2012 Lincoln MKZ

Lincoln's mid-size MKZ sedan, which shares a platform with the Ford Fusion, was given a makeover two years ago and was first offered as a hybrid in 2011. The MKZ Hybrid features a 2.5- liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine mated to an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission, the same technology used in the Ford Escape and Fusion hybrids. The 40-hp electric motor will take you as fast as 47 mph before gasoline assistance kicks in. The MKZ Hybrid comes with the usual bells and whistles, such as SmartGauge with EcoGuide to monitor how green your driving behavior is. It is rated at 41 mpg in city driving and 36 mpg on the highway, making it the most fuel efficient luxury sedan on the market, handily beating the Lexus HS250h (although it can't quite match the efficiency of the Lexus CT200h hatchback). If a hybrid just isn't your thing, there is an available gasoline V-6 powerplant that produces a more-than-adequate 263 hp and 249 lb-ft of torque. With the V-6, buyers can choose either front- or all-wheel-drive propulsion. Options include Sync AppLink voice-activated navigation, a rearview camera, a blind-spot information system, and adaptive HID headlamps. The luxurious cabin features upgraded materials and is trimmed in aluminum or wood (depending on which package you order). As before, a host of safety and high-tech features is available.