However, the most significant update is to the interior. While the previous car's appointments were reasonably competitive, Lincoln has made a concerted effort boost the quality of materials used and improve the overall look of the cabin.
Genuine wood or aluminum is used depending on the trim package, and soft-touch materials make up the entire dash. Cabin noise has been reduced thanks to upgraded sound absorbent material in nearly everything surrounding the cockpit – the windshield, door seals, fenders, pillars, the floor and even the headliner. The instrument panel has been redesigned to have a more three-dimensional, modern look and an optional eight-inch touch-screen display is conveniently positioned higher up on the dash. The bucket seats are now wrapped in premium Bridge of Weir leather and have just the right amount of bolstering. We could easily spend hours inside the MKZ and never feel uncomfortable.
We were happy with the addition of SelectShift, which is now standard on the six-speed automatic. This author normally doesn't care for any sort of manu-matic option, but the MKZ has one of the best versions he has had the pleasure of using. It engages quickly by simply slotting the shifter to the right, and gearchanges are delivered with minimal lag. We actually used SelectShift a few times on some twisty roads to maintain a gear and were pleasantly surprised at how well the transmission responded.
The upgraded interior is now more of a contender for best-in-class with its abundance of soft-touch materials and excellent leather seats, and the powertrain offers on-par performance while delivering 18/27 mpg in front-wheel drive form. We wouldn't yet consider the 2010 MKZ a standout among the sea of entry-level luxury sedans, but it will undoubtedly cause potential customers to take a second look, particularly with a price-tag at $34,965 for the front-wheel drive model or $36,855 for the all-wheel drive variant.
