New for 2017

The 2017 Lincoln MKZ gets a substantial update, with new styling, an available 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, and more.

A Luxury Sedan Worthy of the Lincoln Name

Lincoln as once one of the great luxury brands, and the 2017 MKZ sedan proves it can be again. Based on a version that debuted for the 2014 model year but heavily revised, the MKZ offers a different type of luxury experience to the dominant German brands. It’s powerful and surefooted, but is much more concerned with keeping its occupants comfortable and relaxed. It recalls the luxury cars from Lincoln’s glory days.

Powertrains and Performance

The current MKZ has always been a solid and serene luxury car in the Lincoln tradition, but for 2017 it gets an extra dose of performance. Headlining the upgrades is a new 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine shared with Lincoln’s Continental flagship. This engine produces 350 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque with the standard front-wheel drive, or 400 hp and an identical 400 lb-ft with optional all-wheel drive.

Add the Driver’s Package, and the all-wheel drive system gets a torque-vectoring feature that sends extra power to the outside rear wheel during cornering, helping to rotate the car around bends. The Driver’s Package also includes adaptive suspension that can change settings for different driving conditions. This is controlled via the Lincoln Drive Control unit, which includes comfort, normal, and sport modes. These modes also affect the character of the electric power steering.

For buyers wanting maximum fuel efficiency, Lincoln has other options as well. The MKZ is still available with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which produces 245 hp and is offered only with front-wheel drive. The MKZ Hybrid returns as well, although Lincoln hasn’t confirmed any details about this model. The 2016 MKZ Hybrid uses a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder, electric motor, and 1.4-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, with a total system output of 188 hp.

EPA fuel economy ratings for the various 2017 Lincoln MKZ models will be published closer to launch, but the availability of a hybrid powertrain would seem to give the MKZ an advantage over most other luxury sedans.

Features and Trims

The 2017 Lincoln MKZ is a four-door, five-seat luxury sedan. Pricing and a detailed list of trim levels and equipment will be published closer to the refreshed model’s launch this summer.

It may be based on the Ford Fusion, but the 2017 MKZ will be elevated far above that more mainstream model in terms of equipment. Some of the available features will include leather seating, a panoramic glass roof, Revel premium audio system, and touchscreen infotainment system.

The available Driver’s Package includes 19-inch wheels, Ebony-painted brake calipers, light Magnetic-painted grille, Ebony interior with carbon fiver appliqués, customizable multi-contour seats, and aluminum pedal covers. This package also adds the previously mentioned torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, and adaptive suspension.

The MKZ will also be the latest Lincoln model to get the Black Label treatment. This garners a greater level of personal attention for customers and more-exclusive interior design themes. Called Chalet, Vineyard, and Thoroughbred, they give the interior a more distinctive look.

Design

The biggest apparent change to the 2017 Lincoln MKZ is likely in the realm of styling. The previous MKZ had a distinctive look, but Lincoln is changing directions with a new styling theme inspired by the well-received Continental. The result is a car that has even less in common with its Ford Fusion cousin.

Because this is a mid-cycle refresh, the styling changes combine new elements with some aspects of the outgoing MKZ, and it all works out rather well. The sleek roofline and elegant taillights remain, but at the front there’s an entirely new face. The grille and headlights are bolder and more upright. The headlights feature LED elements that give the MKZ a light “signature” like those adopted by other car brands. Take a closer look at the grille, and you’ll notice the mesh is made up of repeating outlines of the Lincoln emblem.

The interior also gets a major overhaul. Lincoln says engineers paid particular attention to the sound and feel of the new switches and dials, which replace slider adjustments for climate and audio controls. Commonly used buttons and USB ports were also moved to make them easier to access. The doors were also specially designed for optimal placement of the available Revel audio system’s speakers.

But what’s the point of an ergonomic interior if it isn’t comfortable and nice to look at, too? The center console flows downward from the dashboard to the central tunnel, making a statement while moving the touchscreen display and other important controls closer to the driver. Naturally, there’s lots of leather, and the optional Black Label design themes add even more high-end materials.

Safety

Standard safety equipment on the 2017 Lincoln MKZ includes anti-lock brakes, stability and traction controls, and a full array of airbags. Optional features include adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, an auto hold feature that keeps the car stationary without the need to depress the brake pedal, park assist, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection.

Bottom Line

The 2017 Lincoln MKZ gains some significant updates that make it a much more appealing luxury sedan.

Be sure to contact us online or visit 3Birds Template at 505 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill, NC 27516 to schedule a test drive.

Image: Lincoln