Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

SPECIFICATIONS

1. Lincoln boasts the MKZ Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient luxury car on the market with a 41/36-mpg (city/hwy) rating. 2. Fuel economy is up significantly from the V6-powered MKZ, which gets 18/27-mpg. 3. Using the same 2.5-liter Atkinson Cycle 4-cylinder from the Fusion Hybrid, the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid makes 191-hp and can travel at speeds of up to 40-mph on pure electric power. 4. Pricing for this fuel-efficient luxury car starts at just $34,330.

PREVIEW

Like the HS250h, the MKZ Hybrid shares much of its DNA with a blue jeans brother, in this case the Ford Fusion. If you’ve spent any time in the regular MKZ, then you’ll feel right at home in this one. Even though the basic design of this car is now close to eight years old, it still cuts a unmistakable profile amid a sea of gilded-edge mobile porridge and the new corporate front fascia and tail tweak – introduced on all MKZs originally for the 2010 model year, make it look more mature and perhaps just a little menacing (a certain dark Lord from Middle Earth comes to mind for this scribe).

Unfortunately, aside from some hybrid badges, there’s little to distinguish the MKZ Hybrid as a “green” car, something that surely won’t help move these cars off dealer lots.

It’s decently put together too – panel gaps are nice and precise – the chrome is not over the top and the paint is better than some other cars competing in this segment (is it just me, or does orange peel seem to be enjoying a resurgence as of late?).

INTERIOR

Inside, the MKZ Hybrid isn’t perhaps what you’d call futuristic. The dash and switchgear is as familiar as apple pie, but even though the design is getting on in years, the ergonomics are still good. The seats are actually rather supportive, with excellent height and rake adjustment, yet without the hard bolstering found on some Teutonic sedans, which can leave you wanting to stretch your back after just an hour of driving. Heated and cooled rotary knobs are also a nice touch and the Bridge of Weir leather – straight from Scotland - is distinctive, yet tasteful. Front passengers also get additional comfort in the shape of 10-way power adjustment.

Fit and finish inside are very good for this class of car – everything feels solid, from the one-touch power window switches to the turn signal stalk and shifter handle, plus the real wood inserts have a nice, deep aura to them. However, the biggest difference between the bent-six powered Z and this one, at least from inside, concerns the dash.

                              

UNDER THE HOOD

Flanking the speedometer is a ‘smart gauge’ cluster. This allows you to monitor vehicle system functions as well as ‘coach’ you to try and be a more fuel-efficient driver. Like it’s more pedestrian Fusion counterpart, the display has white blossom inspired leaves, which expand over time into a five-leaf tree, as a reward for being thrifty with the throttle. (According to Ford’s official stats, over the course of one year, a driver can save around 200 gallons of fuel and two tons of Carbon Dioxide emissions compared with a standard mid-size luxo sedan). Additional monitoring such as EV/gasoline engine power transfer, braking and active fuel economy can also be switched on or tuned out depending on how much information the driver wishes to absorb.

In terms of fuel economy, Lincoln is pushing this thing on the merits of achieving 41-mpg in town and 36-mpg on the open road versus a rating of 17/29-mpg for the V6 version. It does this by utilizing what Ford calls its second-generation Hybrid powertrain, a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine, teamed with an electric motor. Based on technology used in Ford’s other Hybrids and developed from Toyota’s original concept, the MKZ is a ‘pure’ hybrid, able to run exclusively on electric power at speeds up to 44 mph. What’s interesting, is that according to Ford engineers, this almost doubles the EV vehicle speed over some of Toyota’s own offerings, including the HS250h.

On busy traffic and Segway infested streets of the Nation’s Capital, we had a chance to see if the MKZ was all it was cracked up to be. The 2.5-liter twin cam four-cylinder puts out 156 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 135 ft-lbs of torque at 2250 revs. While that might not seem much, combined with the electric motor, the result is 191 net horsepower (electric only you’ve got the equivalent of 106 hp), so in terms of acceleration, the MKZ Hybrid isn’t as sluggish as you might think. Combined with the electronic CVT transmission, it’s not what you’d call sprightly off the line; nor is it particularly involving and can at times appear to be a bit glacial, especially when trying to overtake on faster roads – but under most circumstances, it gets the job done.

