2010 Lincoln MKZ 3.5 FWD 6AT (263 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Lincoln introduced a final refresh for the first generation of the MKZ in 2010 for the 2011 model year, and besides the regular aesthetic updates, it also came with the first hybrid drivetrain in the brand’s history.

The world was still suffering due to the financial crisis. Still, automakers had to move on and push new vehicles on the market. Like many other car manufacturers, Ford didn’t want to sit and wait for better times. Moreover, it didn’t just make small updates to preserve its finances. Instead, it went all-in to have the best offers it could provide. As a result, it launched the Ford Fusion Hybrid in March 2009 for the 2010 model year, and at the same time, it announced that an upscale version would follow. That version was the 2011 Lincoln MKZ that broke cover in September 2010 at the New York International Auto Show as part of the final refresh for the already four-year-old generation.

Lincoln updated the front fascia of the 2011 MKZ by introducing a split-wing look for the main grille, which replaced the previous version inspired by the 1961 Continental. Furthermore, it also updated the headlights, which featured three lamps under the same clear lenses, with corner-mounted turn signals. The wrapped-around plastic bumper was restyled as well and had a broad center air intake in the apron flanked by angular-shaped clusters for the fog lamps.

There weren’t too many things changed on the car’s profile. But still, the automaker introduced new 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels, depending on the grade and options. Furthermore, the keyless entry keypad for accessing the vehicle was standard for the hybrid version. The automaker also added its badge on the front fenders behind the wheel arches. Like the previous versions of the MKZ, the 2011 model year came with a chromed trim on the lower side of the window line. Out back, the broad taillights made the car look wider and flanked the vertical badge of the automaker. At the same time, on the lower side of the bumper, the MKZ had dual exhausts with round chromed tips.

Inside the vehicle, Lincoln applied its well-known upscale treatments to the cabin. The aluminum and real wood trims adorned the dashboard and the door cards. At the same time, the available eight-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system stood proud atop the center stack. Fronting the driver was a clean, rounded visor for the instrument panel, which showed the speedometer in the middle and was flanked by the tachometer on the left dial and the fuel level and the coolant temperature gauges on the right. For the Hybrid version, the 2011 Lincoln MKZ featured a center-mounted speedometer flanked by color screens that showed essential data that helped drivers improve fuel efficiency.

Under the hood, customers could find either a 3.5-liter V6 Duratorq powerplant or a Hybrid drivetrain. While customers knew the former version, the latter was a new addition. It consisted of a 2.5-liter inline-four engine running in the Atkinson cycle and helped by a 109 hp (111 PS) motor. The gasoline-only version was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the electrified one used a CVT, like the one installed in the Ford Fusion.