2019 Lincoln MKZ

The Lincoln MKZ is remarkably affordable for a luxury sedan, but this shows in the vehicle's quality. The base-level MKZ will cost you as little as $35,995, while the Reserve I adds $3,000 in exchange for a fair number of additional features. Getting behind the wheel of the top-tier Reserve II will cost you more in the range of what a usual luxury sedan costs, with a starting MSRP of $44,995. These prices exclude tax, registration, licensing, and a destination fee of $995. Adding all-wheel-drive will see you pay a further $2,000.

Steering is as you'd expect from a luxury sedan, with little feel traveling from the tires to the steering wheel. However, the light steering is ideal for town driving, where the quick responses are appreciated. The steering can be shifted between Comfort and Sport modes to customize driver engagement, but given the relatively minimal change this makes, sticking to the more manageable Comfort mode is suggested. Braking is as responsive as the steering, although it feels more rewarding with a pedal that communicates better. This results in easily modulated and controlled braking around town, with enough stopping power to bring the sedan to a halt from 60 mph in just 113 ft.

Handling is pretty good for a luxury sedan, especially thanks to the adaptive suspension that comes standard across the range. Thus, it's not surprising that that the MKZ remains well-mannered and composed on the road, even through sharper corners. But it's still heavy for the segment, and with AWD and the V6 engine, it doesn't feel as sharp and nimble as some rivals. Despite the adaptive suspension, the MKZ can feel a bit stiff on the road. Some road imperfections travel through the chassis too easily, and equipping the larger 19-inch wheels only makes this worse.

With an affordable price tag and a long list of standard features, the Lincoln MKZ certainly has a lot of appeal for those who want to look like they belong, while still benefiting from most of the features provided by a true luxury sedan. The exterior is stylish with just the right amount of sportiness, but once you open the door, the illusion is shattered. The interior lacks the upscale quality that rivals who have mastered the luxury segment provide; think Mercedes C-Class or Audi A4. However, if you are willing to overlook these shortcomings, the MKZ still has a lot to offer. Infotainment is top-notch, as is the standard consignment of safety features. The trunk is spacious, though still not class-leading, and the ride quality and handling aren't terrible. But the powertrains provide subpar gas mileage and lackluster performance, despite the power figures being on par.

This is the American sparkling apple cider of luxury sedans, standing beside the premium European champagnes of the world. It gives you just enough of a tingle to think you've experienced luxury, but it is a pale shadow compared to the real thing. And if you're going to put down the kind of money that the top-tier MKZ is asking, you may as well double down and get what your money is worth.

While the base MKZ trim comes with pretty much everything you really need in a modern daily-driver, the Reserve I trim might be worth the extra $3,000. The upgrade from faux leather to real leather is a significant bump in interior comfort, and when you add the lumbar support and additional charging outlets for smart devices, it is certainly worth the price. Stepping up the top trim isn't really worth the cost, although if you really want the V6 engine, this is unavoidable.

The two sedans share similar underpinnings and, therefore, some of the same weaknesses. The Fusion also gets a weak base engine, a 173-hp four-cylinder, which gives it equally poor acceleration. Inside, it isn't a luxury vehicle either, but it still feels better-appointed than the MKZ, with a larger interior and trunk. It features the same easy-to-use Sync 3 infotainment system, although the sound system is less extensive. However, the Ford costs half as much as the Lincoln and gets better fuel economy. When you take into account the Fusion's excellent ride quality and precise handling, as well as its available safety features that mirror those in the MKZ, the Ford is the better choice.

While the base 268-hp turbo-four engine on the CTS isn't as refined as other luxury models', it is still stronger than the MKZ's and gets better fuel economy. However, the available V6 and the 420-hp turbo V6 give it much more powerful options than the Lincoln, which pairs well with its sportier handling. Unfortunately, the interior shows the same lack of refinement when compared to European rivals and the CUE infotainment suite isn't as streamlined as the MKZ's. Add to this the reduced passenger and trunk space, and the CTS feels less like a daily driver and more like a statement car, especially when you take into consideration its higher starting price. Overall, the Caddy is a better performer, but that isn't everything a luxury sedan should be, and it feels less well-rounded than the Lincoln MKZ.