2017 Lincoln MKZ Review

For decades, American car shoppers have typically gravitated toward European and Japanese brands when it comes to entry-level luxury sedans. Lincoln has been trying to chip away at the market with the uniquely styled MKZ for years now with modest success. For 2017, the MKZ gets a new round of updates that should give it an even better chance of stealing a few luxury buyers who would prefer to buy American if the price and product are right.

The most obvious change to this upscale four-door is a restyled exterior that trades Lincoln's split-wing grille for a new look first introduced by the upcoming Continental full-size sedan. Available LED headlights and LED daytime running lights add character to the car's sleek lines. But it's inside where you'll really appreciate the 2017 MKZ's changes. Gone is the futuristic-looking but ultimately frustrating MyLincoln Touch climate and infotainment interface. In its place is Ford/Lincoln's latest Sync 3 interface, which is quicker and easier to use, and new physical buttons for many of the audio and climate controls.

On the performance front, the 2017 MKZ offers a new engine upgrade. Replacing last year's optional 300-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 is a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. It cranks out 400 horsepower when you order the MKZ with its optional all-wheel-drive system or 350 horsepower with front-wheel drive. Other than dedicated high-performance sedans such as the BMW M3, this is the most power you'll find in this class. If it's fuel economy you're after, though, there's the MKZ Hybrid, which delivers 40 mpg combined for the same price as the regular MKZ.

This year's MKZ is undoubtedly the best yet, but this is a very competitive category with a number of strong contenders worthy of your attention. High on the list of alternatives is the Lexus ES 350 (and related ES 300h hybrid), which stands out with its classy interior design and all-around refinement. If value is a priority, the Acura TLX is a solid choice. And if you're willing to spend a bit more, the redesigned Audi A4 and well-rounded BMW 3 Series are still standouts.

Standard safety features on the 2017 Lincoln MKZ include antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front side-impact airbags, front knee airbags, side curtain airbags, a rearview camera and rear parking sensors. The programmable MyKey system allows parents to set limits for vehicle speed and stereo volume for young drivers. The Sync infotainment system also offers emergency crash notification that automatically dials 911 in the event of an airbag deployment.

Optional safety features include adaptive cruise control with pedestrian detection and automatic brake priming. Lane departure warning and intervention, a blind-spot monitoring system, rear cross-path warning and inflatable rear safety belts are also on the options list. The Reserve trim level comes with an integrated cellular connection that enables remote start, remote lock/unlock and a vehicle finder feature.

In government crash tests, the MKZ earned an overall score of five stars (out of a possible five), with four stars for total front-impact protection and five stars for total side-impact protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave last year's MKZ a top score of "Good" in the moderate-overlap frontal-offset, side-impact, roof-strength and whiplash protection (seat belts and head restraints) tests. A second-best score of "Acceptable" was awarded for the car's performance in the small-overlap frontal-offset test.

The 2017 Lincoln MKZ and MKZ Hybrid are entry-level midsize luxury sedans that are offered in three trim levels (or "Series" in Lincoln-speak): Premiere, Select and Reserve. A special Black Label version is also available.

The standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder is respectable in terms of power and character, and most buyers will find it suitable for everyday motoring. But the newly available 3.0-liter V6 adds a certain thrill factor that you just don't get with the standard engine. We've yet to test it, however, so check back later for performance numbers and driving impressions.

On the move, the 2017 Lincoln MKZ feels surprisingly sporty even if its handling isn't quite best-in-class. And when paired with the standard 18-inch wheels and all-season tires, the suspension delivers the kind of comfortable ride quality you'd expect from a Lincoln. Add the optional sport suspension and 19-inch wheels, and some might find the ride a little too firm for daily commuting, though.

The MKZ Hybrid drives very much like its gasoline-only siblings, with a smooth ride and solid handling. The gasoline-electric powertrain offers adequate acceleration even in passing situations, though stepping hard on the gas pedal can cause the droning engine note that's common to cars equipped with continuously variable automatic transmissions. The nonlinear feel of the regenerative braking system can be disconcerting at first; other recent hybrids have gotten better at having a more natural brake pedal feel.

The cabin of the 2017 Lincoln MKZ is all about the seamless integration of luxury and technology. In terms of luxury, the upper trim levels have a posh look and feel, and the available Black Label models raise the bar with premium leather upholstery with unique stitching and genuine wood trim.

As far as technology goes, the interior can be fitted out with low-profile but highly useful features, including the adaptive cruise control that can be used even in stop-and-go traffic and the handy Sync voice-control system. Interestingly, one of the best details is Lincoln's decision to replace the MKZ's previous touch-sensitive audio system controls with more old-fashioned climate, volume and tuning knobs. The new Sync 3 interface is also an improvement. It is more responsive to inputs, and its large virtual buttons are easier to press accurately than the old system's tiny boxes and bars. The optional navigation system offers pinch-to-zoom and swiping motions, effectively mimicking a smartphone interface.

The front seats offer good comfort, especially the optional multi-contour versions with their infinite adjustment possibilities. The sloping rear roofline means limited headroom for tall rear-seat passengers, but the legroom in back is quite generous.

At 15.4 cubic feet, the MKZ's trunk is good-sized and is made more practical thanks to the standard 60/40-split-folding rear seatbacks. Hybrid models make do with a smaller 11.1-cubic-foot trunk because of the gasoline/electric powertrain's large battery pack.