2008 Lincoln Mkz Vs. Cadillac Cts
The Lincoln MKZ and the Cadillac CTS are midsize luxury cars produced by American automakers Ford and General Motors, respectively. Both cars compete in the entry-level luxury car market, and pricing is generally similar. However, there are important differences between the two models.
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Catillac CTS Overview
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GM introduced the Cadillac CTS in 2002 (as a 2003 model) as a replacement for the entry-level Cadillac Catera. The CTS was intended to present a new design style for Cadillac that would carry over to other models in the coming years. The CTS was different from recent Cadillacs in other ways, too, such as utilizing a rear-wheel drive configuration and offering a manual transmission. Between 2003 and 2007, the Cadillac CTS was offered with several V6 and V8 engines that produced from 210 to 400 horsepower.
GM redesigned the Cadillac CTS for 2008. The new car was larger than the original and added the option of four-wheel drive. It was also available with a supercharged engine that produced 556 horsepower, competing with more up-market sport sedans.
Lincoln MKZ Overview
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The Lincoln MKZ was originally known as the Lincoln Zephyr when it was introduced as a 2006 model. In 2007 the name was changed, though the vehicle remained much the same. The MKZ featured front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. It was available with two different V6 engines and only offered with an automatic transmission. The MKZ was built on Ford's CD3 platform, which it shared with theFord Fusion and Mercury Milan.
In many ways the MKZ was a luxury version of the Fusion and Milan, with many of their optional features standard on the MKZ. The MKZ also added Lincoln exterior styling and sold for a higher price than its Ford and Mercury counterparts.
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Similarities
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As entry-level, midsize luxury sedans, the Cadillac CTS and Lincoln MKZ are similar in many ways. Although the Cadillac has a longer wheelbase, the cars are comparable in length and other dimensions and have interior seating for five. At one time, each was available with a 263-horsepower V6 as a base engine option. Both cars come standard with a six-speed automatic transmission. Base models came with many of the same convenience features.
Fuel economy is another important similarity, with both the CTS and MKZ achieving highway ratings in the mid-20 mpg range and city ratings in the mid-teens. Both cars also received consistently high crash-test ratings.
Key Differences
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The Lincoln MKZ, in base trim, has a suggested retail price of $2,000 to $3,000 less than a comparably equipped Cadillac CTS. The CTS rear-wheel drive offers superior performance to the Lincoln MKZ, though with both cars available in all-wheel drive configurations this difference only applies to two-wheel drive models.
The CTS' optional supercharged version, and a host of options not offered by Lincoln, can turn the CTS into a $60,000 sport sedan while the most well-equipped MKZ is more of a $35,000 midlevel luxury car.
Comparison for Buyers
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Both the Cadillac CTS and Lincoln MKZ have received generally favorable reviews. In 2002, the CTS was honored as North American Car of the Year. Each car has been applauded for reinvigorating its respective brand and bringing younger customers to an aging luxury nameplate.
Besides Cadillac's prestige appeal, there are several factors that may make the CTS worth the extra money. Among these is performance, which benefits from rear-wheel drive on two-wheel drive models, and from larger and more powerful engines on all-wheel drive models. The Cadillac CTS outperforms the MKZ by small margins in most safety and reliability testing.
The MKZ, though, may be a better option for buyers wishing to enter the luxury car segment at minimal cost or in a less conspicuous car. When thought of as a upscale version of a Ford, the MKZ seems like a good compromise between extravagance and practicality.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit IFCAR, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cadillac-CTS.jpg
