GSI

So this weekend Lincoln Ford of Richmond, VA
allowed me to have there 2013 MKZ for the weekend and threw in a dinner to Ruth Chris as well as a gift Card. The experience was really cool and there was absolutely no pressure to buy upon pick up or drop off.

I won this opportunity due to my interest at the International Car Show earlier in the year. Ford called and asked me to consider and give my honest feedback comparing this car to a Lexus. A Lexus it is not but it's still a nice automobile.

The car I had only had 40 miles on the odometer and was loaded with Navi, ,Bluetooth streaming audio, Sat radio, blind spot awareness, side collision awareness, frontal radar, auto parrallel pparking anda huge canopy style sunroof. The car also had a 2.0 ecoboost which got the job done if your only concerned about a to b stuff.

I liked the looks of the car but it is a big car and at times it's tough to b gauge exactly where you are for precise handling <my daily is a 335i>. The engine is ok but it does not sound like cit likes doing its job. I mean for a car of this ilk the 4 cylinder seems a little bit out of character and the tranny seemed irritated when hustled. No disrespect to the car because I felt the same way about the 2013 Bmw 328 with the 4 cylinder turbo-I just don't like 4 bangers in premium cars. Speaking of price this one came in at about $51k which puts it in some high end neighborhoods.

At the end of the day, I appreciated the opportunity and think the car will fit the demographic of those that like a cool looking car that's packed with technology, good gas mileage <I avg 18 mpg on a green engine> then it is a winner.

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NBP04TL4ME

There is nothing in the Lincoln lineup that does anything for me. With that said, there is a fellow carnut at my office and is currently on his third MKZ. He is a little older than me so potentially a different demographic. To each his own, I guess.
Thanks for your input.

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

It's a great looking car but I wouldn't buy one

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

great review!
i agree, its a fantastic looking car but wouldnt spend that amount for it.

StreetKA

iTrader: (8)

i think its fugly... i was intetested what kind of car it is when i saw it for the first time but MEH its nothing i would buy

Sarlacc

I think they look very sharp in and out.

MaxMike93

I like the rear, but I'm not too keen on the front. I know everyone says the same about the 328, but 51k for a 4 cylinder is a little much. And just from the picture of the interior, that center stack/console just doesn't look like that of a 50k+ car IMO.

GSI

No problem. I can appreciate all types of cars and this one just struck me at the car show based on it's looks. I guess it is love it or hate it styling but I like it and surprisingly it got a lot of looks in public. Heck, someone even took a camera phone pic.

At the end of the day, it's a good car but not a drivers car. When I get back into my BMW 335i it just fits like a glove. Heck, it does not have iDrive, Navi or any of the other radar avoidance stuff but it makes it more refreshing to be able to turn a dial to turn down the radio and ac vs touch screen this and that with all of the fingerprints on the dash display. If I were in the market and did not need the space a loaded Ford Focus would be ideal for the tech lover in you for more than half the price. Heck they even throw in a 2.0 turbocharged engine.

Ford would have a winner if they threw in the 5.0 from the stang and made the Lincoln rear wheel drive so that the show matches the go.

GSI

Yea, I guess the feeling of speed is subjective but I guess you can't replace the sensation you get from low rpm torque. Driving both the 2013 328 and this Lincoln I must say that my miles per gallon was nothing to write home on either car. I got 18mpgs on the Lincoln and about 20 on the BMW 328. Now I was doing mostly city and was not really pushing any harder than normal (respecting the break-in period of both engines) but was surprised at the low MPG's which was not much better than my 335 when driven hard.

probmxstyle

I checked this car out at the car show and the center stack just feels cheap. It took me three tries just to get the flimsy plastic lid on one of the storage compartments to close.

GSI

Yea, there is a high level of plastic going on in there at this price point. I kept thinking the whole while that this would be a heck of a value at the $30k range. Maybe a bargain as an off lease purchase.

RPhilMan1

Pretty cool opportunity! I think the new MKZ looks sharp but that price tag sure is high.

I'm also surprised the 2.0L EB is in there.

GSI

Yea, there is also a hybrid version and a 6 cylinder.

1StGenCL

Very cool but it looks like the new fusion beat with an ugly stick

charliemike

I sat in it at a car show in January and thought it was a nice car. Seats sucked though.

Honestly, as nice as it looks, I would probably buy a Fusion and save the extra money. It's just not quite there for what they want for it.

jayhawk815

I actually slightly prefer the MKZ over the Fusion. I think the Fusion looks good, but kinda has a hodgepodge design about it, too much of a design-by-committee look to it.

te3point5

Do those cup holders get covered with a door? They look like an after thought if they aren't covered.

doopstr

51k for a 4 banger, wtf?

dom

That price seems way high.

