2018 Lincoln MKZ Premiere

The MKZ is Lincoln's mid-size sedan, a more distinctive take on the Ford Fusion underneath, and it's the model that helped the brand feel modern again. It's tuned for smooth, quiet cruising rather than sporty responses, so the steering feels a bit relaxed, but the ride is genuinely comfortable for long trips. The cabin looks sharp with its push-button gear selector and sweeping dash, though some plastics feel a bit cheap for the price, and rear headroom is tight for taller passengers. You get a big touchscreen with Lincoln's Sync 3 system, which is far easier to use than the older MyLincoln Touch, plus standard driver aids like blind-spot monitoring. The Premiere is the base MKZ, so it skips some of the Reserve's luxury extras but keeps the same comfortable ride and sharp styling. Under the hood is a turbocharged 2.0L I4 making 245 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic and front-wheel drive; expect 24 mpg combined. This one has the standard 18-inch wheels and cloth seats, so you're getting the essentials without the extra cost of the Select's leather.