Initial Quality – Though the Lincoln MKZ received a significant update for 2010, it is still quite similar to the 2009 model. In the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Initial Quality Study (IQS), which measures owner satisfaction with vehicle quality after 90 days of ownership, the 2009 Lincoln MKZ received 2 out of 5 Power Circle Ratings when compared to other vehicles in its class.

Compare ratings

Performance and Design – Though the Lincoln MKZ received a significant update for 2010, it is still quite similar to the 2009 model. In the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout Study (APEAL), which measures owner satisfaction with performance and design attributes of a vehicle, the 2009 Lincoln MKZ received 2 out of 5 Power Circle Ratings when compared to other vehicles in its class.

Compare ratings

Vehicle Dependability – Though the Lincoln MKZ received a significant update for 2010, it is still quite similar to the 2006 model, which was called the Lincoln Zephyr. In the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), which measures owner satisfaction with a vehicle’s reliability after three years of ownership, the 2006 Lincoln Zephyr was the top-ranked vehicle in its class, receiving 5 out of 5 Power Circle Ratings.

Compare ratings

Fuel Economy – The 2010 Lincoln MKZ is equipped with a 3.5-liter V-6 driving the front or all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. According to the EPA, the MKZ is rated to return 18 mpg city and 27 mpg highway with front-wheel drive and 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway with all-wheel drive, operating on regular unleaded fuel. Our review vehicle, a Lincoln MKZ Sport with AWD, averaged 20.9 mpg in mixed driving with a highway emphasis. Combined with the MKZ AWD’s standard 16.5-gallon fuel tank, this actual fuel economy figure results in an approximate 345-mile range between fill-ups of regular unleaded.

Safety – According to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2010 Lincoln MKZ receives 5-star crash-test ratings for the driver and front passenger in a frontal impact, a 5-star crash-test rating for front seat occupants in the side-impact test, and a 4-star crash-test rating for rear seat occupants in the side-impact test. With front-wheel drive, the 2010 MKZ receives a 4-star rollover rating and with all-wheel drive, it receives a 5-star rollover rating.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) calls the 2010 Lincoln MKZ a “Top Safety Pick,” because it received a “Good” rating in the frontal offset crash test, a “Good” rating in the side impact crash test, and a “Good” rating for rear impact protection.

Environment – According to the EPA, the 2010 Lincoln MKZ consumes 16.3 barrels of petroleum annually with front-wheel drive and 18 barrels of petroleum annually with all-wheel drive. Carbon footprint ratings are 8.7 and 9.6 tons of air pollution per year, respectively. The MKZ’s EPA air pollution scores were not published at the time this review was written.

Note: This review was published on October 19, 2009. It may not reflect data that has become available for this vehicle since that date.