. Besides this, it is unchanged.  The main downsides to the MKZ are in its cabin, center control panel ergonomics are off and there is a nonsensical button color/backlighting scheme.  The benefits however are many; the MKZ has distinctive front styling, a high performance potential, six airbags, and a luxurious interior. The 2009 Lincoln MKZ has an EPA Fuel Economy of 17 - 18 mpg through the city and 24 - 28 mpg on the highway.  It has a starting MSRP of $32,695 - $34,585.

Lincoln Power

The 2009 MKZ has one transmission, a six-speed automatic. The MKZ is powered by a 263-hp 3.5-liter V6 with a six-speed automatic transmission, and is offered in both front and all-wheel drive.  The 3.5-liter V-6 puts out 249 pounds-feet of torque.  Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive available.

MKZ Drive

The steering of the MKZ has a hefty weight to it, which in turn gives it a positive, satisfying response. The brake pedal has a nice, progressive feel, and the brakes deliver more stopping power than needed.  All-wheel drive is a great option for areas with snow or ice, and the MKZ handles well in these conditions. The Lincoln's 3.5-liter engine delivers great acceleration.  This is not saying the Lincoln MKZ is a rocket, but for normal everyday driving situations, the MKZ does its job.  The Duratec 3.5-liter is smooth and fairly quiet. The MKZ does not offer a six speed manual transmission.  Also, the control program for a quicker response at low speeds could be improved.  From a dead stop, or when traveling at 50 mph, the transmission works great. But at 10 mph, it lags behind.

Design for 2009

The 2009 MKZ is a stylish sedan typical of Lincoln design.  On the front there are prominent fog lights in along with a thin crossbar across its waterfall grille. It also features rectangular headlights and split taillamps. The MKZ measures 190.5 inches long, making it very similar in size to competitors like the CTS (191.6) and ES (191.1).  To describe the MKZ it would have to be considered rather conservative and proper.  The one exception is its wide chrome grille, which Lincoln is using across its line to instill brand identity. Lincoln's wide, split-waterfall motif first appeared on the 1938 Zephyr, so it's certainly appropriate for the MKZ, originally launched as the Lincoln Zephyr, to wear it. The Lincoln MKZ gets bright-metal accents at the beltline and on the mirror caps, and chromed exhaust tips, giving it some nice shine. Handsome 17-inch wheels contribute to MKZ's purposeful stance.  Available features for the MKZ exterior include eight-spoke design on wheels, heated side mirrors, and standard keyless door locking with keypad.

Inside the Lincoln Cabin

Satin nickel trim adorns the MKZ's interior, and the 60/40-split rear seats fold to provide access to the 15.8-cubic-foot trunk, which is the largest of its competitors. A new Midnight Black special-edition package adds contrasting wood inserts to give the MKZ a different look. Sync, a hands-free communication and entertainment system, comes standard. The system integrates mobile phones and media players using Bluetooth and USB technology.  The cabin of the MKZ is pleasant, convenient and quiet. It gets a much more upscale than that in the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan, which share the MKZ's underpinnings and some major mechanical components. The controls for heating, cooling and the stereo are all easy to find and use. The storage and organizational features are adequate and the navigation system works  well.  The MKZ does include dual-zone automatic climate control and power-adjustable heated and cooled leather front seats, but rather than being over the top in luxury, it is more like purposeful and useful luxury.

MKZ Lineup and Options

The 2008 Lincoln MKZ comes in one trim level, with either front-wheel drive ($30,790) or all-wheel drive ($32,660). Standard equipment includes premium leather heated and cooled front seats, dual-zone temperature control, power adjustable front seats, a six-speaker AM/FM stereo with six-CD changer and redundant controls on the steering wheel, Sirius Satellite Radio, a reverse sensing system, cruise control, power windows and door locks with remote entry and a number pad on the door, 17-inch wheels, and a 60/40 s plit and fold-down rear seat. New for 2008 is Sync, an industry-exclusive, voice-activated hands-free system that fully integrates mobile phones and media players into the vehicle's audio system, using Bluetooth technology and USB connectivity.

Options include a voice-activated DVD-based navigation system ($1,895), Lincoln's high-power THX II audio system ($995), a power moonroof ($1,200), high-intensity discharge headlights ($495), aluminum interior trim ($195), chrome wheels ($895), an engine-block heater ($35), and daytime running lights ($45).

Summary

The MKZ for 2009 is a new road for Lincoln; with the MKZ they strived to create a luxury vehicle designed to engage the driver. The MKZ succeeds, managing the difficult trick of delivering a ride that is generally comfortable with handling that makes it interesting and gratifying to drive quickly on a challenging country road. The Lincoln MKZ has gotten high accolades since it was rolled out for 2007.  It ranked highest in the J.D.Power and Associates Initial Quality Study for Premium Cars.  Its 3.5-liter V6 has been named one of Ward's 10 Best Engines. Its THX II-certified stereo was voted Best Audio by PC Magazine. And its navigation system was ranked No.1 in J.D.Power's 2007 Navigation Usage and Satisfaction Study.  Safety features that come standard include frontal airbags; side-impact air bags for torso protection; curtain-style head protection airbags for all outboard positions; traction control; and antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), which distributes braking force to the tires with the most grip. A tire pressure monitor was added in 2008. To research further, view another review of the 2009 Linkcoln MKZ