Moog-Type-S

It's a great looking exterior design.

Interior and powerplant are a different story.

GSI

Yes, the do. There is also a lot of space under that cup holder.

GSI

Yep, and it had the 4 banger grit when given the stick. I assume the 6 banger would be the move especially for such small differences in fuel economy. Part of the luxury car experience is having that torquey smooth goodness that comes with the good looks and amenities.

probmxstyle

Hey if Audi can get away with a 220hp 4 banger in their $50k A5, why can't Lincoln?

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Interesting....nice looking on the inside. The grill takes some getting used to, but not a bad looking grill.

dallison

I'd say 30k would be more fair.

350

iTrader: (4)

Maybe if it came with the V6 EcoBoost they could ask that... I wanna say a loaded Taurus SHO is in the high 40's. Kinda neat looking.

Mr Marco

^+1

That grille

Kinda reminds me of...

oo7spy

Just curious about why it is no Lexus. It certainly doesn't look like Lexus quality, but I was just wondering your thoughts.

This appears to be a car that Hyundai is drooling over just waiting to beat the crap out of with a Genesis.

phile

the problem with Lincoln and Buick and any automaker who claims to take on Lexus is that they clearly haven't been in a Lexus. I know people like to laugh off wood veneer, for example, saying you can't tell the difference between real and fake anyway, or they just don't care about it. But for the people who do, Lexus takes it to a whole new level. And you can tell the difference when you're in a Lexus vs an Acura/Lincoln/Buick that uses the fake stuff.


I still prefer Audi interiors in terms of design, but there is no doubt Lexus has done an incredible job with the quality of their interiors. And until other automakers devote as much time to the craft for little things like that, they won't be able to match Lexus.

oo7spy

I was very disappointed that Acura choose to replace the real wood dash in the RL with "plood" starting in 2007 with the base and all models by 2009. I think the decision came from the fact that the other pieces of "plood" couldn't match the wood coloring. It should have all been wood, but Acura can't command the premium that Lexus can.

Lexus did a fabulous job with their sedan lineup this past year. Even the ES, which was lacking enormously, looks good enough to compete with the upper echelon of German interiors.

Aman

I can think of much better ways to spend $50k, but it's better than anything else Lincoln has put out in a while.

neuronbob

I like the exterior styling of the MKZ but it feels so small inside for such a big car. It's really too bad, too, as Cadillac needs some real American competition. It hasn't had any in years.

Here's hoping Ford continues to put money into Lincoln to make it the aspirational brand it once was. I currently consider it about the same as I do Acura......it's for Ford people who want some luxury but want something akin to that Ford ownership experience.

oo7spy

Ford seriously dropped the ball here. Try $43k before rebates/incentives. Why in the world would you buy an ugly boat with no power when you could have a good looking boat that has a 365 hp, twin-turbo, DI, DOHC, V6 for $10k less?!?

dom

Felt the same about the Fusion. Big car but couldn't shake the impression that it felt tight inside.

MaxMike93

Isn't the MKS based off the Taurus? MKZ, I assume, would be for people looking for an upscale Fusion. But for an extra 15k+ when I think the Fusion is better looking is outrageous. If I had the money to be looking at a $50k car, I'd rather skip the Lincoln dealer and go place a deposit on/pick up a new Q50. Better looking inside and out (I happen to like the Infiniti sea creatures ), more power, and probably a lot better tech. I'd hope that Ford continues to drive improvements on it's brands since I think the new Fusion was a big step forward from the last gen, but the MKZ seems to not really be going anywhere, at least for me.

Shoofin

And to think, this is the car "to save Lincoln"...

Personally can't say I hate it, but also can't say I love it. They went a little too space age, thinking that's what everybody wants. Lexus can go into the future, but they haven't lost what they are all about, and that video above pretty much proves it.

mrmako

Ford/Lincoln could have had a winner if this thing were 385 HP and AWD. Then it's a bit comparable to a 5 Series / Lexus GS at that rediculous price. Or they could lower the price 10 K, and make it 300 HP and then it might sell better with the slightly "younger crowd" IMO.

Costco

Because of the badge

I remember seeing a thread with a 328i or some other, and it was $60k. Some people raised an eyebrow, others acted like it was the norm...

cjTL

iTrader: (2)

Overpriced by $10-15K. You have to (re)establish a (good) reputation before you can play in that ballpark.