2014 Lincoln MKZ: Almost there

Will this mid-size saloon live up to Ford’s high hopes of re-establishing Lincoln as a notable premium badge?

True to its tradition of badge engineering, the 2014 MKZ shares its basic architecture with the Ford Fusion, but this has been deftly disguised by the significantly revised sheetmetal, which lends the MKZ a decidedly upmarket look. Up front, the signature split-wing grille has been re-imagined, now sporting a sleeker look than the oversized one seen in the MKT.

There’s nothing extraordinary about the front, but the side profile and the rear impress with sleek and elegant design embellished with tastefully arranged LED lighting. The single, crisp crease that runs the length of the car adds character to the MKZ, while the Charger-esque rear is eye-catching, especially at night with all those LEDs lit up. A quick walk around is all it takes to see that Lincoln has made huge advancements in design and styling.

Add to this the fact that you have to dive deep into a host of menus to get to radio and climate controls, making the most of whatever technology Lincoln’s packed in becomes a chore. Also, despite the MKZ’s generous proportions on the outside, rear passenger space is below average, especially when compared to the Lexus ES 350. The uprated, 300bhp 3.7-litre V6 returns super smooth performance combined with a crisp-shifting six-speed automatic transmission and feels as refined as any other engine in its class. However, if you’re expecting a plush ride like in the olden-day Lincolns, you’ll be in for disappointment, as the ride is anything but comfortable or luxurious.

So is the MKZ the one model that will reinvent the brand? It could well have been, if Lincoln hadn’t missed the opportunity. While rival Cadillac has taken giant strides in reinventing its brand image, Lincoln seems to have lost its way somewhere down the line. The MKZ looks great, but still doesn’t have the charm of a Cadillac, its cabin is not as well-appointed or spacious as that of the Lexus ES, and its handling characteristics are much inferior to that of the ATS, leaving a bit too much for the smooth 3.7-litre V6 to redeem itself.