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Lincoln MKX

PREVIEW

SPECIFICATION

1. Along with a new look, the 2011 MKX gets a new 3.7L V6 engine with 305-hp (up 40-hp) and 280 ft-lbs of torque. 2. Fuel economy has also improved with a best-in-class 19/26-mpg (city/hwy) rating for front-drive models compared to 17/23-mpg for last year’s MKX. 3. Along with the new MyLincolnTouch infotainment system other new features for 2011 include Adaptive Cruise Control and Blind Spot Monitoring. 4. The 2011 Lincoln MKX starts at $39,145.

It seems that you need to have a luxury branded mid-size crossover to succeed in the car biz these days. Since it’s introduction in 2006; the Lincoln MKX has proved to be a hot seller for the brand, despite offering just a single engine and transmission (in this case a 265 horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and six-speed automatic). Yet the MKX’s combination of a sturdy unibody design, surprisingly good driving dynamics and high feature content, made it a surprising hit.

As a result, for 2011, with the Mercury brand now gone, Lincoln hopes that by adding a raft of upgrades it can further increase the MKX’s popularity, not only among Ford faithful but also by gaining conquest customers - people that perhaps would have previously considered vehicles like the Lexus RX350. Question is, do these upgrades go far enough.

EXTERIOR

From a styling aspect, the 2007-2010 MKX was a curious blend of 1962 Continental, 1995 Town Car and modern crossover SUV, thanks to it’s full width front grille and LED taillight assembly that ran across the rear hatch opening.

For 2011, the MKX adopts the current Lincoln corporate profile, with a much more aggressive nose profile that apes the MKT. According to chief engineer Elaine Bannon, everything forward of the A pillars is new and the effect is quite striking, with a look that is both regal yet somewhat sinister. Out back the taillight panel has also been revised – the lights are now segmented, rendering the vehicle’s rump somewhat less busy in appearance, but amid a sea of generic cars on stilts that clot our modern highways, a still somewhat signature look. But it’s inside where the changes are most notable.

INTERIOR

Moving to the instrument panel, flanking the gauges are two more LCD screens – the left one containing aspects such as odometer mileage, fuel economy and specific settings, while the right one allows the driver to interface with the onboard multi-media technology. As befitting a current Lincoln product, a THX sound system is included, as is the latest version of the Ford’s SYNC voice command system, activated by buttons in the steering wheel, plus a new first – High Definition radio.Perhaps the biggest is “MyLincolnTouch” which uses command screens, both in the center stack and instrument cluster. For the former, there’s an 8-inch liquid crystal display which contains controls to the vehicle’s info/entertainment system and climate control, activated purely by finger touch - hence the name. In addition, there are steering wheel-mounted controls that can perform all of the same functions. Fetishists will also delight in the new sound volume and fan speed controls, located below the screen, that also respond purely to finger input.

The info/entertainment system is one of the least fussy we’ve encountered on a luxury branded vehicle of late, which should bode well for Lincoln’s target audience, especially considering that on many competitors, it’s getting harder and harder to perform basic vehicle functions such as changing cabin temperature or selecting music.

In terms of feel and ergonomics, much of what we liked about the old MKX is still evident inside, including a surprising amount of head and second row rear legroom. Big improvements have, however, been made when it comes to the quality and finish of the cockpit. A leather-stitched dashboard is a new feature; blending in with the revised center stack. Tasteful applications of chrome trim and either Olive Ash or Walnut Swirl woodgrain, lend a classy look. Leather stitching is also carried over to the door panels while softer touch armrests add to the feeling of comfort and serenity.

Even the seats are revised, with a new signature ‘Tuxedo’ pattern. They’re decently supportive, with good rake and lumbar adjustment and combined with the available tilt and telescopic column fitted to our tester it’s easy to adopt a sound driving position.

                          

UNDER THE HOOD

Under the skin there are also notable changes, the most obvious being a new 3.7-liter V6 engine. With twin independent variable cam timing; the result is 305 horsepower a 6500 rpm and 280 ft-lbs of torque at 4000. Thanks to a lower idle speed (600 rpm), fuel shut-off and a variable-displacement power steering pump, the engine is notably more thrifty than the old 3.5 and Lincoln claims best in class fuel economy at 19 miles per gallon city/ 26 highway on front-drive models.

During our drive route, much of which consisted of stop and go street driving and busy highway merging, we weren’t able to quite manage that with our numbers coming up as 17.5 mpg city and around 24-mpg highway. That’s still notably better than some competitors while essentially matching our observations with the hallowed Lexus RX350.

