2010 Lincoln MKZ Overview Change Vehicle

This 2010 Lincoln MKZ review explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2010 MKZ, and includes Lincoln MKZ safety, reliability, and fuel economy ratings.

Lincoln substantially updates the MKZ sedan for 2010, and the changes are more than skin deep. In addition to a restyled exterior and a quieter, redesigned interior with higher quality materials, genuine wood or aluminum trim, and new seats covered in perforated, unembossed Bridge of Weir leather, the 2010 MKZ is equipped with a new and more powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine, revised steering and suspension, and a whole bunch of new technology. Lincoln is even selling a Sport Appearance Package aimed at more enthusiastic drivers.

New standard features include a reversing camera system, a Sync hands-free communication and entertainment system with a new 911 Assist safety feature, heated and cooled front seats, a leather-and-wood steering wheel, an interior air filter, and an Easy Fuel cap-less fuel filling system. New options include voice-activated navigation with a larger touchscreen, Sirius Travel Link real-time traffic and weather, THX-II Certified 5.1 Surround Sound with a 10-gig hard-drive jukebox, HID adaptive headlights that swivel to shine around dark corners, rain-sensing wipers, and a Blind-spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert.

Lincoln sells the MKZ in a single level of specification. Option packages add sets of addition features, and there are a handful of individual items available. Standard equipment includes entry-luxury sedan basics plus 10-way power front seats, heated and cooled and wrapped in perforated and unembossed Bridge of Weir leather. The cabin is trimmed in genuine wood, the steering wheel is leather and wood, and the side mirrors are heated, equipped with approach lamps, and feature an auto-dimming function on the driver’s side. A reversing camera with a display in the rearview mirror is standard, along with six free months of satellite radio service and Sync hands-free communication and entertainment technology with 911 Assist. This latter feature can automatically dial 9-1-1 when the airbags deploy, as long as a cell phone is paired with Sync, to summon rescuers after an accident. In standard trim, the MKZ features 17-inch machined-finish alloy wheels and LED taillights.

The first upgrade package is the Technology Package. It includes ambient cabin lighting, rain-sensing wipers, and high-intensity discharge (HID) adaptive headlights. A Navigation Package is also available, and it has the new voice-activated navigation system with the 10-gig jukebox feature, and the MKZ’s new BLIS with Cross Traffic Alert system. The Ultimate Package includes all this stuff plus chrome wheels, a power sunroof, and THX-II Certified 5.1 Surround Sound.

The power sunroof is available separately on any MKX, while the THX-II audio system and the chrome wheels can be added individually to models with the Technology or Navigation Packages. An Interior Aluminum Trim Package replaces the MKZ’s wood interior décor with genuine aluminum. New for 2010 is the Sport Appearance Package, which includes the aluminum interior trim plus 18-inch polished aluminum wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, luxury-trimmed seats with Tuxedo piping, body-color door handles, black grille bars, and smoked headlamp lenses.

One of the big changes this year is the installation of a 3.5-liter V6 under the 2010 MKZ’s hood. This new V6 makes 263 horsepower and drives the front or all four wheels through a six-speed SelectShift automatic that features manual shift control. Lincoln claims the MKZ can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds, shaving more than half a second off of last year’s car. Fuel economy is rated 18 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive. AWD models are expected to return 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.

Every 2010 Lincoln MKZ is equipped with eight airbags, including side-impact airbags for rear seat passengers. AdvanceTrac stability and traction control is also included, along with four-wheel ventilated-disc antilock brakes and an SOS Post Crash Alert system that activates the flashers and sounds the horn after a crash. A reversing camera system and Sync 911 Assist are also standard equipment. Optional safety features include rain-sensing wipers, HID adaptive headlights, and BLIS with Cross Traffic Alert.

The MKZ is a crashworthy car, too. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the car 5-Star ratings for the driver in a frontal- or side-impact collision, and for the rear passenger in a side-impact crash. The MKZ gets 4-Star ratings in all other crash-test assessments. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety calls the MKZ a Top Safety Pick, but this laurel only applies to models built after April of 2010. Prior to that date, the MKZ’s roof crush strength test result was an Acceptable rating instead of the highest Good rating.

As far as reliability is concerned, the MKZ is a mixed bag. Consumer Reports says this Lincoln will provide average reliability in front-drive format, but rates the AWD as much worse than average. J.D. Power and Associates provides a much different view, predicting dependability will be much better than average.

The Lincoln MKZ might not be the most exciting entry-level luxury sedan, or the one that catches the eye of passersby, or the one that screams to the world: “Look at me! I am successful.” However, it is an incredibly smart, value-laden choice. Safe, dependable (according to J.D. Power), and loaded with uncommon features and a relatively low price, the 2010 Lincoln MKZ is a practical, intelligent, thinking person’s kind of luxury sedan.

By Christian Wardlaw