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2014 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid hits on tech, misses on luxury (pictures)

The new MKZ Hybrid wraps in a lot of tech tricks learned from Ford, and a superb THX audio system, but still feels like a mid-tier premium cruiser.

Wayne Cunningham
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
Wayne Cunningham
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Lincoln's MKZ model is a mid-size sedan, and currently sits at the low end of its line-up. The car can be had with a hybrid drivetrain, pictured, or standard gasoline-fueled engine.

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Although not strictly brand-engineered, the MKZ Hybrid shares more than a few similarities to the Ford Fusion Hybrid.

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The MKZ Hybrid is a front-wheel-drive car with an adaptive suspension.

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The big, winged grille makes for a unique Lincoln styling cue.

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The hybrid drivetrain combines the power of an electric motor and 2-liter gasoline engine to achieve an EPA-rated 45 mpg average.

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These 19-inch aluminum wheels come with the Preferred trim.

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The trunk loses some cargo area to accommodate the 1.4 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack.

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Leather power-adjustable seats and a power-adjustable steering wheel are some of the premium elements of the MKZ Hybrid.

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The interior design looks good, but the suspension and drivetrain don't quite hold up the luxury end.

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Three passengers can fit in the rear bench.

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Lincoln fits the dashboard with some unique controls, including a push-button transmission and slide-style volume control.

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The instrument cluster shows displays on either side of the speedometer.

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The main touchscreen shows an animation depicting the real-time power-flow of the drivetrain.

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A THX audio system is the real high point in the MKZ Hybrid.

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The stereo includes typical sources, such as USB drive, iOS integration, and Bluetooth streaming.

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HD and satellite radio serve as broadcast audio sources.

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The navigation system offers traffic-based routing, but the maps fill in rather slowly.

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External data, such as fuel prices and weather, come in through satellite radio.

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The hands-free phone system includes contact list integration.

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