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Car Review:
At some point in the 1990s, entry-level luxury
cars didn't just have to be luxurious they also had to be "sporty." I'm
not sure why this happened. Perhaps it's because people who write about
cars, folks like me, tend to prefer fast, nimble cars instead of big,
plodding ones, so the car makers figured they could get better reviews
if they started copying fast cars.
They knew if they made
luxury cars that felt like race cars, it would please us delusional
freaks who think we could win the Indy 500 if we just weren't so fat.
In any case, most small
luxury cars today have the same suspension setup as a Radio Flyer wagon.
They feel bumpy, firm and rough, amplifying every little pebble to
jiggle your elbows and make you think you're driving something exciting.
That's fun. But it's not everybody's idea of luxury.
Lincoln takes a
different approach with its smallest car, the MKZ. This sedan has a
soft, squishy suspension that wafts you down the road like you're
floating on a giant Coleman air mattress. It's soft and supple, exactly
the opposite of the granite suspension in a sports car. And you know the
most amazing part? It still handles well.
The all-wheel-drive MKZ
doesn't beg to be pushed hard like the luxury skateboards it competes
with. But when you do push it, it reacts surprisingly well, cool and
controlled, with excellent balance through the turns.
This should come as no
surprise because it's based on the same platform as the fun-to-drive
Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan, neither of which are as smooth as the
Lincoln sibling.
The MKZ also takes a
dramatically different styling direction from the Ford and Mercury
flavors, more inside than out. While the body has the same basic shape
of its plebeian relatives, with a few well-placed creases and more
prominent grille to set it apart, the Lincoln's cabin is a unique retro
feast.
The squared-off dash
has a decidedly '80s look with very clear analog gauges set deep in the
instrument pod. It's a nice style and a welcome change from other luxury
car interiors, which increasingly seem to be nothing more than a shrine
to beige.
Only one engine is
available, and it's not bad. A 3.5-liter V6 engine that makes 263
horsepower, which is just enough to have fun without getting into too
much trouble.
This car also has
several advantages compared with its faster, and often smaller,
competitors. It offers more interior space, including a really roomy
back seat, and more trunk space than any other cars in its class. It
also has 10-way power seats and lots of standard luxury features.
One feature in
particular would put it on my shopping list: it comes standard with
climate-controlled seats that keep your backside cool on hot days, a
godsend for those of us in the Deep South.
Best of all, the MKZ
comes with a price that undercuts most of its competitors, starting
under $31,000. That's a lot of car for the money, considering it doesn't
cost much more than a loaded Fusion. And it's proof that "sporty"
doesn't always mean "rough enough to knock your teeth loose."
What was
tested? The 2008 Lincoln MKZ AWD with a base
price of $32,425. Options on the test car: Navigation system $1,895,
power moonroof $1,200, high-intensity headlamps $495, interior upgrade
package $195, stereo upgrade $995. Total MSRP as tested including a $740
destination charge: $37,945.
Why avoid it?
It's not as exciting as the rough-riding competitors.
Why buy it?
It's smooth and quiet, more so than the "sporty" cars that are popular
in the entry-level luxury class. It's also affordable and comes with
standard climate-controlled seats.
By Derek Price ©
AutoWire.Net - San Francisco
Byline: Car
Review provided by Tony Leopardo ©
AutoWire.Net
Lincoln Home Page
Column Name: Small
Lincoln a Smooth Operator
Topic: The 2008 Lincoln
MKZ
Word Count: 682
Photo Caption: The 2008
Lincoln MKZ
Photo Credits: Lincoln
MKZ Internet Media
Series #: 2008 - 46
Download
the Microsoft Word version here:
2008 Lincoln MKZ
Download the Original Image File here:
2008 Lincoln MKZ
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