Since this latest MKZ arrived on the scene two years ago I’ve been a fan of the design. I like that Lincoln has broken out of the

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staid and conservative luxury car mold, especially in the rear where its sweptback, near liftback styling looks more European than most of today’s European models.

Up front, Lincoln’s new winged grille is also wonderfully expressive, which together with its narrow, sharply pointed headlamp clusters form a perfect symmetry as they wrap around the front fenders, the entire frontal design like some chromed modernistic form of west coast Haida artwork, along the lines of Tom Speen’s Thunderbird. Neat and tidy LED driving lights combine with a thin strip of chrome on each side of the lower valance, an understated element that doesn’t take away from the more artistic upper portion of the fascia.

The

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MKZ’s unique greenhouse is highlighted in thick chrome trim, only upstaged by one of the most attractive side mirror designs in the industry, that incorporates chromed pedestals holding onto what looks like a completely separate body-colour mirror housing, the standard LED turn signals wedged between and completely hidden until flashing. This takes care of the safety benefit without looking trendy.

Normally I’m not a big fan of single full-width taillight designs, but the elegant way that Lincoln has penned the thin horizontal strip of LEDs onto the back of the MKZ looks absolutely stunning, while a sharply cut Kammback rear deck lid that provides

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exceptional aerodynamics appears to pay tribute to BMW’s 6 and 7 Series of yore, albeit much more elegantly shaped than either of those two German models. A simple bumper cap fitted with a large matte black diffuser style rear fascia completes the look, highlighted by a gorgeous set of chromed exhaust finishers.

I particularly like the MKZ in White Platinum, the last three versions I tested being in this shade and a popular choice amongst locals that cruise around my neck of the

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woods, but this very unique Bronze Fire metallic really sets it apart from anything else in the class. Lincoln provides a wide MKZ Hybrid colour palette, including a total of nine hues and shades.

Rounding out the design is a gorgeous set of optional 19-inch alloys on 245/40R19 Michelin Primacy MXM4 grand touring all-seasons, the former featuring narrow machine-finished spokes along with a delicate rim surrounding glossy grey painted spokes and pockets, and the latter claimed to combine good all-weather handling and traction with low noise levels and good ride comfort, while given top ratings by consumers and tire reviewers, other than in deep snow or on ice where their performance is questionable.

I

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didn’t have opportunity to drive the MKZ Hybrid in untoward conditions, the beautiful blue skies and dry roads experienced during its warm weeklong summer test enjoyable for obvious reasons, but also useful for pushing it to its absolute limits. That’s not something most Lincoln owners are likely to do, let alone the luxury brand’s green-first hybrid clientele, but it’s what I need to do whenever possible and therefore we took to a local circuitous mountain road to find out how well the MKZ Hybrid stuck to pavement and how willingly its 2.0H power unit got it up to speed in the first place.

First and foremost the MKZ Hybrid gets the identical internal combustion engine (ICE) and electrical motive drive unit as the Fusion Hybrid, which makes sense because under both cars’ stylish sheetmetal is the same Ford CD4 platform architecture

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that also underpins Europe’s Ford Mondeo and a couple of crossover SUVs including the Ford Edge and the all-new 2016 Lincoln MKX. The MKZ Hybrid drives the front wheels via an electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT), while power comes from an Atkinson-cycle 2.0-litre four-cylinder ICE matched up to a permanent magnet AC synchronous electric motor with electrical input supplied by a 1.4-kWh Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery pack. Compared to the conventionally powered MKZ the hybrid wasn’t designed for performance first, being that combined output hums along at 188 horsepower, but there’s plenty of torque off the line so initial acceleration proves strong and it certainly was able to acquire ample speed on its trip up the mountain.

While

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its fully independent suspension felt confidence-inspiring on long fast sweeping corners, even those with uneven pavement and potholes thanks to standard continuously controlled damping (part of Lincoln Drive Control that uses 12 sensors capable of reading close to 50 road condition inputs in just two milliseconds), it was a bit over its head when pushed through tight, off-camber hairpins, while the power unit couldn’t muster as much performance when exiting curves as the wonderful 3.7-litre V6 is capable of in the regular MKZ. Where the MKZ Hybrid truly shines is out on the highway where passing power is no problem at all, and in town where its velvety ride and incredible quietness is much appreciated (standard active noise control also benefiting NVH levels), while one of its greatest assets is of course, fabulous fuel economy.

Get

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used to earning fewer Petro-Points, Aeroplan rewards or Airmiles, because the MKZ Hybrid is the teetotaler of luxury sedans with a five-cycle EnerGuide rating of 5.7 L/100km city, 6.0 hwy and 5.8 combined. Compare that with the 3.7’s 13.8 city, 9.7 hwy and 11.9 combined, or even the new 2.0-litre Ecoboost’s 10.5, 7.0 and 8.9 rating and it’s easy to see why the MKZ Hybrid is the clear choice for those who lean towards lower fuel consumption and less environmental impact. The next obvious step would be an MKZ Plug-in Hybrid based on the impressive Fusion Energi that achieves a 2.7 Le/100km equivalent combined gas and electric rating. Not only would this be a bonus to Canadian eco-luxury buyers, but also its plug-in status would allow those in BC, Ontario and Quebec to take advantage of sizable provincial government rebates, while adding to Lincoln’s technology image.

