A good car competing in a field of great ones

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Front Comfort

Lincoln nailed front seat comfort in the MKZ. The leather upholstered chairs offer a tall seating position, supportive cushions, and a wide range of adjustment to accommodate various body types. Plus, there’s optional heating and cooling. A tilt and telescopic steering wheel, wide upper door panel sills covered in soft material, and a padded center armrest that slides forward for shorter drivers are standard. The driver and front passenger also get plenty of leg and head room. Additionally, the shape of the steering wheel spokes and center airbag pad make for a terrific hand rest during long-distance cruising. If there’s room for improvement, steering effort could be lighter at low speeds to assist parking.

Rear Comfort

It’s too bad that Lincoln didn’t pay as much attention to detail with regard to rear passenger comfort as it did in front. Leg room is fine for this size sedan, and while the rear cushion could be taller for better thigh support, occupants won’t feel like they’re sitting on the floor. The comfort complaints arise with the details. For instance, lumpy wiring and a seat structure bar impede foot room, the rear head restraints are bumps at the top of the backrest that don’t adjust and probably provide little protection in a rear impact accident, and there’s a plastic cupholder insert in the center armrest right where the passenger’s elbow falls.

Interior Noise

Up to 65 mph, the Lincoln MKZ’s cabin is impressively quiet. Above that speed, wind noise erupts around the mirrors and windshield pillars. The Michelin Energy MXV4 tires on our test car contributed to the sense of solitude, and during an abusive mountain run they remained remarkably silent even as we dove into corners hard enough to scrub the sidewalls. Rough pavement added road and suspension noise to the ambience, but not enough to be bothersome.