2019 Lincoln MKZ: A Trim Comparison

The Lincoln MKZ is a luxury cousin of the Ford Fusion. It’s got a bit more oomph and nicer trappings. But how luxurious do you want to go, exactly? The high-end 2019 MKZ Reserve II offers a lot, but honestly, this car comes with so many standard features that you might not want a high-end version.

There’s one downside to this car, though, and it’s the reason you might shell out a little more. The thing that really sets the MKZ apart from the Fusion is a 3.0L turbocharged V-6 that gets 400hp at a reasonable rpm and 400 lb-ft of torque. It’s strong enough that on the FWD MKZs, Lincoln electronically caps its power at 350hp. The unfortunate part is that this engine is optional, and opting for it can raise the list price a pretty great deal.

Standard

The first up is the 2019 Lincoln MKZ Standard. This is the base model MKZ, and it can be yours for as little as $357,135. That gets you a 2.0L, 245-hp turbocharged I-4 engine. You may recognize this engine as an optional upgrade for the Ford Fusion. It gets an estimated mileage of 20 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. In addition, you get some nice little amenities. Front-wheel-drive is the standard offering. All-wheel-drive is available for $2,000 more.

The interior comes with 10-way heated power front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. You get SYNC 3, the premiere version of Ford’s computer getup that includes an app suite and voice controls. You get an 11-speaker sound system, remote keyless entry, and a capless fuel filler.

Hybrid

The MKZ Standard trim is also available as a hybrid model that gets 42 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway. It’s the exact same price as the non-hybrid version and comes with all the same standard features. Since the price points are the same, why not opt for the hybrid version of whatever trim you are considering? It just seems like a no-brainer to us. The only thing that you’ll miss out on is an AWD powertrain. But with the money that you’ll save on fuel, you be more thankful for the extra green in your pocket.

Reserve I

The 2019 Lincoln MKZ Reserve I bumps the MSRP up to $38,995, and it’s definitely got a few things to show for the extra cash. The seats are trimmed with leather, with the option to shell out for heated seats in the rear. The interior trim on the door, steering wheel, and instrument panel are made of wood. Rain-sensing windshield wipers are standard on this trim, as is adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go. All-wheel-drive is available again for an extra $2,000. Aluminum pedal covers are an available option specific only to this trim. Not even the upper-tier Reserve II carries them.

Hybrid Reserve I

As with the other trim levels, the MKZ Reserve I trim has an available hybrid model. It’s the same price as the non-hybrid option and comes with all the same standard features. Since it’s the same price, you won’t be waiting a handful of years to make up the typical “premium” cost often associated with other manufacturer’s hybrid models. You’ll be saving money on gas starting day one.

Reserve II

At $44,995, the 2019 Lincoln MKZ Reserve II offers all available options, a full 24 more than the base Standard trim. By default, it comes with 19-inch wheels rather than the 18-inch wheels of lesser trims.  If you want a sportier ride, the Reserve has optional dynamic torque vectoring and sport-tuned suspension options (non-hybrid model only). The leather seats are perforated now, and they’re cooled as well as heated in the front.

But perhaps the most important change? This is where the 3.0L Twin-Turbocharged V6 engine becomes available. Granted, it’s going to cost you a little more—an extra $2,750 on the FWD model and extra $3,750 for the AWD model. And it will decrease your mileage to 18 city/27 highway. But the general consensus among reviewers is that this engine is what makes getting an MKZ worth the price over just buying an upper-trim Ford Fusion.

Hybrid Reserve II

Again, a hybrid version of the MKZ Reserve II is offered at the same price with the same standard array of features. In our opinion, that makes opting for the hybrid model the preferred choice.

(Image via Facebook.)