Those

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who haven’t experienced a modern Lincoln or read these pages often may not be aware that Ford’s luxury division has long been a leader in technology, and I’m not specifically talking about pushbutton gear selection in the old days and its reincarnated version now, although that is pretty cool. Then again this innovative approach to minimizing clutter on the centre console and paying tribute to Lincoln’s heritage is exclusive to the premium brand, whereas most of its other tech gets pulled up from Ford. What I’m referring to is some of the best electronic kit in the auto segment, including a full dual-LCD TFT SmartGauge cluster with a superb multi-information display integrating cool EcoGuide graphics with Ford/Lincoln’s noted leaves growing or falling depending on whether or not you’re respecting mother nature, plus the MyLincoln Touch infotainment interface and, also exclusive to Lincoln, a full array of touch-sensitive “buttons” and sliders resulting

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in a centre stack that’s as beautifully minimalistic in design as anything in the segment. The two sliders, for the audio system’s volume control and dual-zone auto HVAC system’s fan speed, are a bit finicky at times, although Lincoln has made improvements since the second-gen MKZ was introduced and their response is now exactly as requested nine times out of ten.

The MKZ’s graphic interfaces are also exclusive to Lincoln, but anyone familiar with the MyFord Touch quadrant layout will find this setup easy to navigate. I particularly like both systems, finding their designs and processes intuitively logical, screen amply large and clear, plus the systems it connects to impressive as well, especially the Hybrid’s interesting energy flow schematics, the navigation display’s detail and overall

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functionality, the rearview camera’s high-resolution quality and active guidelines, and the THX audio system’s soul-stirring sound quality.

Incidentally, access to the MKZ Hybrid is granted via proximity-sensing passive entry, at which point the intelligent inclusion of a dark black plastic doorsill step protects the paint finish directly on the bodyshell outside the rubber seal, as does a backlit logo-inscribed brushed aluminum scuff plate on the upper portion of the doorsill, but the back door gets no such protection with the results already being a deep scratch in this near new model’s paint.

Being a Lincoln, I feel like I should be working my way from back to front, the many

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Town Cars I’ve been ferried away from airports in over the years immediately coming to mind. The MKZ is an altogether different kind of conveyance, mind you, so if the Town Car is your only experience with Lincoln, leave that mental image in the distant past. As you might expect the MKZ comes up short on trunk space when compared to the behemoth TC, although the conventional model’s 436-litre (15.4 cubic-foot) capacity is nevertheless much more accommodating than the majority of rivals while its 60/40 split-folding rear seatbacks are another advantage some of its competitors don’t offer. The trunk’s expandability is minimized to a small centre pass-through in the MKZ Hybrid, however, which is better than nothing and capable of housing a couple pairs of skis and poles, while its overall size has been downgraded to 314 litres (11.1 cubic feet). On the positive the MKZ Hybrid’s trunk comes fitted with some of the plushest cargo pampering carpeting I’ve ever felt.

Move

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up to the rear seat and the plush theme continues while no one will feel shortchanged on size. It’s spacious in all directions and extremely comfortable, especially when it comes to lower back support, which ironically wasn’t a Town Car attribute. A flip-down leather-clad armrest houses twin cupholders and a nicely finished stowage bin, while my tester also featured heatable outboard rear seats, no doubt making them even more comfortable on cold winter days, plus a 12-volt charge point and even a household style three-prong 110-volt outlet where rear riders can reenergize their personal devices.

A massive panoramic glass sunroof added a more open and airy ambience to the MKZ interior whether seated in back or up front, shedding light on some of the model’s de rigueur luxury upgrades such as fabric-wrapped roof pillars from the back post forward, whereas those who regularly rest their elbows on windowsills will

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appreciate the padded soft-touch door uppers finished to the same high grade for rear passengers as those up front.

All said the MKZ Hybrid’s premium-level finishings are even easier to note when in the driver’s seat, a favourite detail of mine being gorgeous available real brushed aluminum inlays across the instrument panel, down each side of the centre stack and lower console, across the door panels, highlighting the steering wheel spokes and

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primary instrument binnacle, and elsewhere. Of course the door uppers aren’t the only surfaces covered in soft-touch synthetic, others being the dash top and instrument panel, the latter even including the lower dash area by the knees and the glove box lid, the latter area left off the menu in much-praised Audi A3, A4 and A6 sedans.

