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2013 Lincoln MKZ: What Is It?

MKZ is the gateway into the Lincoln brand. This premium-midsize car borrows some elements of its basic design with the mainstream Fusion produced by parent-company Ford. The Lincoln, though, boasts unique styling, powertrains, and features. MKZ is made in Mexico.

2013 Lincoln MKZ: What’s New

Lincoln is rebooting its entry-level car for 2013. It gets radically new styling, new and improved safety equipment, and various technology upgrades. Fuel economy is also projected to improve thanks to new engines that employ efficiency-boosting features. A revamped gas/electric Hybrid model promises to be the most fuel efficient premium-midsize car on the market.

2013 Lincoln MKZ: Model Lineup, Features, and Options

A complete model and feature lineup was unavailable at time of writing, but here’s what we do know.

Standard features include heated front seats, 11-speaker audio system, remote engine start, and Lincoln’s new Active Noise Control, which uses sensors and microphones to quell road and wind noise. Also standard is an adaptive suspension, which employs sensors to “read” the road and adjust damping accordingly. Drivers can select from Normal, Comfort, and Sport settings.

All MKZs have Lincoln’s version of Ford Sync infotainment, and a navigation system is optional. Also offered is a panoramic glass roof panel that Lincoln says has one of the largest openings of any production sedan.

2013 Lincoln MKZ: Engines, Transmissions, and Drive Wheels

MKZ’s drivetrains are new. Non-hybrid buyers will have the choice of a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder or 3.7-liter V6 engine, producing an estimated 240 and 300 horsepower, respectively. Both engines pair with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional.

Hybrids are front drive only. They use a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and battery-powered electric motor to produce an estimated 188 horsepower. Like the previous MKZ Hybrid, the 2013 model can run on one or both of its power sources to balance acceleration and fuel economy, and no plug-in charging is needed. The Hybrid uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that behaves like an automatic.

2013 Lincoln MKZ: Fuel Economy

EPA estimated fuel economy for the 2013 Lincoln MKZ was not available at time of writing. Ford thinks a front-drive non-hybrid 4-cylinder model will achieve 22 mpg city/33 mpg highway while an AWD V6 will rate 18/26.

All MKZs will use regular-grade gasoline.

2013 Lincoln MKZ: Safety Features

The 2013 MKZ has a standard complement of expected and federally mandated safety features. Blind-spot alert and lane-departure warning and prevention are new features that will be optional.

We have not yet tested the 2013 Lincoln MKZ.

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