Entered CNET Catalog: 10/11/2006
SKU: 100796754
Manufacturer: Lincoln
Product summary
The good: The THX-certified audio system in the 2007 Lincoln MKZ is the best car stereo going. If you want to do more than just listen to music, the navigation system handles multiple destinations very well, while the all-wheel drive keeps the car on track.
The bad: Throttle response is disturbingly laggy, making the car unsuitable for fast cornering. Notable omissions are a manual gear selection mode for the six-speed automatic and a Bluetooth hands-free option.
The bottom line: We found quite a bit to like about the 2007 Lincoln MKZ, and only a few real problems. But the stereo is really what this car is all about. You will enjoy driving anywhere in it as long as you have some good CDs.
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 06/06/2007
Photo gallery:
2007 Lincoln MKZ
The design of the 2007 Lincoln MKZ incorporates a subtle boldness we appreciate from an American carmaker. Too often, a company produces homogenous products designed to offend no one, which end up appealing to no one either, especially when that company is drowning in red ink. But the Lincoln MKZ drops a retro grille among a thoroughly modern-looking front end, a look that some might find cacophonous, but we like.
Lincoln throws in a few other odd features that end up being high points in what otherwise might be a very mundane sedan. First, it has the best factory stereo of any car on the road. Second, all-wheel drive gives it surprisingly good handling. Oh, its engine might not have the throttle response we would like, and Lincoln hasn't entered the world of Bluetooth hands-free calling yet. But this car makes itself interesting.
If you've never heard of the MKZ, that's because it used to be called the Zephyr. Still confused? The Zephyr was launched as a new sedan for the 2006 model year, with its platform mates the Ford Fusion and the Mercury Milan. (And if you're thinking that the Lincoln Zephyr was originally launched in 1936, kudos to you for your knowledge of automotive history.)
Test the tech: Is it live, or is it THX?
As we considered the audio quality from the MKZ's THX-certified stereo, we thought of the old advertising slogan, "Is it live, or is it Memorex?" We decided to rephrase that slogan as "Is it live, or is it THX?" In other words, we wanted to see if the THX sound system could break a wineglass. As we mentioned above, this stereo is the best factory system on the road. It has 14 speakers powered by a 600-watt, 12-channel amplifier. The system uses digital signal processing (DSP) to balance the sound through all of the speakers.
The experiment is pretty simple--we got a wineglass and determined its resonant frequency by tapping it and recording the sound. We used Audacity, an audio-editing program, to analyze the frequency and reproduce it as a tone. We burned the tone onto a CD and put it in the car stereo. For backup, we also got a tone generator and ran it into the car's auxiliary audio jack.
We were sure this audio system had the power to destroy all sorts of wineglasses, so we called up Laurie Fincham, chief science officer at THX, to find out what went wrong. He explained that the DSP in this system is programmed to fade back anomalous sounds, like our steady tone, so as not to damage the speakers or the eardrums of the car's occupants. The stereo could easily play music well past the 120 decibels needed to shatter a glass, but it tamps down odd noises like we were using.
In failing to break our wineglass, the system actually proved its excellent engineering and refinement. And we were quite happy to stop playing annoying tones through the system and put in some actual music.
In the cabin
With wood accents, leather seats, and faux brushed-aluminum panels, the Lincoln MKZ strives for a sense of luxury that it mostly achieves. The interior holds the appearance of luxury, but it doesn't feel quite as good as the BMW 328xi, for example. We like the array of buttons on the steering wheel, which not only control audio and cruise, but also temperature and fan speed. Likewise, cooled and heated seats are a very nice addition.
Instruments come through with wonderful clarity. We listened to a CD by the Black Keys and were considerably impressed by the way the Hendrix-like guitar riffs came through. The system keeps the brightness tamed with the same technology that kept it from shattering a wineglass. In fact, we enjoyed the music so much that whenever we traveled under route guidance we found ourselves wishing the audible turn instructions would shut up so we could go back to listening to the music.
