Used Lincoln MKZ

There has been little more than tweaking for the 2012 model of the Lincoln MKZ, a reliable indicator that an all-new MKZ sedan is just over the horizon. In the interim, numerous premium features have been made standard, such as heated and cooled seats. And, as with most Ford passenger vehicles, there remains a huge emphasis on in-car technology, such as SYNC Applink. Finally, there are two new metallic colors: Crystal Champagne and Cinnamon.

For 2010, the MKZ receives a new front and rear fascia design, LED tail lamps, and a new instrument panel and center console. New available features include rain sensing wipers, Adaptive HID headlamps, voice activated navigation and Blind Spot Information System (BLIS).

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.

Handsome, classy and nicely turned out, Lincoln's first all-new sedan since the Jaguar-based, rear-wheel-drive LS is well suited to compete with "near-luxury" imports and attract more affluent buyers to Lincoln-Mercury showrooms, and the renamed 2007 MKZ's much-improved powertrain and other upgrades make it that much more competitive. But why jettison an excellent name with strong Lincoln heritage in favor of a soulless acronym after just one year? We think this car is good enough to succeed on its own, whatever it's called, but the label change is confusing.