I was looking forward to finally experiencing the new face of American luxury, or “your smarter choice for luxury,” the 2013 Lincoln MKZ through a promotion call #MKZDateNight with Grapevine Lincoln. Quite frankly, I was more impressed than I expected to be. The MKZ is a comfortable, luxury car with most of the ingredients needed to make its mark in the luxury car market.
This Lincoln MKZ was loaded with the 102A Reserve Equipment Group that includes the rear-view camera system, navigation and blind-spot monitoring. It also included the Panoramic Moonroof and the Technology Package that sports Adaptive Cruise Control, automated parking assistance and a lane-keeping system. These options add some additional features over the standard equipment, which includes items like adaptive LED headlamps, MyLincoln Touch and an automatically dimming driver-side mirror. Some may look at these features as un-necessary fluff, but it does create a technology-lover’s dream cabin.

An interesting additional safety feature on the MKZ is the optional lane-keeping system. This system, when activated, utilizes a camera behind the rear-view mirror to watch the road ahead. It will identify the lines on the road and warn the driver if she strays to close to the lines. This system will actively apply turning force to the steering wheel, steering the vehicle back into the lane. This feature takes a little getting use to, but it definitely makes you alert. The MKZ also warns you if you are too close another vehicle in the front. It flashes a red light onto the windshield, pre-charges the brakes and pre-tensions the seatbelts. When I was driving, if I approached a slower vehicle, the MKZ would slow down to match its pace.

EcoBoost four-cylinder provided enough oomph, and it drives quietly even at highway speeds. Lincoln has done a good job instilling the MKZ with a comfortable, larger-car feel. The interior pieces are all soft-touch. There is plenty of room in the rear seats for passengers, as well. Since the gear shifter has been replaced with buttons, the center console is cleared up quite nicely for hand holding. 😉 Looking for a smart, luxury car? Head to Grapevine Lincoln to test drive. Opening Fall 2013, Grapevine Lincoln is expanding and providing more luxuries to their sales and service department, such as FREE car washes, concierge service for maintenance and COMPLIMENTARY parking and shuttle service to DFW Airport.

Need more exclusivity and poshness in your car? Beginning this weekend, Lincoln reveals the Lincoln Black Label in Pebble Beach, CA. Lincoln Black Label will be a collection of ultra-premium interior themes and exterior colors combined with an elevated level of personal customer experience. For more information, go to www.lincoln.com/blacklabel. This site will offer consumers an overview of Lincoln Black Label, including rich imagery and descriptions of the collection.