Car Review
Lincoln wants to attract young buyers with modern cars made with traditional, understated elegance. The company has achieved this with the all-new Zephyr midsize sedan. The Zephyr, whose name Lincoln also used for a number of pre-World War II cars, is the most affordable model in the Lincoln lineup. Like the Fusion and Milan, the Lincoln Zephyr is based on a lengthened and extended version of the familiar Mazda 6 platform. Being wider and longer than the Mazda 6, the Zephyr combines powerful performance with a spacious cabin for five adult passengers.
To distinguish the Lincoln Zephyr from the less expensive Ford and Mercury models, the Lincoln features an elegant center pillar design and premium interior materials such as standard leather upholstery and aluminum trim that can be contrasted with light or dark wood. On the outside, the Zephyr features the traditional Lincoln grille, standard 17-inch wheels and LED taillights. Unique features not found in the Fusion and Milan include HID headlights, a navigation system, and ventilated seats. The Zephyr is powered by a 3.0-liter, 221-horsepower V6 paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.
Of this trio of new midsize sedans, the Lincoln Zephyr is the most luxurious in terms of features and design. However, given the higher price tag and the Zephyr's luxury name, we think some buyers will find it a bit inferior to the competition in terms of performance and premium features.
Performance and fuel economy
The front-drive Lincoln Zephyr is powered by a 221-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 paired with a standard six-speed automatic transmission. This transmission shifts well enough, but we would have liked a true manual shift mode instead of the two forward gears ("D" and "L").
Safety
All Zephyr models have anti-lock brakes with four-wheel disc brakes and traction control as standard. Oddly, stability control is not offered. The Zephyr comes standard with front seat side airbags and side curtain airbags to protect the heads of all passengers sitting outside. In addition, the B-pillars (between the front and rear doors) are reinforced to channel the energy of a side impact down and away from passengers. The roof structure is also reinforced to meet proposed rollover protection standards, which will not go into effect until 2009. In NHTSA crash tests, the Lincoln Zephyr received four out of five stars for frontal impact, and five stars (front) and four stars (rear) in side crash tests.
Driving
With responsive steering and a relaxed ride, the Lincoln Zephyr is as nimble on country roads as it is comfortable on the highway. Wind and road noise are effectively suppressed at freeway speeds, and the transmission shifts up and down clearly, though we would have liked manual access to the gears. Overall performance is acceptable, but the Zephyr's acceleration pales in comparison to the similarly priced Maxima and Passat.
Interior
The Zephyr's upscale interior offers a successful blend of high-quality materials and traditional design elements. The exterior is clearly inspired by the Lincoln. Satin aluminum interior trim and a choice of dark ebony or light maple wood accents are standard. A DVD navigation system is available, as well as a THX II-certified audio system with 14 speakers. The base and optional audio systems support MP3 files, and the folding rear seat and 15.8 cubic foot trunk make the Zephyr even more practical. Most buyers will find the Lincoln Zephyr spacious enough, with enough head, shoulder and legroom for adults to sit comfortably in the front or back.
Lincoln Zephyr models.
The Lincoln Zephyr midsize sedan is offered as a base model. Standard features include 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather seats, wood trim, an MP3-compatible audio system with six speakers and CD changer, 10-way adjustable front seats with driver memory, split folding rear seat, analog clock, cruise control, full accessory package and keyless entry system. Lincoln options include a DVD-based navigation system, power sunroof, HID headlights and ventilated seats. A unique THX II audio system with 600-watt amplifier and 14 speakers is also available.