Teamed with the engine is Ford’s six-speed automatic, with a manual select shift feature, though given that this powertrain combination provides strong, satisfying acceleration and ample power under nearly all traffic conditions, we can’t really understand why Lincoln uses awkward buttons on the shift lever for manual operation. A version of the MKS paddle system would just work so much better in this rig.

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Lincoln MKS EcoBoost

PREVIEW

SPECIFICATIONS

1. Powered by the same twin-turbo 3.5L V6 as in the Ford Taurus SHO, the MKS EcoBoost makes 355-hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. 2. EcoBoost models come standard with all-wheel drive. 3. MKS models start at $41,500 with EcoBoost versions jumping to $48,390. 4. Optional extras include 20-inch wheels, an EcoBoost appearance package inside and out, plus adaptive cruise control.

When the young parking attendant turned the car over to me, he said, “Boy, this Lincoln is a BIG car!” That provided a bit of a chuckle. Sure it’s a rather large vehicle by modern standards, but for those who grew up with the land yachts of the Lincoln brand’s past, it seems like a svelte speedboat. 

A 1963 Lincoln had yards of slab sided steel reaching 213-inches from front to back, weighed in at two-and-a-half tons, and rode on a pillowy soft 123-inch wheelbase. One could move the steering wheel 10 degrees on either side of dead center with barely a move of the front wheels. Making a right turn at anything above parade speed would send one’s girlfriend sliding across the bench leather seat and right into the driver’s outstretched right arm – a feature not listed in the sales brochure, but often a valuable benefit to the driver nonetheless.  But at the time, when no self respecting investment banker, captain of industry, or Mafia Don would be caught dead in a Mercedes Benz or BMW, it was the height of conspicuous luxury consumption.

Flash forward to today and the Lincoln MKS is still among the top of the luxury car list, but in a smaller, leaner, and much different driving package. It is nearly a foot shorter in both wheelbase and overall length as the Lincolns of yore, and about 800 lbs. lighter.  And this Lincoln MKS puts handling and performance at the top of the priority checklist, with no sacrifice to luxury comforts.

INTERIOR

Inside the spacious cabin, Lincoln uses the full vocabulary for what luxury car buyers look for. Stylish, but with a good handle on luxurious understated elegance. It has everything you’d want in an executive level interior, including an enormous amount of rear seat legroom, and a large trunk. There’s a handsome electroluminescent dash gauge package, as well as soft-touch double stitched leather that covers the dash, doors and center console. Thin strips of brushed aluminum trim dot the cabin – again not too flashy, just enough to look classy. The dual panel moonroof allows light to flood the cabin, and the fabric wind deflector works so well at diffusing the airflow into the cabin, no driver or passenger will ever need to worry about messing one’s hair when it’s open. 

The center stack is dominated by a large Navigation screen that also provides the driver with the ability to control almost everything in the car. And with Ford’s SYNC System, the driver can control music through the THX Sound system, telephone, and the Nav system with voice activation. All of the controls in the cabin are well laid out and easy to use. Another great feature is Adaptive Cruise Control.

One might take issue with the perforated heated and cooled front seats. They have a rather short seat bottom, which might catch some drivers at an uncomfortable place on the thigh, a few inches above the knee. On longer trips it can be irritating, as is the somewhat intrusive forward cant to the active headrests. Also, with all the amenities, it seems odd that Lincoln didn’t include electrically adjustable pedals for the gas and brake, as they fit on many less expensive cars. And while the ignition is push button, you still have to manually unlock the front door with the fob, or by pressing in a code on the door’s electric keypad.  It would be better to just walk up to the car and be able to open the door.

 

                                

UNDER THE HOOD

Our test car was outfitted with Lincoln’s 3.5-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo, direct injected V6.  It is designed to offer all the power of a V8, with the fuel economy of a V6. The power is certainly there, and considering the size of this machine, fuel mileage is too, at 17/25-mpg.

On tap is 355 horsepower at 5,700 rpm - but it’s the 350 lb-ft of torque that reaches it peak at only 3500 rpm that makes this engine so sweet for everyday driving. You’ll hit 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, and you awaken the twin turbo boost when you press hard on the accelerator when moving out to pass on a two lane road. No turbo lag, just power. And all that power comes on smoothly and with just enough exhaust note to let you know you’ve got some grunt under the hood.

