Lincoln MKZ : It Captures Your Eye

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The 3.5L V-6 engine of the MKZ has 263 hp and 249 lb.-ft. of torque. This is figured on 87 octane fuel, which lifts your spirit all the more. To maximize the performance of the V-6, a wide-ratio- 6-speed automatic transmission keeps gear changing tight. The electronic controls in the engine and transmission deliver a smooth effortless shift.

Sink into the heated or cooled cabin depending on outside weather challenges, smell and feel the leather-trimmed driver seat with its 10-way power adjustments, and visualize the luxury. Maple or Ebony woods enhance the MKZ instrument panel, door trim, and leather-wrapped steering wheel. Just take away all the fancy words and you will still know that it feels good, drives “sweet,” and makes you personally proud of your selection. The cabin is airy, comfortable, decked in luxury with chrome or satin-nickel accents on all buttons, knobs and controls, and at night, white LED lighting illuminates the displays and control switches for a backlit glow.

The MKZ has a digital media player that is connected in one of two ways: to the USB port of the Lincoln SYNC media system, where you can access songs by simply saying the name of the artist you want to hear; or to the audio input jack in the center console.

Cloudy rainy weather this week in Texas didn’t deter me from making social rounds in the MKZ. I let SYNC bring me the Righteous Brothers and “Loving Feelings,” while songs like “Bobby Magee,” and “Rainy Night in Georgia” added to my already good spirits. As traffic backed up on the interstate, Tony Bennett told me about San Francisco, and songs by the Monkeys brought back those fond memories of my youth. Sitting in my driveway, the last song I heard that day was “Blue Velvet” sung by Bobby Vinton.

I thought how much I had changed and the world with it. I counted my blessings and all the other riches I enjoy.

Forgive me for waxing at length on a personal note. But it was the MKZ’s fault. It relaxed me, made me bold, and proud to be the occupant of such a fine car.

The MKZ gets 18 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. Personally, I found I got a little better on the highway than in the city.

The base price is $32,000, but the MKZ that I drove had a power moon roof, 17-inch chrome wheels, and a dozen or so modern features, which added another $5000 to the price. The base price included a navigation system, which surprised me.

Durhl Caussey writes a car column read around the world. He may be reached at this paper or dcaussey@sbcglobal.net .