2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

Overview

The 2011 Lincoln MKZ shows styling cues for the Lincoln brand and has a touch of elegance in the interior. The exterior design needs to be re-styled so that the Fusion sibling cannot be recognized.

Ford needs to take the MKZ to the next design level with some additional styling cues. The gas mileage is fantastic and the fact, that Ford is not charging more for a Hybrid version of the MKZ says a lot about this model.

Driving Experience

The MKZ has a lot of get up and go for a Hybrid, and the car has excellent handling when taking hard turns.

The MKZ Hybrid can hold its own, and the electric power steering is well tuned and provided a comfortable drive experience. The suspension provides a smooth ride over rough roads.  At 41-mpg city and 36-mpg highway, the MKZ Hybrid is fantastic for low speed, stop and go driving.

Safety

  • 4-wheel ABS
  • Front and rear head airbags
  • Dual front side-mounted airbags
  • Child seat anchors
  • Remote anti-theft alarm system
  • Ventilated front disc / solid rear disc brakes
  • Rear door child safety locks
  • Engine immobilizer
  • Front fog/driving lights
  • Auto delay off headlamps
  • Dusk sensing headlamps
  • 2 front headrests
  • 3 rear headrests
  • Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation
  • Rear center 3-point belt
  • Front seatbelt pretensioners
  • Stability control
  • Traction control
  • Electronic brake force distribution
  • Emergency interior trunk release
  • Front height adjustable headrests
  • Rear height adjustable headrests
  • Post-collision safety system
  • Tire pressure monitoring

Under the Hood

The drive train has a   2.5-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine, which (produces 106-horsepower electric motor) 191 horsepower . The MKZ Hybrid has acceptable acceleration, which can handle most road situations.

Inside

The MKZ Hybrid has the THX audio system, which has a 600-watt amp and 14 speakers, and the system includes two subwoofers and a center channel array at the top of the dashboard. The system uses a new digital signal processing technology called DTS Neural Surround, designed to transform the stereo audio from an MP3 player into surround sound.  There is 10 gigabytes of space on the hard drive for music storage

That navigation system is excellent and calculates routes with ease. The maps are OK, but street labels are easy to read and it includes both 2D and 3D views. You can access traffic, gas prices, and movie times.

Sync also works automatic 911-call feature and a maintenance report on the car. A Sync Apps screen shows these services, and includes slots for future apps

The interior is elegant and the seats conform to your body when driving any and road condition.

Lincoln offers a few driver assistance features with the MKZ Hybrid. We had a rear-view camera and blind-spot detection on our car, which both worked very well Other available features are Rain-sensing windshield wipers and adaptive headlights are nice luxury touches.

Outside

Lincoln’s designers still have a way to go to create a separate identity for the MKZ. The average person can detect the Fusion underneath the MKZ sheet metal. The MKZ Hybrid has different sheet metal from the A-pillar forward. More subtle fenders, a hood with fewer compound details and, of course, Lincoln’s baleen grille on the front fascia are additions that do well to differentiate the MKZ from its more common cousin. Likewise, splashes of chrome along the lower fascia, mirrors and windowsills also help to separate the Fusion and the MKZ.

Summary

Foe the same price as a gas aspirated MKZ you can purchase a 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The car really excels in cabin tech. like the Sync system. The MKZ is worth taking a look at if you are in the market for a nicely equipped Hybrid

Specifications

Exterior

  • Width: 72.2 in.
  • Height: 56.8 in.
  • Length: 189.8 in.
  • Front track: 61.3 in.
  • Rear track: 61.0 in.
  • Wheelbase: 107.4 in.
  • Cargo capacity, all seats in place: 11.8 cu.ft.
  • Maximum cargo capacity: 11.8 cu.ft.
  • EPA interior volume: 110.8 cu.ft.

Interior

Front Seats

  • Front headroom: 38.7 in.
  • Front hip room: 54.0 in.
  • Front legroom: 42.3 in.
  • Front shoulder room: 57.2 in.
  • Multi-level heating passenger seat
  • 10 -way power passenger seat
  • 10 -way power driver seat
  • Passenger seat with power adjustable lumbar support
  • Multi-level heating driver seat
  • Driver seat with power adjustable lumbar support
  • Height adjustable driver seat
  • Height adjustable passenger seat
  • Premium leather
  • Bucket front seats

Rear Seats

  • Rear hip Room: 53.5 in.
  • Rear headroom: 37.8 in.
  • Rear legroom: 36.7 in.
  • Rear shoulder room: 55.8 in.
  • Folding with storage center armrest

Comments are closed.