Although the speakers and amps portion of the sound system is incredible, some aspects of the stereo head unit let it down. The head unit is impressive in its array of sound sources, using an in-dash six-disc changer to play MP3 and regular CDs. It's also equipped for satellite radio and has an auxiliary jack for an MP3 player. But we would like to see better navigation options for MP3 CDs, as it only lets you go from folder to folder, without letting you seek through artists or albums. Also, a hard drive for music storage would be a nice addition, considering the sound system. Options to adjust the audio included the standard bass, treble, mid, balance, and fader, along with settings to focus the sound on the driver, the front seats, or the entire car.
But the feature that really stands out for us is the ability to set complex routes. Each time you enter an address, you can make it a waypoint or the final destination. It lets you enter addresses, choose points of interest, pick freeway on- or off-ramps, and choose spots on its map. And once you've entered a list of places you need to go, you can touch the onscreen optimize button, which will sort your destinations along the most efficient route.
There is no hands-free cell phone option in the MKZ yet. You will have to wait until Ford integrates the Sync system from Microsoft in the 2008 model year.
Under the hood
The Lincoln MKZ isn't as sedate as its luxury interior might suggest. Its 3.5-liter V-6 Duratec engine produces 263 horsepower, plenty to make this relatively small sedan go fast. And its 249lb-ft of torque doesn't hurt, either. Unfortunately, initial throttle response is very laggy--the car hesitates for a moment or two before deciding to get up and go.
This engine is mated to a six-speed automatic, a nice, modern transmission that shifts smoothly. The sixth gear is great for the freeway--at times we noticed the tachometer holding steady at 1,500rpm at speeds of around 65mph. And for the first time in an automatic, we actually wanted a manual gear selection mode. The MKZ only has Drive and Low for gear-range choices.
However, the poor throttle response negates this car's potential for sport driving. If you try to lay on the power going through a turn, you'll be halfway through before the power is running to the wheels.
Under the EPA's new fuel economy testing, the Lincoln MKZ with all-wheel drive gets 16mpg in the city and 24mpg on the highway. During our test period, we came in at 19.4mpg overall, a reasonable number for a car with this kind of power. On emissions, the MKZ isn't bad, earning a ULEV II rating from the California Air Resources Board.
In sum
Our 2007 all-wheel-drive Lincoln MKZ had a base price of $31,050. Its options included heated and cooled seats ($495), high-intensity discharge headlights ($495), Sirius satellite radio ($195), and the navigation and THX audio package ($2,495). The total, with a $715 destination charge, comes out to $35,445. You can also get the regular front-wheel-drive MKZ for a base price of $29,305, and the THX audio system can be had separately from the navigation system for $995.
The full price of our MKZ comes close to the base price of a BMW 328xi, another all-wheel-drive sedan with generally better performance. Among cars that only have two wheels driven, the Nissan Maxima can be had with more tech for about the same money. If you want to tone down the luxury and spend a lot less, the Saturn Aura is a good choice. But none of those cars, or any other for that matter, can match the quality of the 2007 Lincoln MKZ's audio system.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1out of 1 user reviews
2007 LINCOLN MKZ
Pros: Exterior is breathtaking, interior well made, power is unbelievable
Cons: None to mention
Exterior
Colours - Dark Blue Pearl Clearcoat Metallic/Merlot clearcoat metallic/Vivid red clearcoat metallic/Alloy clearcoat metallic/Silver birch clearcoat metallic/Black clearcoat/Dune pearl clearcoat metallic/Light sage clearcoat metallic/Amethyst clearcoat metallic/Oxford white metallic/ are the only factory colours to choose from.
The first thing that catches your eye is the prominent chromed waterfall grille and sleek front headlamp cluster. As you view the Lincoln MKZ profile, the strong horizontal lines become obvious. Bright trim at the base of the windows combined with chromed sideview mirror caps accentuate the look. Visually arresting Light-Emitting Diode (LED) taillamps and 17" machined-aluminum wheels add a touch of flair.
High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Headlamps are used to brighten things up, for more illumination than the standard halogen headlamps.
Power, heated chromed sideview mirrors with security approach lamps have an auto-dimming feature on the driver’s side, and memory settings that will recall programmed positions for two different drivers.
