Article Comments- 2007 Lincoln MKZ Full Test

26 messages, Last post on Aug 22, 2007 at 10:40 AM

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What is this discussion about? Lincoln MKZ, Sedan

Article comments for Full Test: 2007 Lincoln MKZ - While the 2007 Lincoln MKZ is comfortable and drives well, its lower standard of overall refinement keeps it a step behind the luxury leaders. (more)

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#2 of 26 Insideline Review by cowbell Aug 17, 2007 (5:48 am)
Insideline just posted a review of the MKZ, and I'm wondering if they drove the same car I did, or more specifically, listened to the same stereo I did? I thought the sound system alone made this car worth considering, and I'm not alone. PC Magazine - "Best Audio: Lincoln MKZ" "it has a flawless THX-certified audio system that plays music loud and lacks some of the quirks that color (or shape) music in other high-end systems" CNet - ‘Best Audio (Stereo) System’ - "The THX-certified audio system in the 2007 Lincoln MKZ is the best car stereo going." I have to wonder if the sound system had been left in some weird settings when Insideline got the car and they didn't realize it. Another quibble I had with the review was comparing the MKZ interior to the Fusion interior. To my eye they look nothing alike: At least no more so than the ES350 and the Camry: And certainly less similar than the Acura TL and the Accord. Look especially at the shape of the hood to the insurment cluster: Also, I have to quibble with the quality of the interior of the MKZ compared to the TL and ES350. I have test drove all these cars in the past month and I specifically felt for the softness of materials where I would regularaly touch the car. While the door arm rest was better on the TL and ES350, the plastic at the top of the door near the base of the window was harder on the ES350 and much harder on the Acura. And while the MKZ does have some unsightly shiny plastic around the vents, I don't think that should also be forgiven on the ES35. Look at the shiney plastic around the start button and strip flanking the radio controls. Sorry to rant like this, but sometimes it seems like the MKZ gets picked on for things that the Acura and Lexus are also guilty of, but get free passes for. Replies to this message: bigt (Aug 17, 2007 6:23 am) gregg_vw (Aug 17, 2007 7:15 am) bigt (Aug 17, 2007 7:35 am) cowbell (Aug 17, 2007 9:02 am) and 3 more... savetheland (Aug 17, 2007 5:00 pm)
#3 of 26 Re: Insideline Review [cowbell] by bigt Aug 17, 2007 (6:23 am)
Replying to: cowbell (Aug 17, 2007 5:48 am) I also wonder which foreign car lobbyist is funding Insideline. Their first parameter is and continues to be how many horses the engine has. Hey at least they used my car's color in the ad. As for the THX stereo that guy needs a hearing test. This has to be the best sound I have ever heard from a car. I have also compared the navigation system with several of my friends and they also feel it is the best. One feature that stands out is the double ding when you actually should turn versus just stating that you need to turn in 2 tenths of a mile. Try to visualize this while in a Washington DC traffic circle with 8 exit points. Well at least they gave the ride and passenger comfort high marks. Hmm I always thought feeling comfortable in your car was important! The Acura and Lexus are too small for me! Replies to this message: gregg_vw (Aug 17, 2007 7:15 am) bigt (Aug 17, 2007 7:35 am) cowbell (Aug 17, 2007 9:02 am) cg205 (Aug 17, 2007 9:45 am) gregg_vw (Aug 17, 2007 10:46 am) and 1 more...
#4 of 26 Re: Insideline Review [bigt] by gregg_vw Aug 17, 2007 (7:15 am)
Replying to: bigt (Aug 17, 2007 6:23 am) It seems the bulk of reviews like the MKZ stereo system. One questionable one has got to be expected, as not everyone hears the same things. Interiors of course are also a matter of taste. I can certainly see the cimilarities among the car interiors shown above. To my eye, it is easy to see the common basis of the Fusion and MKZ, even with the Lincoln froo-froo layered on. I don't care much for the the way Lincoln did the Lincoln look in the MKZ, and wish they could have shaped the panel a bit more like the Aviator's or even the Navi. BTW, those interiors would look even more alike if the Fusion had the automatic and premium trim. Plus they have nearly the same steering wheel design. Though all the examples have similarities, to my eye, the Camry and ES350 differentiate a hair more than the others. Both Camry and Lexus look like premium efforts, and I like the Lexus best of all of them. The Lincoln would look way better with fewer cut lines and gaps. Replies to this message: bigt (Aug 17, 2007 7:35 am) cowbell (Aug 17, 2007 9:02 am) cg205 (Aug 17, 2007 9:45 am) gregg_vw (Aug 17, 2007 10:46 am) cowbell (Aug 17, 2007 4:35 pm)
#5 of 26 Re: Insideline Review [gregg_vw] by bigt Aug 17, 2007 (7:35 am)
Replying to: gregg_vw (Aug 17, 2007 7:15 am) I have been meaning to ask this for some time. Does anyone know if auto executives read any of this stuff here or on other review sites? Also is there any site where they give feedback such as saying we are aware of this issue and plan on fixing it etc? I have always wondered where I could find real info on future plans and directions or is the industry so secret they are scare to say anything?
#6 of 26 Re: Insideline Review [gregg_vw] by cowbell Aug 17, 2007 (9:02 am)