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Lincoln MKS

PREVIEW

SPECIFICATIONS

1. The new MKS gets more power and better fuel economy than the 2012 model with the 3.7L V6 making 304-hp and delivering 18/27 mpg (FWD) or 18/26 mpg (AWD). 2. Exterior updates include LED taillights, new 19- and 20-inch wheels and an all-new front grille. 3. Inside the MKS replaces conventional knobs and buttons with a new MyLincoln Touch screen and redesigned center stack. 4. Added tech features include a redesigned center stack with MyLincoln Touch, as well as the optional Lane Keeping Aid that will warn the driver and even add torque to the steering to pull the car back into its lane. 5. The Lincoln Drive Control allows for adjustment from Comfort to Sport of the car’s throttle response, steering feel, shift points and even suspension firmness.

Known primarily for their luxuriously soft ride and excellent comfort, design and power are two qualities that have not been at the forefront of what goes into a Lincoln vehicle for some time. However, things are changing in the world of this high-class American car manufacturer.

Stepping out of the shadow of Lincoln's classic Town Car, the newly released MKS is refreshed for 2013 with improved horsepower, better fuel economy, larger brakes, upgraded technology and cabin features along with updated styling.

EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR

If the grille comes as a shock outside, the impact-piece inside the 2013 MKS is an all-new instrument panel with the ultra modern MyLincoln Touch system. Improved since its launch it still requires a significant amount of practice and focused attention. Although the screen fonts are larger and bolder, it's not enough and the system can still overwhelm the driver with options and icons, making the search for rudimentary items like climate adjustment and audio tuning a tedious process.Distinguished yet accessible the new MKS is conservatively styled, apart from the new front grille. Aimed at making a statement, it achieves the goal of getting Lincoln noticed, though perhaps not in the right way. Along with that new design piece, the 2013 MKS gets a new hood and front fenders, as well as HID headlights, LED taillights, redesigned exhaust tips and 19- or available 20-inch wheels. The rear decklid has also been redesigned, as has access to the trunk, making it easier to get objects into the cavernous 19.2 fu-ft space.

On the plus side, the MKS can become a Wi-Fi hot spot when linked-up to a data-enabled smartphone. Passengers can get online on either their tablets or laptops courtesy of the Wi-Fi provided. However, what might seem like a helpful feature can instantly escalate the data usage, not to mention a sizeable monthly bill.

The dash is further updated with a single speedometer cluster with neighboring LCD panels displaying information such as rpm output, fuel economy, audio controls and navigation directions. For Lincoln’s parent company Ford, technology is as important as safety, comfort and performance. 

Helping keep the cabin luxuriously quiet are additional noise barriers and absorbers located in the front wheel wells, under the hood and in the trunk. Redesigned exterior rearview mirrors also reduce wind noise. 

Inside the cabin is tailored to be more cozy than engaging, though it’s hard to complain about the leather seating surfaces from Bridge of Weir, known for luxurious trims found in jets and yachts.

Seating in the new MKS is adaptive with standard climate controlled 12-way adjustable heated cooled bucket front seats, adjustable foot pedals and a heated power tilt/telescoping steering wheel. Designed to be a bonus to the front seats is a massage setting that is unfortunately distracting while driving and not really user-friendly to operate.

                                 

UNDER THE HOOD

Under the hood, the MKS engine options are either a 3.7-liter V6 or a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6. Drivers already pleased with the car’s horsepower delivery will enjoy the newly increased 304 horsepower at 6500 rpm versus the previous 274 horsepower in the standard 3.7L V6. The updated EcoBoost V6 produces 10 units more than the previous model making 365 horsepower at 5500 rpm and delivering 350 lb-ft of torque. Accompanying improved horsepower is better fuel economy bringing the MKS’s new EPA-estimated numbers to 18-mpg in the city and 27-mpg on the highway for the FWD V6, 18/26 for the AWD V6 and 17/25 for the turbocharged AWD V6.

Helping improve overall driving feel and move away from the steer-it-with-your-finger Lincolns of old is an updated electric steering system with a quick gear ratio to speed up response by 25 percent. While a comfort oriented ride, the MKS can surprise thanks to a Continuously Controlled Damping (CCD) system that monitors and adjusts the suspension settings up to 500 times per second delivering an even more engaging drive.

The CCD setup is integrated into Lincoln's Drive Control feature that allows the car to easily adapt to your driving mood. Gear selector options like 'Drive' and 'Sport' change-up the firmness, as well as shift points, throttle sensitivity, steering response and even the level of interference by the traction and stability control systems.

