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New For 2010

The Lincoln MKZ has never been truly competitive in the entry-level luxury car market, but an improved version of the car for the 2010 model year may change that perception.

The MKZ isn't being redesigned for 2010. It's receiving what the auto industry calls a "mid-cycle refresh" -- minor exterior changes, a more significant interior makeover, and some powertrain improvements to make the existing car more attractive.

What the Auto Press Says

The Lincoln MKZ has always been an entry-level luxury car that shares most of its parts with a less-exclusive affordable midsize car, the Ford Fusion. That hurt its reputation in the automotive press. Stacked up against more luxurious cars from Germany and Japan, the MKZ always looked inadequate.

But the entire Ford/Lincoln/Mercury midsize lineup benefits from a significant refresh this year, and suddenly the MKZ's Fusion bones are not as significant a knock against Lincoln's least-expensive car anymore.

The front-wheel-drive MKZ still won't steal many customers from sporty rear-wheel-drive cars like the BMW 3-Series, but it might prove competition for softer rides like the Lexus ES. Based on early reviews, the 2010 MKZ seems to be a comfort-oriented upscale midsize car that has a lot to offer at a reasonable price - but it has a lot of competition at its size and price.

• "If you knock a few grand off the MKZ's MSRP, it stacks up nicely against well-optioned family sedans. Pitted against the heavy hitters in the entry-level luxury segment, though, the MKZ falters. In addition to the above-mentioned models, top-performing sport sedans like the BMW 328i and Infiniti G37 can also be had for about the same price this Lincoln commands." -- Edmunds
• "There's a newfound sense of solidity and refinement to the car that should be apparent to anyone who's ever driven the previous models. To be sure, the MKZ is not yet on par with the Lexus ES350 or the Acura TL, but it is much closer to a luxury-car experience than before." - Automobile Magazine
• "I'll be honest: I'm having a little trouble wrapping my head around the fact that the Lincoln MKZ is within a hair's breadth of being as good as the Lexus ES350." - About.com
• "In the near future, we might see an MKZ with an EcoBoost engine as Ford tries to recover its investment in the technology by using it in as many vehicles as possible." - Motor Trend 
• "The upgraded interior is now more of a contender for best-in-class with its abundance of soft-touch materials and excellent leather seats." -- Autoblog

Key Details

The 2010 Lincoln MKZ is powered by an upgraded 3.5-liter V6 engine that makes 263 horsepower, making it more powerful than last year's model. A new six-speed automatic transmission is tuned to improve fuel economy. The car is available in either front-wheel drive or electronically controlled all-wheel drive. In the future, the MKZ may carry Ford's recieve a new engine from Ford's EcoBoost family -- a turbocharged four-ylinder that is as nearly powerful as its current V6 but more economical, or a twin-turbo V6 that offers V8 power with greater fuel-efficiency.

Outside, the car features a new version of Lincoln's split grille, similar to the one found on the larger MKS. Redesigned headlights and taillights complete the exterior refresh.

Inside, the car gets a more thorough upgrade. The old, vertically-oriented dual-cowl dash is gone, replaced by a more upscale design. Improved cabin materials, including softer leather seating with contrast-color piping, have particularly impressed early reviewers. Ford's SYNC system, which allows drivers to control Bluetooth-enabled devices (like cell phones) through voice commands, is standard equipment. An optional THX stereo upgrade has won praise from early reviewers.