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Caraganza First Drive Review 2017 Lincoln MKZ Black Label: What I know now

(Ford)

(Ford)

One of the few advantages of getting older, and trust me when I say there are very few, is the gaining of experience. That’s why the phrase “If I knew then what I know now” becomes so relevant as the years pass by.

There are bad experiences you don’t want to remember, getting drunk, really drunk, for the first time and the subsequent hangover is a bad experience for example; meeting the girl of your dreams and having her stand at the altar and say, “I do” is a good experience.

We learn from these experiences collecting information as we get older to be used as we see fit. For example, while I still, on occasions, drink to excess, experience has taught me that drinking water while consuming the offending alcohol will stave off a hangover.

And when you have a good car once, having something almost the same will usually result in the same experience.

Ford backed up this notion recently when they sent me a 2017 Lincoln MKZ.

I had a 2017 MKZ last July; loved it. In the ensuing months I have a week with the new 2018 Continental which I liked even better.  The MKZ slots just below the Continental which replaces the MKS as the flagship of the lineup.

The MKZ can be had in Premiere, Select and Reserve. Last July I had the Reserve. This latest was the Black Label which has a few added tweaks above the Reserve like some upgrades in the interior, a choice of themes and other things outside the car such as concierge service, a longer premium maintenance plan, and other amenities available to Black Label owners. I, of course, got none of those extra niceties, but I did get a great American luxury vehicle for a week.

For 2017 the MKZ got an updated grille and headlights that put it more in line with the new Continental, along with some interior tweaks that include new controls.

Perhaps the best thing the 2017 got was something I didn’t have last July a new optional 400-horsepower V6 engine. In July I had the base turbocharged 4-cylinder, which was just fine. This new V6 however, was even finer.

There was a nice rumble under hood and when called upon the refined, quiet, character of the large luxury sedan changed to that of a snarling beast.   It was actually surprising that while surrounded by all this luxury you could rocket away from a stoplight with a low growl. There really was a difference between the base engine and this new one.  That’s not to take way from July’s MKZ; the base engine has plenty of power, and beyond the satisfying rumble from up front, the luxury, smooth ride, quiet comfort and good looks the Lincoln is known for were still there.

While experience can be useful when we age, there are some bad things such as forgetting why I walked in the room. One thing I can remember though, and was glad to experience, were a few great weeks with the Lincoln lineup including this latest week with the 3.0 6-cylinder MKZ.

 2017 Lincoln MKZ Black Label AWD
MSRP: $49,560
MSRP (as tested): $61,765
Engine (as tested): 3.0-liter V6, 400 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm, 400 lb-ft torque @ 2750 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed shiftable automatic
Fuel Mileage (EPA): 17 city, 26 highway, 20 combined
Fuel Mileage (as tested, mixed conditions): 24 mpg
Base Curb Weight: 3874 lbs.

Interior Dimensions
Passenger Capacity:     5
Passenger Volume: ft³     96.5
Front Head Room: in     37.9
Front Leg Room: in     44.3
Front Shoulder Room: in     57.7
Front Hip Room: in     55.1
Second Head Room: in     36.5
Second Leg Room: in     37
Second Shoulder Room: in     55.3
Second Hip Room: in     53.8

Exterior Dimensions
Wheelbase: in     112.2
Length, Overall: in     194.1
Width, Max w/o mirrors: in     73.4
Height, Overall: in     58.1
Track Width, Front: in     62.3
Track Width, Rear: in     62
Cargo Area Dimensions
Trunk Volume: ft³     15.4

Warranty
Basic: 4 Years/50,000 Miles
Drivetrain: 6 Years/70,000 Miles
Corrosion: 5 Years/Unlimited Miles
Roadside Assistance: Unlimited Years/Unlimited Miles

Greg Engle
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