Lincoln Unveils New 2017 Lincoln MKZ

[jimflutes]

So i am starting to warm up to the new Z , especially  in this color.  Jim

[jimflutes]

So I am starting to warm up to the new Z , especially  in this color.  Jim

[shortspark]

I was ready to buy the Jag XF after having a passing interest in the MKZ.  Then I saw this.  Not quite as nice overall as the Jag perhaps but even in Black Label the MKZ should be a few thousand less than a well optioned XF AND with about 40 more HP and torque.  Many of these modern cars have traits that seem like they copy from other brands so that does not bother me at all, especially if I like the basic style.  In the luxury segment only Cadillac and (most, but not all) of MB seem to stand out individually.  I say "most" because the recent GLE Coupe is a copy of the BMW.  

 

The XF, even with less engine, will probably feel lighter, more nimble and sportier overall as that is its nature.  But I suspect the MKZ will still be the more comfortable and quiet car of the two and that is what I want over "sport".  Too bad the MKZ's new engine is not supercharged like the XF as I prefer that over a turbo.  Nonetheless, thanks to this retooling I will now be taking a real good look at the MKZ next year.

[miahjera04]

I personally do like the split grille better, but i do like these new headlights, though they're pretty much Audi knock offs. PLUS for having some buttons for heated/cooled seats. I dont like having to essentially go to my screen for everything in my car. Nice to have some hardware buttons to access things quicker imo. BIGGEST plus goes to the new power train options, honestly, that alone is what would make me want this car. 400/400 sounds like a dream, exactly what this cars needed all along.

[2015mkzhybrid]

I now love my '15 even more after seeing the new MKZ pics. I don't mind the new grill, but the headlights look too much like a Chrysler 200, and as said before in some posts, this new MKZ is gravitating way too close towards its Continental sibling. Keep the MKZ unique - that's a big reason I bought one!!! Also those circus wheels don't help.

 

I think it ironic that only the front end has been altered, as the rest of the car looks pretty much unchanged cosmetically except for a few interior knobs (at least to me)...... Now if the new MKZ rear lights were redesigned to look more like the Jag's XF, well at least a 360 degrees change would have been done. Then one could buy a Jag clone at a fraction of the price, as Lincoln is and apparantly will continue to be such a great deal in the luxury market.

 

On a very positive note, my MKZ version will continue to be a head turner in years to come, since there are few around my neck of the woods, and obviously will be even less in numbers when the '17 hits the streets.

 

That being said, I will still enjoy viewing the actual product in person later next year. After all, I love the Lincoln brand - it's a great car!

[jimflutes]

2015mkzhybrid , Great write up , agree with everything you said. I have the 2013 Zh , I do not see any advantage for us hybrid owners for the new model because it will have the same engine , and I have never had any problems with it. My car still looks brand new thanks to the Optimum opti-coat finish , and the new 2017Z front looks too much like the new continental , which has the older Lincoln feel .  Jim

[JAWMKZ]

I really, really do not want to put up with people, clarifying if it is a Jaguar or a Lincoln. Why couldn't the grill stay "whale like" and just add the new mesh design? And Lord if those wheels make it to production.....Side note, if knobs are back, maybe so is the spare tire???????

[Rusty Boltz]

I really, really do not want to put up with people, clarifying if it is a Jaguar or a Lincoln. Why couldn't the grill stay "whale like" and just add the new mesh design? And Lord if those wheels make it to production.....Side note, if knobs are back, maybe so is the spare tire???????

Doubt it. Spare tires are too heavy.

[drolds1]

AFAIK, the non-hybrids still come with a (temp) spare.

[jimflutes]

I put together a spare tire by taking out the plastic form under the trunk space , I have not notice any difference in mpg or performance. I was all set to buy the new refresh Z , but now I will keep my 2013 , I just do not like the new front , looking at both I like my front better.. I wonder if Lincoln ask us MKZ owners to vote on the refresh what would be the out come. All they had to do is upgrade the wing design someway , maybe with a mesh type grill like JAWMKZ said , anyway I would vote no to the refresh.  Jim

[JAWMKZ]

My post was more wishful thinking. Looking at the options, I do not see anything major lost, outside of capacitive touch HVAC controls now knobs (unless I missed something else). Given that, if all that is changing is the front of the car, then this is something to just get used to "looks" wise. It's going to be interesting seeing them on the road (or getting into it daily).

[bdegrand]

Anybody have photos of the rear taillights on the 2017 MKZ? I just love my 2016 MKZ and hope they don't screw up the beautiful taillight design.

[drolds1]

There's no change to the rear styling of the 2017.

[Myron D. Brown]

I've always hated the way the brake lights on the MKZ don't go all the way across like on the MKC, MKX, and new Continental. There's that blank space in the middle, where nothing lights up. Anybody know why? Hopefully they will change that before the 2017 goes into production.

[SteveB_TX]

That middle spot is the LED Backup light.  Gotta put it somewhere.  :)

[jimflutes]

I read that the rear end is a little wider. After looking at photos the only difference  I noticed was that there is a chrome piece that runs along the rear bumper a little under the license plate spot. I was thinking of putting something like this on my 13 Z but there is no room for it.  Jim   

[jimflutes]

[2015mkzhybrid]

I like that chrome touch......thanks for sharing Jim.

[Myron D. Brown]

That middle spot is the LED Backup light.  Gotta put it somewhere.  :)

 

Ooooooooh...I always wondered why that was there. I guess I've never really paid attention to the backup light. I wonder why Lincoln couldn't think of a different place to put it? In comparison to their other cars, it seems like a mistake...

[jimflutes]

2015mkzhybrid, Yes I like this chrome touch,but I looked at my bumper where you would put this and noticed that there is no room for it on our models (13-16). On the 17 Z they have a cut out space where the chrome piece fits into. Jim

[drolds1]

Lincoln-MKZ-2017-Rear-View.jpg

Good catch.  I hadn't even noticed that.

[Robert Iggy Cerami]

Also noticed that bottom piece is the same color as the car....not black like our current  MKZs...The chrome is a nice touch

[Myron D. Brown]

Also noticed that bottom piece is the same color as the car....not black like our current  MKZs...The chrome is a nice touch

 

...you sure?

[Robert Iggy Cerami]

...you sure?

 

If you look at the photos that Jim posted yes.. Looking at your photos then no

[Myron D. Brown]

If you look at the photos that Jim posted yes.. Looking at your photos then no

 

Yea, because that car actually happens to be [nearly] the same color as the bottom of the bumper. Gray/dark gray. I think it's actually a dark grayish color. I never was too crazy about that part being a different color. I really like the rear of the new Continental, where it's all the same color.