Lincoln MKZ
14 model years from 2007 to 2020, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.

- Model years
- 2007–2020
- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Latest engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Best MPG
- 20–41 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- ★★★★★ (2020)
- Recalls
- 32 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2008 (259)
- Fewest problems
- 2020
- Interest
- 4,709 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2020 MKZ in brief
The 2020 Lincoln MKZ is a midsize car offered with 3 engines (2.0L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 194 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,909 lb (2.0l AWD 4dr Sedan).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 41 MPG combined (42 city / 39 highway), 49% better than the 2020 midsize car average of 27.6 MPG, for an estimated $1,650 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the steering.
The Lincoln MKZ has 14 model years in our data, from 2007 to 2020.
Its most efficient year was 2020 at 41 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 20 to 41 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the air bags (687), service brakes (200), engine (166).
Buying used? 2020 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2015 is the year to avoid.
2014 has the most recalls (13); all years together count 32 campaigns and 1,714 owner complaints.
How the 2007 MKZ compares
The 2007 Lincoln MKZ is a midsize car offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 191 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,534 lb.
About the Lincoln MKZ
The Lincoln MKZ is a mid-size, four-door, five-passenger, front- or all-wheel drive luxury sedan manufactured by Ford and marketed by its Lincoln brand across two generations in North America and China (2015–2020). Co-developed with the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan, the MKZ was available with either gasoline or gasoline-electric hybrid powertrains.
From the Wikipedia article "Lincoln MKZ", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2020 MKZ pros & cons
Full 2020 details →What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 41 MPG combined — 49% better than the average 2020 midsize car (27.6 MPG).
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Best and worst years to buy used
2020 MKZ
3 owner complaints · 1 recall
NHTSA overall: ★★★★★
Year to avoid2015 MKZ
97 owner complaints · 10 recalls · 6 crash reports
Most reported: Electrical System
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 6 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
MKZ changes by model year
- 2017
- Engine added: 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Engine dropped: 3.7L 6-cyl
- 2015
- Best combined MPG up from 38 to 40
- 2014
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall
- 2013
- New body dimensions: 3.5 in longer, wheelbase +4.7 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Engines added: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.7L 6-cyl
- Engines dropped: 2.5L 4-cyl and 3.5L 6-cyl
- 2011
- New hybrid version
- Engine added: 2.5L 4-cyl
- Best combined MPG up from 21 to 38
- 2008
- Best combined MPG up from 20 to 22
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 14 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 41 MPG | 194.1 in | 3,909 lb | ★★★★★ | 1 | 3 |
| 2019 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 41 MPG | 194.1 in | 3,909 lb | ★★★★★ | 1 | 23 |
| 2018 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 40 MPG | 194.1 in | 3,909 lb | ★★★★★ | 2 | 38 |
| 2017 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 40 MPG | 194.1 in | 3,909 lb | ★★★★★ | 4 | 158 |
| 2016 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.7L 6-cyl | 40 MPG | 194.1 in | 3,827 lb | ★★★★★ | 6 | 71 |
| 2015 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.7L 6-cyl | 40 MPG | 194.1 in | 3,827 lb | ★★★★★ | 10 | 97 |
| 2014 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.7L 6-cyl | 38 MPG | 194.1 in | 3,827 lb | ★★★★★ | 13 | 117 |
| 2013 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.7L 6-cyl | 38 MPG | 194.1 in | 3,827 lb | Not rated | 12 | 101 |
| 2012 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl | 38 MPG | 190.6 in | 3,750 lb | Not rated | 5 | 195 |
| 2011 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl | 38 MPG | 190.6 in | 3,600 lb | Not rated | 5 | 170 |
| 2010 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 21 MPG | 190.6 in | 3,600 lb | Not rated | 7 | 150 |
| 2009 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 21 MPG | 190.6 in | 3,534 lb | Not rated | 6 | 103 |
| 2008 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 22 MPG | 190.6 in | 3,534 lb | Not rated | 4 | 259 |
| 2007 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 20 MPG | 190.6 in | 3,534 lb | Not rated | 4 | 229 |
Alternatives to the 2020 MKZ
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 BMW 3 Series | 30 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2020 BMW 5 Series | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 26 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2020 Audi A4 | 30 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Tesla Model 3 | 330 mi | ★★★★★ | 21 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Lincoln. How we calculate this →