2012 Lincoln MKZ Reviews, Pricing & Specs

How does 41 miles per gallon in the city sound? The classy 2012 Lincoln MKZ offers up that enticing EPA estimate as one of many major...

How does 41 miles per gallon in the city sound? The classy 2012 Lincoln MKZ offers up that enticing EPA estimate as one of many major selling points for its Hybrid trim. What makes the number especially appealing is that Lincoln puts the Hybrid out there at the same price as its gas-powered versions, which is not the case with most manufacturers or most hybrid vehicles.

The MKZ overall appears to be making a mark in the market, too, and has put up some nice sales figures when compared to the rest of the Lincoln family.

The 2012 Lincoln MKZ, called an entry-level luxury sedan by reviewers, features a long list of attractive attributes befitting the label. Chief among them perhaps are a smooth, quiet and comfortable ride, delivered in an equally impressive interior. The MKZ, in short, looks good and rides perhaps even better.

Reviewers refer to the MKZ’s “limo-like ride,” in effect handing out a positive and negative with one quick phrase: It offers the lush and plush treat-yourself feel of a limousine, but it’s not designed for the person seeking a high-performance driving experience. The 2012 Lincoln MKZ does take other hits from the experts, too. One common refrain appears to be that for the money - it starts around $35,000 – it doesn’t offer a whole lot to differentiate it in looks or performance from its less-expensive close cousin, the Ford Fusion.

The 2012 Lincoln MKZ comes in three trims: Base, All-Wheel Drive (AWD) and Hybrid. The Base and Hybrid are both front-wheel drive (FWD).

A 3.5-liter V6 powers the Base MKZ and the AWD, and they each get a 6-speed auto-manual transmission good for 263 horsepower and 249 lb-ft of torque. EPA estimates peg the Base trim at 18 mpg city/27 highway and the AWD at 17/24.

A variable-valve-timed (VVT) inline 4-cylinder engine teams with a 30-kilowatt electric motor in the Hybrid for 191 hp and 135 lb-ft of torque. The Hybrid has a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and regenerative braking helps to recharge the nickel-metal hydride battery. Fuel cutoff when decelerating and an auto-engine stop/start system combine with all of that to give the Hybrid EPA fuel mileage numbers of 41/36.

The V6 provides plenty of power to get the 2012 Lincoln MKZ around, reviewers say. They find the Hybrid, as would be expected, not as perky, but also note that it does offer an efficient and quiet drive and the electric and gas motors work smoothly together.

The 2012 Lincoln MKZ collects maybe its best marks from the experts after they open the doors and step inside the roomy and well-appointed interior. They find the MKZ not only comfortable, but also dripping with class, not too flashy and in fact a bit understated, loaded with goodies and featuring high-quality materials all the way around.

Leather seats, heated and cooled driver's and front passenger seats that are powered 10 ways and dual-zone electronic climate control just start the list of standard fare in the MKZ. Experts admire, too, the 2012 Lincoln MKZ’s entertainment and information offerings, which include a Lincoln Premium AM/FM/6-CD/MP3 sound system with nine speakers and a Sync voice-activated communications system. A moonroof, rear-view camera, upgraded sound and navigation systems, and sport setups are all available as part of various packages.

The 2012 Lincoln MKZ has long scored well in crash tests and comes with a full complement of safety features, including traction and stability control, a complete array of airbags, four-wheel disc ABS, rear parking sensors and a post-collision notification system. It also has the MyKey setup, which allows owners to limit speed and audio volume for younger drivers. A rear-view camera and blind-spot information system are among the safety add-ons available.