A Comprehensive Review of the 2016 Lincoln MKZ: Pros, Cons, and Key Features
The 2016 Lincoln MKZ combines elegant styling, advanced tech, and fuel-efficient powertrains, making it a popular choice among luxury midsize sedans. This comprehensive review explores its key features, advantages, and drawbacks, helping you decide if it meets your needs for comfort, performance, and value. Discover its engine options, interior features, and overall driving experience in this in-depth analysis.
An In-Depth Analysis of the 2016 Lincoln MKZ
The 2016 Lincoln MKZ stands out as a luxury sedan that combines elegant design, advanced technology, and a suite of comfort features. For prospective buyers considering this model, understanding its advantages and disadvantages is crucial to making an informed decision. Starting at a base price of around $36,000, with options to add all-wheel drive for an additional $2,000, the MKZ offers a range of configurations and features that cater to diverse preferences. Fully loaded trims can reach price points close to $50,000, reflecting its positioning within the luxury midsize sedan segment.
Since its release, the 2016 Lincoln MKZ has received subtle updates over the previous 2015 model, mostly focusing on technology and minor stylistic enhancements. It remains a compelling choice for those seeking a luxury vehicle that combines practicality with refined styling and modern amenities.
The design and features of the MKZ are largely influenced by its primary competitor, the 2016 Ford Fusion. While it shares a platform and many components with the Fusion, Lincoln has aimed to elevate the luxury aspect with unique styling cues and upscale interior materials. By examining its strengths and weaknesses, buyers can get a clearer picture of whether this vehicle meets their needs.
Advantages of the 2016 Lincoln MKZ include its eye-catching exterior, which combines sleek lines and a sophisticated grille, giving it a refined but modern appearance. Its fuel economy, especially in hybrid variants, is impressive for a luxury sedan, helping owners reduce running costs and environmental impact. Additionally, the MKZ offers a comprehensive suite of standard luxury features—such as multi-zone climate control, a power liftgate, high-quality LED headlights, and versatile rear seats that fold flat to increase cargo space. The vehicle also boasts a wealth of technological amenities, including an intuitive infotainment system, mobile connectivity options, and safety features like backup cameras and stability control, making it an appealing choice for tech-savvy consumers.
Disadvantages include some interior materials that may not match the plushness found in competitors like Lexus or Acura, occasionally feeling less premium. The dashboard controls and touchscreen interface can also be somewhat challenging to operate smoothly, often requiring longer adaptation periods for first-time users. While the vehicle offers luxury features, its interior space is slightly constrained compared to larger sedans, particularly in rear passenger comfort. Accelerative performance is generally considered modest, with some models feeling sluggish when accelerating from a standstill, regardless of whether they're equipped with an inline-4, V6, or hybrid powertrain. When compared to rivals such as the Lexus ES 350, the MKZ's ride and handling might feel less refined, highlighting areas where Lincoln could improve in future models.
Beyond the aesthetic appeal, under the hood, the 2016 Lincoln MKZ offers several mechanical configurations suited to different driving preferences. Its engine lineup includes a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an innovative hybrid system, both of which serve different needs—from cost-effective daily commuting to eco-friendly driving.
Mechanical specifications of the 2016 Lincoln MKZ are diverse. The base engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4, capable of producing 240 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 270 lb-ft of torque at around 3,000 rpm. This setup provides adequate power for urban and highway driving, complemented by an efficient automatic transmission that smooths out shifts. The EPA-rated fuel economy for this configuration is approximately 22 miles per gallon in city driving and up to 33 mpg on the highway when front-wheel drive is equipped; all-wheel-drive models see slightly lower figures, around 22/31 mpg.
The hybrid variant combines a 2.0-liter inline-4 engine with an electric motor, producing a combined output of 188 horsepower. This setup is particularly appealing for environmentally conscious drivers, offering excellent fuel economy—up to 41 mpg in city driving and roughly 39 mpg on the highway. The hybrid's system is seamlessly integrated, providing a smooth driving experience without sacrificing luxury or comfort.
The available V6 engine is a 3.7-liter unit delivering 300 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful option in the lineup. Acceleration is generally adequate, although not sporty, with EPA estimates of around 18 mpg in city conditions and 27 mpg highway for front-wheel-drive models. All-wheel-drive versions tend to have slightly lower fuel efficiency, averaging about 17/24 mpg.
2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
240 horsepower at 5,500 rpm
270 lb-ft torque at 3,000 rpm
EPA fuel economy: 22/33 mpg (FWD), 22/31 mpg (AWD)
Hybrid system: 2.0-liter inline-4 + electric motor
188 total hybrid horsepower
129 lb-ft torque at 4,000 rpm (gas engine only)
Hybrid EPA fuel economy: 41/39 mpg
3.7-liter V6 engine
300 horsepower at 6,500 rpm
277 lb-ft torque at 4,000 rpm
EPA fuel economy: 18/27 mpg (FWD), 17/24 mpg (AWD)
In conclusion, the 2016 Lincoln MKZ remains a compelling option within the luxury sedan segment, especially for those who value sophisticated styling, modern technology, and fuel efficiency. While it offers many advantages, areas such as interior quality and performance refinement could be improved to better match the expectations set by rivals. Overall, the MKZ is well-suited to drivers seeking a blend of luxury, practicality, and innovative features in a midsize sedan.