Replying to: gregg_vw (Aug 17, 2007 7:15 am) I guess I thought the Lincoln showed more difference from the Ford than the other because of the structural differences. The dash: If you look at the Lexus/Toyota or Honda/Acura, the interiors occupy the exact same space and follow the same lines. Both dashes follow the same curves, and occupy the same space in the car. Where as the Lincoln's dash and center console are not even remotely the same shape as the fusion. The Lincoln dash is much higher with a sharp transition from horizontal to vertical, while the Fords' is much lower with a continuous swooping curve. The Center Console: In both the Lexus/Toyota and Honda/Acura, the center consoles are continuous swoops that flow from the dash through the control console and down to the median compartment. Both the high end and the standard model follow this pattern. While the Ford and Lincoln contrast by the Lincolns center Console area smoothly transition into the gear selector area where as the Ford's Center Console abruptly stops at an over hang, allowing the gear selector area to be a distinct section. Here are the photos of the automatic Fusion for a more direct comparison: Overall, it is, like you say, a matter of taste. The Lexus and Acura have both very organic shapes, with nary a straight line to be seen. And a complete contrast to the Lexus and Acura, and almost every other car interior out there, the Lincoln has what looks to me like an Art Deco interior, full of straight lines and circles. If nothing else, the MKZ has one the most distinctive interiors today. Honestly, I think the ES350 interior looks more like the TL interior than the MKZ looks like the Fusion. Replies to this message: cg205 (Aug 17, 2007 9:45 am) gregg_vw (Aug 17, 2007 10:46 am) cowbell (Aug 17, 2007 4:35 pm)
#7 of 26 Re: Insideline Review [cowbell] by cg205 Aug 17, 2007 (9:45 am)
Replying to: cowbell (Aug 17, 2007 9:02 am) I have to agree with you on this, of course I may be biased since I have the identical interior in my Z as in the photos. I sat in and drove several Fusions and Milans before my purchase, and had no problem identifying the 'entry luxury' vehicle. I've been in and out of the car business since 1961, and owned probably close to a hundred cars since then. I've never been more satisfied with a vehicle purchase, having had none be more trouble free as this one (I just turned 11,000 miles). Mine is totally loaded including AWD, which really clenched the deal for me. I may only really need AWD a few days a year, but when I need it, I truly NEED it. The only thing I had hoped for in this car and didn't get, was a little better mpg in the city cycle. Highway mpg is great, but I do good to average 20 mpg around my area, and I have gotten that good or better with a number of larger and/or more powerful vehicles. And I can't overstate the peace of mind I have knowing that wherever I am, if I should need emergency repairs, they are as near as the closest FoMoCo dealer, regardless of what they sell. This can't be said of any of this car's nearest competitors......example....you can't take your Caddy to a Chevy dealer for warranty work.
#8 of 26 Re: Insideline Review [cowbell] by gregg_vw Aug 17, 2007 (10:46 am)
Replying to: cowbell (Aug 17, 2007 9:02 am) For me, I see no structural differences. Placement of functional items does not vary much. Each eye is different of course, but the mount points all look the same in both photos. The difference you point out is certainly there, but the biggest difference appears to be a fairly superficial "blocky-shaped" bulking up added to the molding of plastic on the top line of the dash. The steering wheels, center stacks and center stack control, plus the shape and styling of the consoles are distinctive between the Camry and Lexus. To me, the Camry interior looks at least as much like the Acura TL interior as it does the Lexus interior. The Camry and Accord interiors also seem reminiscent of one another. These are all similarly-sized sedans contemporary of one another using current styling cliches. The Lexus strikes me as the most tasteful of the lot. The Lincoln with a bit more effort or finesse could definitely have looked the best and most distinctive to most eyes. The failure in competely achieving that aim has to do with drawing the upper dash line uniformly too high, with little variation in height at the top of the center stack. It looks to me (averyone of course has their own tastes) that if the same shapes had been used--but with more variation separating driver and passenger dash shapes (as Lincoln used to do, even as recently as in the Aviator)--then the interior would look less narrow, upright and confining. Still, I applaud Ford for separating these twins as much as they did in this case. Lincolns should not look like a Ford with more trim (as the "difference" between Fusion and Milan interiors), and clearly this Lincoln interior is different from the Ford's. More differentiated anyway than for example the old Granada/Versailles effort. You'd think they would have learned this lesson for good a generation ago. After the Versailles, came the beautiful rear drive Continental. Totally based on a Fairmont, but not a window, fender, or interior panel the same. That Continental still looks sharp today. The MKZ exterior has some interesting trim here and there, but the overall shape does not distinguish it much from several other mid-size sedans. Give it some MKR cues next time around, maybe interesting butt and shoulders. Lines that soon enough will lead to even the non-car oriented recognizing it as a Lincoln. Replies to this message: cowbell (Aug 17, 2007 4:35 pm)
#9 of 26 Re: Insideline Review [gregg_vw] by cowbell Aug 17, 2007 (4:35 pm)
Replying to: gregg_vw (Aug 17, 2007 10:46 am) Funny you should mention the MKR. I just recently saw these renderings that sound like they are pretty accurate: It looks quite good.
#10 of 26 Re: Insideline Review [cowbell] by savetheland Aug 17, 2007 (5:00 pm)
Replying to: cowbell (Aug 17, 2007 5:48 am) Lexus has more, I even dare to say much more, luxurious feel when seating inside. It is not like design and materials are better, but solid feel of controls, how lids open-close and many other details. Luxury is about details and this is area where Ford does not pay attention while Toyota and any German luxruy does. Acura has the same feeling as Honda inside - it is actually difficult to distinguish them while sitting inside. MKZ has different design than Fusion but feeling is the same – controls have the same cheap feel and gear selector looks like it came from cheap car (and it did). Angular shape does not help either. I sometime wonder how Ford interior designers come up with ideas.