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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2009 Lincoln MKZ

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Overview

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2009 Lincoln MKZ Review

By KBB.com Editors

In 2006 Ford introduced its Ford Fusion mid-size sedan and its divisional platform-mates the Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr, all based on Japanese-partner Mazda's well-respected MAZDA6 front-wheel-drive architecture. All three have earned media praise, strong quality reviews and good first-year sales. Building on this proven platform, Lincoln adopts a more powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine, six-speed automatic transmission and available "intelligent" all-wheel drive to create the mid-size 2009 Lincoln MKZ (pronounced "M-K-Z") luxury sedan. Although the name is confusingly similar to the MKX crossover and new MKS luxury sedan, Lincoln simply follows a long line of luxury manufacturers whose marketers prefer letters and numbers to easily-recognizable names.

You'll Like This Car If...

If a boldly-styled, beautifully-trimmed, solidly-built, well-equipped and reasonably-priced American mid-size luxury sedan that feels and drives more like a European import would fulfill your needs and desires, the 2009 Lincoln MKZ may be an excellent choice.

You May Not Like This Car If...

Lincoln long competed head-to-head with GM's Cadillac at the top of the U.S. market, but has lost a lot of luster in recent years. If brand image ranks higher than comfort, value and substance on your priority list, you may want to look elsewhere.

What's New for 2009

A special "Midnight Black" package adds a black-themed interior with perforated black leather seating and contrasting piping. Lincoln's AdvanceTrac stability control is now standard on all MKZs.

Driving the MKZ

Driving Impressions The 2009 Lincoln MKZ's specially tuned, fully independent suspension rides a bit softer than the more sport-tuned Ford Fusion's but retains nearly all of the fun-to-drive Fusion's responsiveness and agility....

Partly due to the car's stiff structure, its rack-and-pinion steering is precise, with good on-center feel, and transmits little vibration back to the steering wheel, thanks to its mounting on the isolated front subframe. The available "intelligent" all-wheel drive monitors and predicts traction at all four wheels and delivers torque to those with the best grip. There is an overdrive lock-out switch for the six-speed transmission (primarily for hilly roads), but no way to manually control gear choice and shift timing.

Favorite Features

Standard Duratec 35 V6 Engine
Ford has long needed a smoother, more powerful, state-of-the-art V6 for its upscale mid-size entries, and this is it. Along with strong performance, it delivers respectable fuel economy of 19 EPA city miles per gallon and 27 on the highway with two-wheel drive, and one less mile per gallon on both city and highway tests with available four-wheel drive.

Optional THX II-Certified Premium Audio
This 600-watt, 14-speaker system delivers surround-sound worthy of an upscale cinema. An MP3 audio input jack and SIRIUS Satellite Radio are standard.

2009 Lincoln MKZ Details

Interior

Inside the ultra-quiet, premium-quality cabin are generous portions of real wood, satin nickel and chrome accents. Rear-seat space is surprisingly generous, with more than three feet of legroom. The trunk is a best-in-class 15.8 cubic feet, with a flat floor and low liftover height for easy access, and the compact decklid hinges won't crush or interfere with your cargo. The class-exclusive standard 60/40-split rear seats fold flat, with a convenient pop-down spring assist, for easy storage access or to extend the cargo floor straight through from rear deck to front seats.

Exterior

Lincoln says its modern image target is "earned reward" or "American dream," rather than "old world" flashy or "ostentatious luxury," which translates to quiet, casual, confident and more understated design. With its bold waterfall grille, jewel-like quad projector-beam headlamps, judicious use of chrome trim and low-profile tires on 17-inch, eight-spoke machined aluminum wheels, the 2009 Lincoln MKZ certainly looks the part of a credible mid-size luxury sedan. Around back are large wrap-around taillamps and twin chrome exhausts.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The nicely-equipped 2009 Lincoln MKZ comes with automatic on/off headlamps, leather seating, heated and cooled 10-way power front seats, tilt/telescoping four-spoke steering wheel with cruise and audio controls, dual-zone climate control, power heated mirrors, power windows and locks, remote keyless entry with exterior keypad, SYNC communications system, AM/FM stereo with six-disc CD changer and auxiliary audio input jack, SIRIUS Satellite Radio and two 12-volt outlets. Standard safety features include AdvanceTrac electronic stability control, Reverse Sensing System, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (ABS) with traction control and six air bags: Dual-stage fronts, front seat-mounted side and side-curtain bags for both seating rows.

Optional Equipment

Among the many MKZ options are chromed wheels, a power moonroof, High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps, remote start, 14-speaker THX II-Certified premium audio and DVD navigation.

