2011 Lincoln MKZ Overview Change Vehicle

This 2011 Lincoln MKZ review explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2011 MKZ, and includes Lincoln MKZ safety, reliability, and fuel economy ratings.

After a significant update for 2010, the MKZ lineup adds a new gasoline/electric hybrid model that gets up to 41 mpg in the city, can go up to 47 mph on battery power alone, and which makes a combined total of 191 horsepower. Best of all, the Hybrid doesn’t cost any more than a standard MKZ. Other changes this year include new integrated blind-spot side mirrors, new MyKey programmable safety feature technology, new HD Radio technology, and new Sync Traffic, Directions and Information service with turn-by-turn navigation, real-time traffic, and news, weather, sports, and stocks reports.

For 2011, there are two Lincoln MKZ models, each equipped the same way and priced identically. Both the standard V6 model and the new-for-2011 MKZ Hybrid model come loaded with features. Highlights include real wood interior trim, a wood-and-leather steering wheel, and 10-way power heated and cooled front seats. Perforated Bridge of Weir leather upholstery is standard, along with a reversing camera and Sync hands-free Bluetooth technology with new Traffic, Directions and Information service and 911 Assist. For 2011, MyKey is also standard, and it allows parents to set seatbelt reminders, speed warnings, and to limit maximum vehicle velocity and stereo volume for when teenaged drivers are in the household. Heated side blind-spot mirrors, 17-inch machined-finish alloy wheels, and LED taillights are also standard on the MKZ, and the MKZ Hybrid is equipped with a SmartGauge with EcoGuide system that displays a bloom of white flowers the more economically you drive the car.

Three main option packages are offered on the 2011 MKZ models. The Technology Package includes HID adaptive headlights that swivel with the steering to help illuminate around curves, rain-sensing wipers, and ambient cabin lighting. The Navigation Package includes a voice-activated navigation system, a hard-drive jukebox, HD Radio, and a Blind-spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert. The Ultimate Package includes Technology and Navigation Package features plus a power sunroof, THX-II Certified 5.1 Surround Sound, and chrome wheels.

In addition to these three main option packages, the MKZ V6 models can be equipped with an all-wheel-drive system, a self-explanatory Interior Aluminum Trim Package, and a Sport Appearance Package. The Sport Appearance Package includes aluminum interior trim plus a sport suspension, 18-inch polished aluminum wheels, exterior trim enhancements, and Tuxedo piping on the seats. Lincoln also offers a few of these features as stand-alone items, depending on model and package selections.

In the MKZ V6, a 3.5-liter V6 engine makes 263 horsepower, is bolted to a six-speed SelectShift automatic with manual shift control, and delivers power to the front or all four wheels. Fuel economy ratings are 18 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive and 17-city/24-highway with AWD.

The MKZ Hybrid features a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine paired with an electric assist motor powered by a 275-volt nickel-metal hydride rechargeable battery pack. A regenerative braking system does the recharging, and the MKZ Hybrid’s front wheels do the driving through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Combined, the horsepower rating is 191 ponies, and the MKZ Hybrid is rated to get 41 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. One reason the city fuel economy rating is so impressive is that the MKZ Hybrid can accelerate up to 47 mph on battery power alone.

The 2011 Lincoln MKZ comes standard with a long list of safety features. Eight airbags, including side-impact airbags for rear seat passengers, are standard, along with AdvanceTrac stability and traction control, four-wheel ventilated-disc antilock brakes, an SOS Post Crash Alert system that activates the flashers and sounds the horn after a crash, and MyKey programmable vehicle features. Integrated blind-spot mirrors, a reversing camera system and Sync 911 Assist are also standard, while rain-sensing wipers, HID adaptive headlights, and a Blind-spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert are on the options list.

When it comes to crash-test performance, the MKZ stumbles a bit for 2011. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has revised its testing procedures, making it more difficult for a vehicle to achieve a top 5-Star rating. Since the MKZ’s basic structural engineering dates to the mid-Aughts, it comes as no surprise that frontal-impact crashworthiness is now rated 3-Stars overall, with the driver getting a 4-Star rating and the front passenger protected at 3-Star levels. The MKZ also falters in the side-impact test, the driver receiving 4-Star protection and the front passenger benefitting from a 3-Star crash performance. Resistance to rollover continues to be rated 4 Stars for front-drive models and 5-Stars for the MKZ AWD.

If you prefer to give more credence to the results achieved by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, then you’ll be happy to know that the 2011 MKZ is considered to be a Top Safety Pick thanks to its Good performance in offset frontal-, side-, and rear-impact tests coupled with a Good roof crush strength rating.

According to Consumer Reports, the MKZ AWD model should be avoided. The ratings company expects its reliability to be below average. Other models, however, should prove to deliver better than average reliability over time. J.D. Power and Associates predicts that dependability will be even better, rating much better than average.

Last year, we called the Lincoln MKZ a practical, intelligent, thinking person’s kind of luxury sedan. We stand by that assessment today. Reasonably safe, dependable, and practical, the MKZ is also reasonably equipped and priced. And the new MKZ Hybrid – which costs no more than the MKZ V6 – is an exceptionally good value.

By Christian Wardlaw