By Auto reviewman
For 2018, the Lincoln MKZ premium luxury sedan receives a fresh mid-cycle makeover from 2017. The sleek attractive sheet metal with its cool LED lights loses the trademark Lincoln “split-wing grille” design for an equally classy, distinctive, more traditional-looking front end. The Lincoln MKZ remains a handsome, imposing car both inside and out. The interior is also a standout with a better grade of plastic panels than before and the use of brushed aluminum trim with a unique feel and texture. The very fine Scottish Bridge of Weir leather upholstery, and the unusually high quality of the fit and fittings makes for a truly awe-inspiring interior ambience. The MKZ is offered in Select or Reserve trim levels we tested the 3.0 liter AWD Reserve model with All Wheel Drive. Transmission is via a six speed automatic with AWD. Options on our beautifully painted white platinum Reserve tester included the huge panoramic sunroof, the upgraded technology, luxury package 19- Inch black finished wheels, the wonderful multi contour seats and the aluminum trim package. Price as tested with all options destination and delivery came to $66,200.
Inside, the MKZ still has its unique push-button gear selectors on the centre stack, but conventional knobs and buttons have replaced some of the touch-sensitive switches for HVAC. The eight-inch touch-screen interfaces with the latest SYNC3 infotainment system.
In terms of Technology: Lincoln’s excellent SYNC3 infotainment system is standard, and more comprehensive than ever. There are also features and animations that add to the usability and functionality. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now supported and proved very user friendly when hooked up. The audio system is top notch with the very powerful audiophile quality Revel systems as available in multitude of speaker number options. Lincolns Reserve trim adds heated/cooled front seats, rear-seat and steering-wheel heaters, navigation, remote start and blind-spot/rear cross-traffic monitoring. And the seats are incredible; the multi-contoured seats feature Active Motion – a massage feature are just to die for! All in all, the 2018 Lincoln MKZ is a superbly impressive premium luxury car, and the Reserve models features and refinements ratchets up the car to the top in it segment. Inspired looks, superb detailing and a competitive pricing make this luxury sedan one to put on the list.
2018 Lincoln MKZ Reserve price as tested $66,200 with options destination and delivery