Under the Hood

The MKZ's 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve aluminum Duratec 35 V6 delivers 263 horsepower and 249 pound-feet of torque through a new six-speed, wide-ratio, multiple-clutch automatic transmission. It boasts variable intake-valve timing, a dual-plenum intake manifold and a relatively high 10.3:1 compression ratio to optimize its balance of performance and efficiency.

3.5-liter V6
263 horsepower @ 6250 rpm
249 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/28 (FWD); 17/24 (AWD)

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Lincoln MKZ vehicles for sale near you.

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2009 Lincoln MKZ Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.2

Out of 10

Based on 166 Ratings for the 2007 - 2012 models.

Review this car

Value

9.2/10

Quality

9.3/10
Reliability

9.5/10

Performance

9.3/10
Comfort

9.3/10

Styling

9.3/10

Way over priced and way over advertised as luxury

By hick 9 (IN) on Wednesday, July 17, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 22,000

10 3.0

overall rating 3 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 3/10
Value: 5/10
Reliability: 4/10
Quality: 4/10
Performance: 4/10
Styling: 2/10
Comfort: 2/10

Pros: "Good paint job"

Cons: "Poor automobile"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"Leased new. Mechanical problems right away. Engine would start on 1/2 the cylinders. Air conditioning does not cool above 75 degrees. After 20 minutes seat gets uncomfortable. Radio is a joke. Sloppy shifting transmission. I sure do not understand the good reviews on this car?"

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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Very inspirational vehicle!

By Lincoln girl (DC) on Tuesday, May 21, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 1,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Folded back seats, roof, drive, mpg, controls"

Cons: "back seats headroom"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"Was shopping for more than a year for a hybrid, tried them all and eventually got my MKZ 2013 hybrid. Even though MKZ is criticized for being pricey, the hybrid version is still the best deal among its class as the hybrid doesn't have the price premium vs other brands. It stands out among other options (ES, 3 series, A4, E series) due to its incredible 46 mpg and design. I record regularly 43 mpg on mine, and once it shown 47mpg. Something as a recommendation for Lincoln - they did a mistake on their website by not mentioning the folding back seats with opening for the skies. The actual cargo capacity of MKZ is in fact much larger with back seats folded. This feature was a deal breaker for me while choosing between ES hybrid and MKZ in the favor of the latter."

6 people out of 6 found this review helpful

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Best Car I've Owned

By FangStang (MO) on Wednesday, May 01, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 62,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Quiet, comfortable, reliable, excellent in snow"

Cons: "None"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"The MKZ has been excellent. With AWD I have been able to get through the snow without issue. The traction has been great. A daily driver city/highway combination has averaged 22+ MPG. Quiet ride and very comfortable on long trips. Would consider this car again when time to trade."

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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I love this car. Looks like no other!

By R p (MA) on Saturday, April 27, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 800

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Price comfort mpg etc."

Cons: "None"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"Could have bought other cars but this one stood out. Love every thing about it. Got hybrid for same price! All the option in this one ."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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Fair to Good

By Nelson (MI) on Sunday, April 21, 2013

I want this car

10 7.0

overall rating 7 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 7/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: Not Rated
Quality: Not Rated
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 7/10

Pros: "Priced competitively, still not a Mercedes or BMW"

Cons: "Interior Controls too aggresive"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 7

"Dealer not well versed with product. Did not know basic controls and misinformed customer about product details. Interior appears to be clean but appears to be very cumbersome to control basic functions. Judging from past experience the touch controls will be a nuisance rather than a convenience. Wish they had knobs for temp and radio tuning and volume controls. I liked the Mercedes C class much better. The map guidance is great with speed limits of the streets that you are driving on showing up. Glare on the screen makes it difficult to read. Odometer and speedometer graphics is very subdued. The Ford Escape has a more vibrant odometer/speedometer."

1 person out of 3 found this review helpful

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Not your father's Lincoln

By goose (CO) on Thursday, April 18, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 300

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "America is back! Better than foreign equivalents."

Cons: "Sync.....is slow! Not a great ice car."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Mileage-unbelievable. Stopping--excellent. Pickup--it's available, but once you watch the coach on braking, accelerating and cruising, you will find yourself trying to achieve the car's approval. Styling--a personal decision, but I like it more each day--maybe a little low to the ground. Comfort--luxury all the way. A large person might find it more cramped than I do, but it's made for 6' and 200 lb people. I thought the back seat room was adequate, certainly not huge. The trunk handles my golf clubs plus. Sound system is excellent. Negatives: I find the response to my voice commands is slow--but, a part of that is learning the system. The front end can easily touch a concrete barrier. It is NOT made for driving on ice--after leaving a 4-wheel SUV, I am re-learning driving on slick surfaces."

5 people out of 7 found this review helpful

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See all 166 reviews