Jones Auto Centers Compares 2015 Lincoln MKZ VS 2015 Ford Fusion Near Buckeye, AZ

The MKZ offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Fusion Hybrid doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the MKZ and the Fusion Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front-wheel drive, height-adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

The MKZ comes with a full 4 year/50,000 mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car. The Fusion Hybrid’s 3 year/36,000 mile basic warranty expires 1 year and 14,000 miles sooner.

Lincoln’s powertrain warranty covers the MKZ 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Ford covers the Fusion Hybrid. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Fusion Hybrid ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

Lincoln pays for scheduled maintenance on the MKZ for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Lincoln will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Ford doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Fusion Hybrid.

The MKZ has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Fusion Hybrid doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the car’s engine.

The battery on the MKZ is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures which can degrade battery life. By keeping the MKZ’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Fusion Hybrid’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2014 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lincoln vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lincoln 10th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 7 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 16th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2014 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lincoln vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lincoln 6th in reliability, above the industry average. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 17th.

For better stopping power the MKZ 2.0 Turbo/V6’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Fusion Hybrid:

The MKZ stops much shorter than the Fusion Hybrid:

For better traction, the MKZ has larger tires than the Fusion Hybrid (245/45R18 vs. 235/50R17).

The MKZ’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Fusion Hybrid’s standard 50 series tires. The MKZ’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Fusion Hybrid’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the MKZ has standard 18-inch wheels. Only 17-inch wheels are available on the Fusion Hybrid. The MKZ offers optional 19-inch wheels.

The MKZ has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Fusion Hybrid, it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The MKZ has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Fusion Hybrid’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The MKZ AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the Fusion Hybrid SE (27.3 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28.7 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults or children, the MKZ offers an optional power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Fusion Hybrid doesn’t offer a power trunk.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the MKZ has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Fusion Hybrid doesn’t offer cornering lights.

A power rear sunshade is optional in the MKZ to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Fusion Hybrid doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

The MKZ’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford only offers heated mirrors on the Fusion Hybrid SE/Titanium.

The MKZ has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Fusion Hybrid, and aren’t available on the Fusion Hybrid S. The MKZ also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Fusion Hybrid.

Both the MKZ and the Fusion Hybrid offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the MKZ has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Fusion Hybrid S doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the MKZ is less expensive to operate than the Fusion Hybrid because typical repairs cost less on the MKZ than the Fusion Hybrid, including $63 less for a starter and $15 less for a fuel pump.

Both the Lincoln MKZ and Ford Fusion Hybrid won an award in Kiplinger’s 2014 car issue.