There is plenty of space also. Spacious and convenient. Whether it’s a week’s worth of luggage or groceries for a small army, the trunk is very accommodating. In fact, with 15.8 cu. ft. of luggage capacity, it’s among the largest in its class. There are even grocery bag hooks to help prevent bag contents from spilling and being scattered around the trunk.
The wheels for the 2007 Lincoln MKZ are 2 to choose from.
A. Standard 17-inch eight-spoke machined-aluminum and painted
B. Available 17-inch eight-spoke chrome-aluminum
The exterior of the MKZ sure does bring a lot, and it will surely have people staring at it, and crowding it, but not only is the exterior beautiful, but s is the interior.
Interior
Colours - Dark Charcoal Leather-Trimmed Seats/Medium Light Stone Leather-Trimmed Seats/Sand Leather-Trimmed Seats are the factory interior colours to choose from.
MKZ has one of the most beautiful cabins in its class, miles ahead of Cadillac and Mercedes.
The cabin of the Lincoln MKZ combines polished wood (your choice of figured maple or ebony) and satin-nickel and chrome finishes on all buttons, knobs and controls. The instrument panel sports a contemporary look and is easy to view both day and night. As an added touch, there is also an attractive analog clock.
"Lincoln MKZ was voted "Best Luxury Car Interior" by both Industry and Automotive Journalist voters…the only overall category winner." — Ward’s 2006 Auto Interiors Show
The Lincoln MKZ provides ample room for driver and passengers, including more than three feet of rear-passenger legroom. The spacious feel was achieved by stretching the architecture, keeping drivers and passengers top of mind during the design process.
2007 Lincoln MKZ — one of the roomiest interiors in its class.
When you opt for the available THX® II Certified Premium Sound System, you’ll be enjoying one of the most advanced car audio systems on the road today. This system may be combined with the available Navigation System, which provides GPS technology with DVD mapping, as well as turn-by-turn voice guidance.
The system includes:
Fourteen speakers, including two subwoofers
Two amplifiers, and one center front/rear channel
Six-disc, in-dash CD changer with MP3 capability
Radio Data System (RDS) technology that can display the station name and format when receiving signals from a radio station also equipped with RDS
Premium AM/FM Sound System
The standard sound system will bring out the best in your music. It includes:
Six-disc, in-dash CD changer with MP3 capability
Subwoofer
Speed-compensated volume control to help overcome road noise
Six speakers
The most advanced Lincoln Navigation System ever. The available DVD-based Navigation System combines DVD mapping with Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, providing turn-by-turn voice guidance with high-quality graphics and touch-screen simplicity.
It even gives options such as the shortest route or shortest drive time. You can even customize the display and prompt options for a more convenient experience.
The seats of the MKZ, are very comforting, and give it a luxurious tone. It makes you feel like you are still at home.
Seating features include:
Leather-trimmed driver’s seat with 10-way power adjustment, including lumbar
Standard memory function that remembers the way you and a second driver prefer your settings
60/40 spring-assisted, split-fold rear seat featuring the convenience of a folding armrest with two cupholders
The 2007 Lincoln MKZ is the first in its class** with standard 10-way power front-passenger seat with two-driver memory settings.
The heated, and cooled seats are a great feature.Standard heated front seats provide three settings. For relief from the summer’s heat, select the available cooled front-seat system. 2007 Lincoln MKZ is the only car in its class to offer available climate controlled (heated and cooled) front seats.
Dual-zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control
This standard feature lets you and your front passenger set the cabin temperature to individual preferences. The system will automatically maintain the temperature for each side. And thanks to extensive use of "soft-duct" technology, fan noise is reduced.
If you are the breezy person, who is always looking for some air while driving in the hot summer, then feel the Breeze in Your Hair
Let the fresh air in. The available power moonroof can tilt to a vent position or open wide. If you like, you can leave the glass closed to enjoy the sunlight without a breeze. Or you can slide the shade forward to cover the glass. As an added benefit, you can open the moonroof (and front windows) with the integrated key fob global open/close feature.
Performance
The performance of a vehicle is not the least of your worries, it should be the first, the Lincoln MKZ has no worries, it has great performance, and will bring out the racer in you.
The all-new Duratec 35 V-6 engine delivers smooth power and a confident, comfortable ride.
