Nuts and Bolts: 2015 Lincoln MKZ
Bottom line: If you are looking for a luxury sedan, you will be cheating yourself not to consider the Black Label edition of the Lincoln MKZ. Period.
Ride, acceleration, and handling: Excellent ride and handling. Acceleration is decent in “Normal” mode and delightfully more aggressive in “Sport” mode — 0-to-60 times are in the six- to seven-second range.
Head-turning quotient: This car has one of the most beautiful interiors offered at any price. Exterior lines are fetching, too.
Body style/layout: This is a front-engine midsize luxury sedan offered with front-wheel or all-wheel drive. Two gasoline engines are available — a 2-liter turbo four and a 3.7-liter V-6. There also is a gas-electric MKZ Hybrid. For the gasoline models, Lincoln offers a choice of four design themes.
Engine/transmission: The tested Black Label MKZ came with a turbocharged, 16-valve, 2-liter in-line four-cylinder gasoline engine with variable valve timing. I used 93-octane gasoline in pursuit of the maximum 240 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. The engine is linked to a six-speed automatic transmission that also can be operated manually.
Capacities: Seating is for five people. Cargo capacity is 15.4 cubic feet. The fuel tank holds 16.5 gallons. Premium grade is recommended for best performance. But regular grade can be used without harm if you are more concerned with fuel economy. It is the luxury of choice … and compromise.
Mileage: With premium fuel, I averaged 28 miles per gallon in highway driving.
Safety: Standard equipment includes four-wheel disc brakes (ventilated front, solid rear); four-wheel anti-lock brake protection; emergency braking assistance; traction and stability control; side and head air bags; inflatable rear seat belts; adaptive headlamps; and a post-collision safety system.
Recommended safety options: Advanced electronic safety system — blind-side and cross-traffic monitoring, forward-collision warning, priced at $2,200.
Pricing: The 2015 Black Label MKZ starts at $47,445. Price as tested is $56,935, including $8,589 in options and an $895 factory-to-dealer transportation charge. Estimated dealer’s price is $53,000.
— Warren Brown
