Used 2020 Lincoln MKZ for sale 

2020 Lincoln MKZ is segregated into 2 well-defined trim levels, Standard and Reserve. The standard choice of engine is a 2L turbocharged inline-4 unit. However, with the Reserve trim, there is an option for a 3L twin-turbo V6. Both FWD and AWD drivetrain are available with both the trim levels. The AWD drivetrain comes at an additional cost of $2000.

The standard list of features with the 2020 Lincoln MKZ is pretty impressive. You’ll be treated with a wide range of convenience features such as Electric parking brake, Auto High-Beam Headlamps, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go, Rain-Sensing Windshield Wipers, LED-illuminated exterior door handle pockets, Lincoln logo illuminated welcome mats, 10.1" configurable LCD instrument cluster screen, Dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control, Push-button shift transmission, Universal garage door opener and a lot. The features list on the reserve trim only gets more impressive.

Which trim do we recommend?

If you can do without the V6 motor, we suggest you opt for the Standard trim. The feature list is pretty impressive and the power figures are also the same as the Reserve trim with the I-4 unit. The choice of drivetrain totally depends on your needs.

2020 MKZ remains unchanged from its last iteration. Thus the 2L turbocharged Inline-4 motor remains the standard choice for both the trims. This unit is good for 245 horses and 275 lb-ft of pulling force. This engine comes mated to a 6-Speed Automatic gearbox that transfers the power to the front or all 4 wheels. The shifts are efficient, but there is a noticeable lag. The gear ratios are also comparatively larger than most of the competitors which makes the MKZ slower than most of the competitors.

The Reserve trim gets an option for a twin-turbo 3L V6 unit that is good for 400 horses. Yes, that right! The peak torque also clocks in at 400 lb-ft. This powerplant also gets Dynamic Torque Vectoring for an improved driving experience. Transmission duties are taken care of by the same gearbox. However, AWD drivetrain is standard with the V6 motor.

The I-4 unit is very capable for the daily city commutes. Yes, the engine is flat in the lower revs as compared to the rivals, yet there will be no major complaints. However, the fuel economy is something that might be a deal-breaker for many folks. Even with the FWD drivetrain, this motor only delivers a combined fuel economy of 24 mpg.

The story is entirely different with the V6 motor. The twin-turbo powerplant. With the power of 400 horses, the MKZ becomes a beast. There is no need for so much power for your daily commutes. It is the highway where this car feels at home. You’ll be able to cruise at triple-digit speeds all day long. This motor also makes for a really engaging driving experience.

How fast is the MKZ?

The MKZ is the slowest car of the lot, at least with the base four-banger motor under the hood. Its large gear ratios of the MKZ only makes the case worse. At 3739 lbs, it is also one of the heaviest cars in the segment. All of these factors contribute to the sluggish acceleration of the 2020 MKZ.

The 0-60 run takes 7.6 seconds while the quarter-mile run clocks in at 15.3 seconds. Talking about the competition, BMW 3 Series is the quickest of the lot. The Bimmer only takes 5.6 seconds to reach 60 mph from naught. The quarter-mile run is also completed in just 14.1 seconds.

However, things take a different turn with the V6 motor. The MKZ becomes a totally different beast with this powerplant. The 0-60 run takes just 4.8 seconds while the quarter-mile run clocks in at 13.4 seconds.

How well does it stop?

This Lincoln is one of the heaviest cars in this segment with a curb weight of 3739 lbs. The pedal feels engaging with the apt response time. Hence, the brakes are easy to modulate and will tackle the city’s constant stops with no sweat.

The car has a stopping distance (60-0 mph) of 113 feet which is again notable for its weight and size. Under regular usage, there is no nosedive. However, it becomes fairly prominent when brakes are applied under emergency conditions.

Talking about the braking setup, the MKZ ships with ventilated disc brakes assisted by ABS on all four wheels. The front and rear wheels get identical brake rotors, with a diameter of 12.4 inches.

How well does it handle?

The overall ride quality of the 2020 Lincoln MKZ is calm and composed. The adaptive suspension does a really good job of masking the minor road imperfections. The road bumps are well contained. Acoustic insulation of the MKZ is very efficient and the road and engine noise is kept out of the cabin. The MKZ is an excellent highway cruiser.

The MKZ with the base engine doesn’t make for a very engaging driving experience. It is okay for the city but on the highway, it is very dull. The V6 gives this sedan the power of 400 horses and transforms it into a totally different car. Dynamic Torque Vectoring along with the available Sport-Tuned suspension makes every turn crisp and precise.

Fuel economy is one of the weakest aspects of the 2020 MKZ. It lags well behind all of its competitors. The base 2L engine with FWD drivetrain returns a fuel economy of 20 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. If you opt for the AWD drivetrain, the figure further goes down to 29 mpg on the highway.

The V6 motor has a totally different story to tell. Wity the standard AWD drivetrain, you will be able to drive 17 miles on a gallon of gas in the city and 26 miles on the highway. There is also the optional FWD drivetrain that returns a slightly better fuel economy of 18 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

The interiors of the 2020 MKZ reflects its age. The asymmetrical center console along with the dated dashboard design will take you a couple of years back. The quality of the materials is also inferior to its rivals. However, Lincoln has tried very hard to hide the fact by covering it with soft-touch materials. Yet, it is no match to some of its rivals, such as the BMW 3 Series.

