So the 2010 Lincoln MKZ wears fancier britches, upgrades the interior and it's got all the mechanical upgrades bestowed upon the 2010 Fusion, but who should buy it?
Why you should buy the 2010 Lincoln MKZ:
You need a car that looks nice and gets you where you're going comfortably. You used to drive a Mustang GT, but now that you've got a kid and a respectable job, you need to step it up. You fancy yourself a Lincoln man, but aren't ready to pay MKS bucks nor do you need the space. You think your buddies paying a premium for German brands are idiots and besides, you don't need the razor sharp performance or the maintenance bills. You own a very nice JCPenny suit.
Why you shouldn't buy this car:
Wrong-way-drive cars make your skin itch, even if they do an excellent job of pretending they aren't. You consider luxury cars to be as much about the emblem on the grille as the car behind it. You aren't swayed by "Buy American" sentiment in the face of stiff competition and a somewhat dear price tag, (in any case, this car hails from Mexico). You already test drove a Fusion and don't see what the big deal is about the Lincoln version. You still think Lincoln is an old man's brand.
Suitability Parameters:
Speed Merchants: No
Fashion Victims: No
Treehuggers: No
Mack Daddies: No
Tuner Crowd: No
Hairdressers: No
Penny Pinchers: No
Euro Trash: No
Working Stiffs: Yes
Technogeeks: Yes
Poseurs: No
Soccer Moms: No
Nascar Dads: Yes
Golfing Grandparents: Yes
Sheiklets: No
Very Serious Businessmen: Yes
Also Consider:
• 2010 Buick LaCrosse (No, really)
• 2009 Audi A4
• 2009 Cadillac CTS
• 2009 Lexus IS350
• 2009 Acura TL
• Staring slack-jawed at the sticker price
Vitals:
• Manufacturer: Lincoln
• Model: MKZ
• Model year: 2010
• Base Price: $34,115
• Price as Tested: $38,444
• Engine type: 3.5L Duratec V6 engine
• Horsepower: 263 @ 6250 RPM
• Torque: 249 @ 4,500 rpm
• Transmission: 6-speed automatic w/sequential shift mode
• Curb Weight: 3598 lbs (FWD) / 3796 lbs (AWD)
• LxWxH: 189.8" x 72.2" x 56.9"
• Wheelbase: 107.4"
• Tires: P225/50VR17
• 0 - 60 mph: V6: 7.1 seconds (Manufaturer quoted)
• Top Speed: NA
• EPA Fuel economy city/highway (MPG, Estimated): 17/24 (AWD V6), 18/27 (FWD)
• Jalopnik Fuel Economy: 25 MPG (city/highway mix 60/40%)
• NHTSA crash test ratings: Front: five stars; Side: Five Stars; Rollover: N/A
Also see:
• 2010 Lincoln MKZ, Part One
• 2010 Lincoln MKZ, Part Two