Used 2012 Lincoln MKZ for sale 

The Lincoln MKZ is available in two different trims; MKZ / MKZ hybrid. The hybrid variant of the sedan will be reviewed separately. The gasoline variant is equipped with the 3.5 L V6 and six-speed automatic transmission. The base variant is available for $34,755. It is itself pretty well equipped with features like 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights, dual-zone automatic climate control, eight-way power front seats, Bluetooth phone, and audio connectivity, rearview camera, and so on.

We Recommend

The Lincoln MKZ is an excellent choice for a luxury sedan in today’s market. Since there is only one trim level available, the only thing to recommend this in terms of optional extras. Right off the bat, the car is well equipped. For this reason, we recommend the Lincoln MKZ that should meet all demands of luxury buyers with ease. However, we felt that the navigation package and executive package really add to the appeal of the car.

The Lincoln MKZ comes with a 3.5 L V-6 that produces 263 hp and 249 pound-feet of torque. This is then paired to a six-speed automatic transmission and power is sent to the front wheels while all-wheel-drive is optional.

The base sedan reaches the 60 mph mark in 6.5 seconds and completes a quarter-mile in 15.3 seconds which makes it adequately quick. It feels refined and smooth and is a great combination for this car.

The Buick is the most powerful car of the lot but the Acura TL manages to get ahead of it in terms of 0 to 60 mph times. The Lincoln MKZ finds itself in the segment with some hot competition but is the lowest-performing car in the segment. It is competing against cars that are not truly luxurious but also have not cut corners in terms of performance. 

In comparison, the Lexus ES 350 strikes the better balance, while the Lincoln leaves a bit to be desired. This is reflected in terms of real-world performance as well, but one can never feel that the Lincoln is a slow car.

Fuel efficiency is generally not a very strong point in cars that have midsize luxury tax attached to them. However, things have changed for the better as even this class has laid its focus on producing cars that are light on the pocket. The Lincoln is estimated by the EPA to produce 21 MPG in the combined cycle, 18 MPG in the city, and 27 on the highway.

All-wheel-drive drops these figures by one MPG each, which is not too bad either. The sedan however compensates in terms of the range due to its rather large fuel tank capacity of 18 gallons, resulting in 324 miles of city range and 486 miles on the highway.

In comparison, Lincoln falls back in terms of fuel efficiency despite being the lowest performer. The Acura’s engine starts to depict why it is much less powerful as it is a car that returns the best fuel efficiency. The Lexus again strikes the best compromise of the lot because it is the most powerful car while managing to perform better than most in the department. The only saving grace for the Lincoln is that the Buick LaCrosse is a little worse in terms of fuel efficiency.

As we said, the Lincoln is very closely related to the Ford Fusion, but the semblance remains only in terms of the overall structure. The materials used are much more superior, and the design is truly a class apart.

Their detail is definitely comparable to European luxury cars and this is a complement of the highest order. It offers a decent trunk space at 15.4 ft.³, which is close to segment standard.

All cars in the category offer excellent interior space, and one cannot certainly complain about the lack of features in either one as well. However, the roofline of the Lincoln does eat up a bit of headroom. In terms of material quality as well as space, the Lexus ES 350 performs much better than its rivals. Some of its interior features include:

• Cruise Control
• Keyless Ignition
• Dual Illuminating Vanity Mirrors
• Front And Rear Cupholders
• Synthetic Leather Upholstery
• 10-Way Power-Adjustable Front Seats

2012 Lincoln MKZ Infotainment unit

The infotainment unit in the Lincoln MKZ is truly excellent and represents one of the best we have seen. It is an 8-inch touchscreen interface that comes with an 11 speaker sound system and includes a CD player, Bluetooth, navigation, and so on. This is one of the biggest strengths of the car. Few standout infotainment features available with the pickup are-

• Memory Card Slot
• Satellite Radio With Real-Time Traffic Satellite Radio
• Video Monitor
• USB Connection
• Bluetooth Connectivity
• Navigation

The exterior design of the new Lincoln MKZ could very well be a classic, but it has split opinion into two camps. Some feel that the car is good-looking while others feel it is a badly replicated design of some very expensive cars.

We feel that it is a decent design nevertheless and its proportions are elegant even the fire details can certainly be improved. The sedan weighs the heaviest at 4702 lbs and stands 5.9 inches above the ground.

The Lincoln is the largest car in its class in all aspects except length where the Buick is much longer. At 4,702 pounds, it is a much heavier car than its competitors, which explains why it is much slower in terms of acceleration. However, despite its lower ground clearance, it is still one of the highest offered in class, and the wheelbase being long, is a great addition to its stable composure. Some standout exterior features include:

• Front License Plate Bracket
• 19" Polished Machined-Aluminum Wheels W/Painted Pockets
• Single Panel Moonroof
• Retractable Panoramic Roof
• LED Headlights
• Active Grille Shutters

The Lincoln MKZ has undergone the NHTSA crash test and scored an excellent five stars, while in the IIHS crash test, it earned a top score of ‘Good’ in the moderate-overlap frontal-offset, side-impact, roof strength, and glass protection tests. It has active as well as passive safety features. Some standout safety features include:

• Forward Collision Warning
• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Blind-Spot Monitoring
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Lane Keep Assist
• Driver Drowsiness Monitoring
• Rear Parking Sensors

The 2012 Lincoln MKZ is a great midsize luxury American car. It is a much more luxurious and feature-loaded counterpart to the Ford Fusion and also performs quite well. However, the Lexus ES 350 offers nearly better features and a better powertrain at the same price. All in all, the Lexus would be a better pick in the segment.