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Lincoln MKZ

SPECIFICATIONS

1. Three engines are offered on the 2013 Lincoln MKZ: a 2.0L EcoBoost 4-cylinder, a 300 horsepower V6 and a 45 MPG hybrid. 2. Engineers dispensed with the traditional console-mounted gear-shifter, replacing it with a lineup of push-buttons on the dashboard. 3. Priced from $36,000 our V6-powered all-wheel-drive model starts at about 40 grand, with our tester at $51,000!

PREVIEW

Lincoln is a brand on the brink of death. At best its parent company Ford has been a neglectful guardian, at worst they’ve been downright abusive. Once a proud company that could go bumper-to-bumper with the world’s best, the Blue Oval’s domestic luxury division has been starved of product for the better part of a decade and a half. The Lincoln of today is an emaciated silhouette of what it once was. 

Ford executives have promised to resuscitate this patient with a phalanx of distinctive new vehicles. The first of this assault to splash ashore on dealership beachheads is the 2013 MKZ. The car sports a striking new design and lots of clever touches, but is that enough to pull the rechristened Lincoln Motor Company out of its perennial quagmire.

INTERIOR

But trumping even its elevated backside is a retractable glass roof. It crowns the MKZ’s top with a pane of glazing large enough to be measured in acres. Actually, it covers 15.2 square feet, which is probably more than some Manhattan apartments. It’s undeniably cool to watch this giant sheet of glass pop up and slide backwards over the rear window. But as neat as the panoramic ceiling is, be warned; it’s a $2,995 option and it significantly hampers rearward visibility when deployed. Still it lets the sunshine in like a convertible with none of rattles or structural jiggles associated with a drop-top.

Push-button start is as common as personal bankruptcies these days, but Lincoln engineers took this idea one step further. They eliminated the traditional gear-selector, replacing it with buttons on the dashboard. It unclutters the cabin and opens up a host of possibilities for the center console’s newfound real estate.The MKZ’s exterior may be equal parts delight and dismay but there are plenty of things to smile about inside. Everything is clean and elegant, especially the sweeping dashboard and cascading center console, the dominant element in the car’s cabin. Even the materials are rich and inviting, particularly the leather on the seats. Add it all up and the MKZ’s cockpit speaks luxury in soft but sincere tones.

Speaking of the rear seat, it’s one of the car’s more disappointing features. It’s cramped back there. If you’re of the gangly persuasion you won’t be comfortable for long. Even more troubling is the headroom situation, with no space if any part of your body approaches the six-foot mark.The devil’s in the details and surprisingly for a domestic automaker Lincoln is paying attention to the little things. For instance, the front-seat headrests ratchet so just about any person can get comfortable. The power seat controls are highlighted in fine chrome details and designers even used the rear-seat reading lamps as an opportunity to do something artistic. The lights and buttons to control them are integrated into the headliner. They actually shine through the woven fabric covering the roof. It’s a clever design flourish, but one that will probably lead to ugly stains over time. Make sure the MKZ’s back bench is a Cheetos-free zone.

UNDER THE HOOD

Fuel economy is not one of the car’s strong suits, either. With the six-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive it stickers at 18 miles per gallon in city driving and 26 on freeway jaunts. Unfortunately in our hands the MKZ only delivered 17 MPG.The test car provided for evaluation was powered by a 3.7-liter V6, the largest and most powerful engine offered in the MKZ. It’s a staple of the Ford lineup and sees duty in the vehicles like the Mustang and F-150. In Lincoln service it delivers an unremarkable 300 horsepower with 277 pound-feet of torque, and plenty of vibration. The blue-collar Duratec V6 engine family has never been known for silky-smoothness and this one continues that unfortunate tradition. It buzzes far more than a luxury-car engine should; it almost feels like a riot is taking place ahead of the firewall. It’s not as harsh as an Osterizer full of walnut shells, but it’s not satisfying to wind out, either.

Giving shoppers some welcome variety in their diet, the car is also offered with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine as well as a hybrid drivetrain. The turbo puts out 240 horsepower while the electric allegedly delivers up to 45 mpg in mixed driving.

On paper 300 horsepower sounds impressive but in practice it’s less than awe-inspiring. To be certain, the MKZ is a quick car, but it’s not fast. Undoubtedly part of the problem is weight. As delivered for testing the car clocked in at more than 4,000 pounds!The range-topping MKZ V6 we test drove featured all-wheel drive. This is a great feature if you live in an area that gets smothered in snow, but it’s probably not necessary for most drivers. It adds weight and complexity, plus it seems to blunt the engine’s responsiveness.