Strong, lightweight die-cast aluminum block
Four-valve, direct-acting valve train for effortless performance
Dual-plenum intake manifold and variable cam timing to help ensure a smooth idle and broad torque curve
Close-coupled catalysts to reduce emissions
263 hp and 249 lb.-ft. of torque
The Lincoln MKZ is the first vehicle in its class to boast a six-speed automatic transmission. It uses electronic controls to harness the power of the new V-6 engine, providing seamless shifts and smooth power.
The All Wheel Drive advanced system gives you confidence in any weather by anticipating situations and actively transferring torque to the wheel or wheels with the best traction. It seamlessly responds to conditions, delivering torque to all four wheels even before wheel slippage occurs. Intelligent AWD helps keep you on track in all weather, shifting power between the front and rear wheels — wherever it’s needed most — so you can drive with confidence.
While with it's performance, the Lincoln MKZ has a quiet feeling. You’ll love what you don’t hear. From bumper to bumper, engineers came up with a host of features to make the ride in the Lincoln MKZ quiet and smooth. Features such as thick front-door glass, aerodynamic sideview mirrors, special performance tires, an underbody shield, and many more, help preserve the ride quality in the Lincoln MKZ.
SUSPENSION
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension
This system allows each wheel to react independently to road bumps and surface imperfections, helping preserve ride quality.
Double-Wishbone Design
The double-wishbone design is tuned to provide sporty performance. Understeer is reduced, and better contact with the road is increased for more consistent handling.
Front and Rear Anti-Sway Bars
This feature helps reduce body roll, even through cornering maneuvers at higher speeds.
The Lincoln MKZ, with an all-new V-6 engine featuring a lightweight die-cast aluminum block, provides efficient power:
FWD 19 city/27 highway mpg.
AWD 18 city/26 highway mpg.
SAFETY & SECURITY
If you are always worrying about safety than you'll know the MKZ is a safe vehicle to drive. You can travel with confidence knowing that the 2007 Lincoln MKZ has received the government’s highest five-star side crash-test rating.
The structure design
The Lincoln MKZ body structure was designed to optimize energy management:
Crush rails that deform progressively to help absorb impact
Rocker panels that provide exceptional deformation ability
High-grade steel (nearly ¼-inch thick) in the upper section, which helps protect occupants, while lower-tensile-strength steel on the bottom helps absorb and manage the force of certain side impacts.
Protection for you. Protection for your front passenger. The Personal Safety System® coordinates dual-stage front airbag** deployment levels and safety belt pretensioners in certain frontal collisions. This standard feature provides enhanced protection for both people in the front row. Remember to always wear your seatbelt.
Just one more way the Lincoln MKZ helps you feel secure. Standard Traction Control helps maintain traction on slippery or loose road surfaces by using engine inputs to reduce wheelspin. Traction Control sensors will detect slippage, and will automatically respond to help you maintain steering control.
Available intelligent all-wheel drive builds on this system, actively and seamlessly distributing torque between the front and rear wheels in the optimum combination to give you confidence in any driving conditions.
The ABS is a charm too!
The anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps you by electronically pumping the brakes for greater steering control while stopping under most driving conditions.
Some security features for the car are...
SecuriLock® Passive Anti-Theft System
This system is designed to help prevent the engine from being started unless a coded key, programmed to your vehicle, is used. SecuriLock’s standard perimeter alarm system automatically arms after the key is removed from the ignition and sounds the alarm if an unauthorized attempt is made to enter the vehicle.
Remote Keyless Entry System
This feature lets you unlock the doors and trunk lid from up to 33 feet away. There is also a panic alarm on the key fob that flashes the headlamps and sounds the horn.
Keyless Entry Keypad
The user-coded Keyless Entry Keypad on the driver’s door lets you unlock the doors and the trunk lid, and activate/deactivate the autolock system.
Overall
The horsepower, exterior, interior, and elegance of this luxurious vehicle make this a top competitor in the luxury sedan line. It is one of the greatest cars in it's class, and the first model for 2007. It has a different style from the Zephyr (previous version), and has even more toys inside. Truly a great vehicle made by Lincoln.