The cabin is spacious and airy. The available sunroof makes the cabin look bigger than it actually is. The view of the road is also good. The seating position is also fairly comfortable and makes for a pleasurable driving experience.

The comfort level inside the MKZ is elevated by the cozy leather seats that come with 8-way power adjustments for height and lumbar. The seats are also heated to multi-levels. The rear seats come with folding armrest and split-folding rear seatbacks and rear ventilation ducts.

Space is also adequate. The front seats have ample space for the tallest of adults. The rear seats are spacious in their own rights, but lag behind some of its competitors such as the Arteon, CT5, and Stinger.

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The MKZ features an 8-inch infotainment screen featuring an 8-inch touch screen. The system is responsive and easy to use however, sometimes it can feel a little confusing to use features that could have been simple to use. Though, it’s better than the earlier jargon-phobic MYLincoln Touch system. You have smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The standard trim gets Lincoln Premium Sound System with AM/FM stereo, MP3 capability and 11 speakers while the Reserve gets an updated Revel Audio System with a single-CD player and 14 speakers, 12-channel amplifier and QuantumLogic Surround sound technology that includes HD Radio Technology. This trim also gets Voice-Activated Touchscreen Navigation System with the pinch-to-zoom capability and integrated SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link with a 6-year subscription.

How much cargo can it store?

The default cargo space of the 2020 MKZ stands at 15.4 cubic feet. While it is not the maximum offered in the segment, it is still decent. You’ll have no issues with everyday usage. The rear seats are also 60/40 split-folding that increases the cargo-hauling capacity of this American sedan.

VW Arteon, with 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space leads the pack followed closely by the Kia Stinger with 23.3 cubic feet of cargo space. Both these cars benefit from the fastback body styles that give these sedans the utility of a hatchback.

What are the creature comforts on offer?

2020 Lincoln MKZ ships with a lot of bells and whistles that you’d expect from a car in this segment. Some of them are

• 8-way power-adjustable front seats with a heating feature
• Front seats with lumbar support
• Leather seating surfaces
• 4 one-touch power windows
• Cruise Control
• Rear parking sensors
• Rearview Camera
• Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel
• Interior air filtration
• Climate Control

Contrary to the interior, the exterior styling of the 2020 MKZ looks very contemporary. It might be based on the Ford Fusion, but the MKZ has its own persona. With a Jaguar-like front grille that exudes an uncanny resemblance to the brand's flagship, the Continental, Lincoln has done a great job of styling the pale metal sheet on the MKZ and beat it into a delicious looking car.

Sharp LEDS and chrome highlights make for a beautiful looking front fascia. The side profile is sleek, thanks to its ‘fastback’esque roofline. The rear end sports a polarizing look. The beefed-up bumper along with the extended overhang resembles a Prius, only a more curvy one.

The 2020 Lincoln MKZ comes with two versions of the Monochromatic Package that is available with the Reserve trim. It allows you to make a unique statement. The white version features 19-inch fully polished black alloy wheels and unique body-color White Platinum upper grille and other white exterior trim details. The black version comes with the same wheels, an Infinite Black Metallic grille, and other black exterior trim details.

What are the highlights of the exterior shell?

The elegant exterior shell of the 2020 MKZ sports quite a few highlights. Some of them are

• Autolamp automatic on/off headlamps
• Remote Start System
• Power-adjustable/manual-folding, heated side-view mirrors with memory, integrated blind spot mirrors
• LED turn signal indicators
• Hands-free entry
• Rear defogger
• Variable Intermittent Wipers
• 18” alloy wheels

Lincoln bags the MKZ with a series of advanced safety features but the total vehicle cost skyrockets to a hefty number. NHTSA is yet to crash-test the MKZ but the yesteryear’s numbers are pleasing. Since the car has not undergone any major changes the same could be said for 2020’s MKZ.

• Front-seat side airbags
• Driver and front-passenger knee airbags
• SOS Post-Crash Alert System
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether Anchors for Children)
• Individual Tire Pressure Monitoring System (excludes spare, when equipped)
• Intelligent Access with push-button start
• SecuriLock Passive Anti-Theft System
• Side-curtain airbags with roll-fold technology
• MyKey technology to help parents encourage responsible driving

Lincoln MKZ vs VW Arteon

Both of these cars are on a mission to revive the future of their respective makers. Lincoln has done a commendable job with the exterior and the powertrain of the MKZ. However, the dated interiors are a letdown. The Arteon, on the other hand, boasts a very stylish exterior shell. The performance is also better than the American sedan with better driving dynamics. Thus, if you have to pick one among these two, we suggest you ho with the VW Arteon.

Lincoln MKZ vs BMW 3 Series

It is very hard to recommend the MKZ over the 3 Series. The German car has better styling, better fuel economy, premium interiors, and definitely better driving dynamics. You also get the satisfaction of owning a BMW. Thus, the 3 Series is easily the better car than the MKZ.

Lincoln MKZ vs Kia Stinger

Kia stinger reaps the benefits of the fastback body style. It has a very spacious cabin and a huge cargo area. The performance of this South Korean sedan is also better than most of the cars in the segment. The MKZ tired to copy the fastback body style, but could not execute like the Stinger.

We applaud Lincoln’s effort and idea towards manufacturing the MKZ. While they succeeded with the exterior design and performance, they missed out on the interiors. However, there’s nothing that can’t be fixed with a facelift or an upgrade. Thus, if you have decided to buy the MKZ, we suggest you wait for the next model year.