Competitors include INFINITI’s M35h, a V6 hybrid luxury cruiser with much more power, but many fewer miles per gallon; BMW’s ActiveHybrid 3-series, with a turbocharged straight six which essentially uses an electric motor for extra power and torque, and thus suffers considerably in terms of fuel economy compared to the MKZ; the Lexus ES300h, with its 2.5-liter 4-cylinder hybrid system, is a more direct rival, but still can’t quite keep pace with the MKZ’s 45 city/45 highway rating; and the Buick LaCrosse eAssist, if you’d rather have GM’s approach to fuel-efficient luxury. At 25 city/37 highway, it’ll spend more time at the pump, but the electric motor in place of an alternator doesn’t jolt to life from a dead stop like the MKZ’s full-blown hybrid drive system.
With unassailable fuel efficiency and more comfort and cool tech than ever, the 2013 Lincoln MKZ is making waves among the luxury hyper-miler competition.