An Industry First - Lincoln's 2011 MKZ Hybrid Price Surprise

It might be an automotive industry first! The Lincoln MKZ hybrid 4-door
luxury sedan will be priced the same as the gasoline MKZ.

This is a surprise since hybrids tend to cost several thousand dollars
more than a comparable gasoline model. Hybrids cost more based upon
the extra cost to build the gas/electric vehicles.

Ford's decision to lower the price of the MKZ hybrid will likely entice
more buyers. However, the $35,180 sticker price is the same as Lexus'
relatively new HS 250h hybrid, which Fords considers to be the MKZ's
closest luxury competitor.

USA Today states that the MKZ is billed as the most fuel-efficient
luxury car on the market as it gets 6 mpg more in the city than the
Lexus HS 259h.

The MKZ hybrid is equipped with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gas
engine combined with an electric motor to put out 191 horsepower.
It is rated at 41 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 39 mpg combined.
For comparison, a MKZ 3.5-liter 263 hp V6 is rated at 18/27/21.

Hats off to Ford for helping to get the electric ball rolling! And
for the same price, why would anyone choose the gasoline model?

Have an auto question or comment? You can email it to me at
Kbusch3@verizon.net.Kyle Busch is the author of "Drive the
Best for the Price..." www.DriveTheBestBook.com.