Lincoln continues to refine its classy looking MKZ luxury sedan, making it half-a second quick for 2010 along with adding a plusher interior, quieter cabin and a wider, sportier look with a split-wing grille that connects to wraparound headlights. The MKZ is the smallest Lincoln built and is Lincoln’s premium midsize, entry-level sedan, sharing several design features with Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan. MKZ is considered a home-run by Ford since 45% of current MKZ owners do not currently own a Ford, Mercury of Lincoln product. There are only two models – front or all-wheel drive.

We tested the front-wheel drive with the Ultimate Package option ($5,595) that added THXII sound system, moonroof, voice-activated navigation features and driving aids. The Sport Appearance Package ($795) added 18” 10-spoke aluminum wheels, floor mats, interior aluminum trim and leather wrapped steering wheel with audio and cruise controls. Inside, our comfortable dark charcoal Bridge of Weir soft leather-wrapped seats  (heated and cooled in front) had white piping around the edges, bisected in the all seats by an eye-catching white stripe. Lincoln has made the interior quieter with new acoustic materials, which help create immaculate sounds from the THXII sound system via a dashboard-mounted speaker.  Doorsills have an illuminated Lincoln name at night, one of several luxury touches. Rear seats are 60-40 split providing plenty of extra cargo space.  Three deep chrome rimmed cowls shelter the gauges and the dashboard information screen is a nice-sized 7X4 inches. The Navigation system provides clear street lines but doesn’t name many of the side streets, even at the .05-mile setting, a problem when looking for a street but you don’t know the number. Driving aids are great – augmenting the rear-camera visual on the screen is a cross traffic alert watching traffic 65 feet on each side of the vehicle, beeping when a vehicle approaches. A blind spot information system blinks on the side mirrors when vehicles are in the driver’s blind spot while underway.

Behind the wheel, the 3.5-liter engine has been tweaked to subtract .6 of a second in the 0-60 mph sprint and mated with the 6-speed revamped automatic transmission and the new manual slot shifter, it has surprising get up and go. The suspension has been realigned to provide better road-handling qualities and a reduced turning radius. Traction control is standard. Outside, MKZ remains sleek, with minimal side chrome and sparkling paint that looks like it was mixed with diamond dust. MKZ is a top safety pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.