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Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

SPECIFICATIONS

1. A 2.0L 4-cylidner and electric motor combine to deliver 188 hp. 2. Fuel economy is rated at 45 mpg in the city and on the highway 3. Priced identical to the entry-level gas model, the MKZ Hybrid starts at $35,925.

PREVIEW

Quality problems at Ford’s assembly plant in Hermosillo, Mexico caused months of production delays for its all-new Lincoln MKZ. Despite that, there were still thousands of hand raisers ready and willing to take delivery of their American luxury cars. Some among them became proud owners of the purportedly fuel-friendly hybrid version. Was theirs an astute choice or one mislead by the Shangri-La of modern fuel economy estimates.

Does the idea of mass-market flying cars in the next 50 years seem silly to you? Rewind as many years and the idea might have seemed plausible. Hanna-Barbera’s cartoon predictions about family propulsion are off a few turns of the Mayan calendar, but the futuristic look is sitting in Lincoln showrooms today.

 

The MKZ looks more like an alien spacecraft than it does a mid-size luxury sedan. Credit the copious head turning it encourages to the space-age sheet metal and glass. That look moves from ludicrous speed to plaid when you choose the optional 19-inch alloy wheels crammed full of small spokes.

Perhaps the most visually striking features of the car come from the roof and rear – the grille being a touch excessive. An optional retractable glass roof rises and slides back over the rear window. It obstructs most of the rear window when open, significantly harming rear visibility, but is so large it makes the MKZ feel almost like a convertible. There’s also a fixed glass roof available as a less costly option. 

Around the rear, you’ll find a solid light bar and widely-spaced “Lincoln” lettering capping off a very short caboose. But the car’s rake masks what is actually a large trunk — unless you buy the hybrid. In that case, much of the trunk is taken up by the car’s electrical components. In fact, you only get 11.1 cubic feet of cargo room, smaller than what you might find in any compact sedan.

 

INTERIOR

Aluminum accent panels look nice and the soft touch materials are equally welcome. There are also scores of plastic pieces composing the cabin. The traditional gear selection knob is replaced by buttons along the center stack to select drive, reverse, neutral and low gear modes. 

That plastic continues down over the storage compartments and cup holders, both of which are hidden. It might sound cheap, but it doesn’t feel that way. Pushing a button releases the cover, splitting it open to reveal the usual cargo spaces. It wouldn’t work in most cars, but with the gray plastic heavily steeped in modern style works beside the MKZ’s eccentric modern style.

If there’s any downside to the interior it’s that you’re stuck with MyLincoln Touch, which apart from being confusing for newcomers, has larger issues, namely, a hard drive that freezes and even crashes.

UNDER THE HOOD

During a week of real-world driving in congested city traffic, the readout reported averaging roughly 32 mpg. It sat at 35 in lighter city traffic, but both are disappointingly far from the promised mileage. Creeping from every stoplight, you might be able to manage better than that, but not by very much. Low-speed highway driving will actually achieve the EPA numbers, but you’ll need to peg cruise control at about 60 mph to do it. Those numbers fall dramatically if you keep up with traffic.

Don’t forget to keep things in perspective. This is still a luxury sedan that you’ll regularly beat 30 mpg driving in city conditions. Doesn’t that deserve some respect? With 188 hp it’s silly to expect any sort of spirited acceleration from this car. It just isn’t there.

A hint of initial torque from the hybrid system tugs the car forward, but that fades as quickly as it merges. Dull, slow acceleration is all you’re left to deal with. But with a 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle engine, that’s less of a disappointment and more of an unfortunate expectation.

Soulless acceleration also isn’t helped by the fact that you’re saddled with a continuously variable transmission. Should it matter that the car’s gas pedal makes The King’s Speech seem like a white-knuckle thriller? Probably not when you consider that this car isn’t being billed as one of the industry’s fence-straddling performance hybrids.  It’s meant to be comfortable and fuel efficient, and arguably it offers both. Yes, the fuel consumption deserves an asterisk, but the ride really doesn’t. 

Lincoln uses continuously controlled damping to deliver a smooth passenger experience. Cooled seats are available, but the buckets are remarkably comfortable regardless of whether or not you choose to check that option box. 

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