Where the MKZ can be criticized is in its Ford-sourced switchgear, other than the aforementioned touch-sensitive centre stack controls. Everything else could just as easily be found in a Fusion or Focus, and while it’s difficult to argue against their quality, which is quite good, it’s more about its steering wheel stalks being so obviously derived from the lesser branded lineup. This is getting very picky, of course, and in no way detracts from the car’s premium feel, but it’s one of those small

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status issues that, if done correctly, goes that extra mile to separate the recently renamed Lincoln Motor Company from the more blue-collar Ford brand.

The MKZ Hybrid features list will do this as well, although its standard kit isn’t all that much different from options available with the Fusion Hybrid. Just the same, factoring in that the base MKZ Hybrid starts at just $34,960 plus $1,800 for freight and pre-delivery prep, which continues to be the identical MSRP of the conventionally powered base MKZ and extremely reasonable for such a uniquely stylish luxury sedan of its mid-size proportions, the standard feature set in Premiere trim includes a number of items previously mentioned as well as 18-inch alloys, full-LED headlamps with automatic on/off and adaptive cornering capability, chrome accented body-colour door handles, LED taillights, dual chromed

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exhaust tips, an acoustic laminated glass windshield, solar-tinted glass, remote access with MyKey and remote start, SecuriCode keyless entry, an electronic parking brake, a tilt and telescopic leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, genuine hardwood trim on the instrument panels and doors, heatable powered side mirrors with integrated spotter mirrors and puddle lamps, auto up/down powered windows all-round, an overhead console with a sunglasses holder, a universal garage door opener, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a rearview monitor, reverse sonar, 10-way powered front seats with two-way powered lumbar support and driver’s side memory, dual-zone climate control with cabin filtration, Sync hands-free phone connectivity, 11-speaker premium audio featuring satellite radio with a six-month subscription, the Easy Fuel capless refueling system, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, electronic brake-force distribution

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and integrated regenerative braking, hill start assist, AdvanceTrac electronic traction and stability control, tire pressure monitoring, an anti-theft perimeter alarm, SecuriLock passive anti-theft system, SOS post-crash alert, plus all the usual airbags including two blockers for the front occupants’ knees.

For just $940 more MKZ Hybrid buyers can add a Select trim package that includes an enhanced wood steering wheel with powered actuation, power-folding side mirrors with electrochromatic auto-dimming on the driver’s side, and ambient interior lighting.

The Reserve trim package costs $4,140 while building on Select trim with the previously noted navigation, heatable rear seats and 110-volt power point, plus a heatable

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steering wheel, heatable and cooled front seats, an embedded modem for internet connectivity, a powered trunk lid with full up/down functionality, and the BLIS blind spot information system with cross-traffic alert. The navigation system incorporates voice recognition plus voice-guided turn-by-turn directions as well as 3D mapping and points of interest (POI) displayed on the superb eight-inch LCD touchscreen I mentioned before.

My tester was in top-line Preferred trim, a $5,640 upgrade that includes all the Reserve features while adding the previously noted 19-inch alloys, THX II certified audio system with its 700 watts of power from a 14-channel amp and 14 speakers including two 10-inch subs, plus plush premium floor mats featuring the Lincoln Star logo and suede edging.

My

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tester’s $2,450 Technology package added adaptive cruise control with collision warning and brake support, auto high beams, active park assist, rain-sensing wipers plus forward sensing and lane-keeping assist, while the retractable panoramic sunroof I noted earlier might be large and impressive but it’s a rather pricey $3,450, although $225 for the genuine aluminum trim I spoke of before is quite good, the final tally, which includes an extra $700 for clearcoat paint, coming to $50,225 plus freight, or in other words superb value.

You can add more, such as a $350 powered rear sunshade and segment-exclusive rear inflatable seatbelts for $250, as well as all the usual accessories along with a very cool dual portable DVD rear seat entertainment system by Nextbase for $747 (or a single one for $358), but for the most part my tester was about as loaded as most MKZ Hybrids come.

So

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equipped the MKZ Hybrid is a luxury car that knows few peers, especially when comparing its fully-loaded price to its most immediate rival, Lexus’ ES 300h hybrid that when loaded up with all its options hits the road at about $55k, not including freight, a 10-percent surcharge for Lexus’ good name. Then again Lincoln has a good name too, the most recent JD Power and Associates 2015 Initial Quality Study (IQS) ranking it ahead of Lexus and the same third party analytical firm’s 2015 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) turning the tables, albeit eighth place out of 33 brands isn’t bad. That position puts it ahead of Buick, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volvo, Cadillac, Acura and Land Rover in the premium sector, and reliability stalwarts Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Subaru in the mainstream volume sector.

Lincoln is clearly earning back the respect it once had it in its more formative years, and cars like the MKZ Hybrid are exactly what’s needed for growing the brand’s sales. It delivers beautifully original styling, an impressively made feature-filled interior, ample performance considering its superb fuel economy, and overall good build quality. I highly recommend it to those looking for true luxury at a reasonable price.
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