Leather upholstery, dual-zone temperature control, power heated front seats, a six-speaker AM-FM stereo with six-CD changer and redundant controls on the steering wheel, cruise control, power windows and door locks with remote entry and a number pad on the door, 17-inch wheels and a 60/40 split and fold-down rear seat all come standard.

Options are relatively few. The most popular are a DVD-based navigation system with Lincoln's high-power THX II audio system ($2,400) and a power moonroof ($1,200). The remaining options: ventilated front seats ($495); high-intensity discharge headlights ($495); satellite radio ($195); aluminum interior trim ($195); 17-inch chrome wheels ($895).

Safety features that come standard: side-impact air bags for chest protection in front; curtain-style head protection airbags for all outboard positions; traction control and antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), which distributes braking force to the tires with the most grip. The MKZ achieves Acceptable ratings in heavy frontal and side-impact crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, on a scale that includes Good, Acceptable, Marginal, and Poor. Some of the MKZ's major competitors have Good ratings in these tests. The MKZ lacks one safety feature offered on most competitors and many cars that cost less: electronic stability control. Studies suggest that these skid-management systems are effective in reducing single-car accidents.