2020 Lincoln MKZ

midsize luxury car / 4-door sedan

2020 Lincoln MKZ 4-door sedan
2017 Lincoln MKZ shown

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Roof strength

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Standard system
Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Standard system
No Credit

Seat belts & child restraints

LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

  • Standard blind spot detection
  • Standard lane departure warning & prevention

Key

  • G
    Good
  • A
    Acceptable
  • M
    Marginal
  • P
    Poor
  • Superior
  • Advanced
  • Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2017-20 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 Ford Fusion SE 4-door

The Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ were redesigned for the 2013 model year. Beginning with 2017 models, the front-end structure and bumper reinforcement were modified to improve occupant protection in small overlap and moderate overlap frontal crashes.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

The driver's space was maintained well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CEN1617
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 4
Footrest (cm) 2
Left toepan (cm) 1
Brake pedal (cm) 2
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 2
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 2
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 2
Upper dash (cm) 2
Lower instrument panel (cm) 2

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEN1617
Head
HIC-15 86
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.0
Extension bending moment (Nm) 11
Maximum Nij 0.20
Chest maximum compression (mm) 18
Femur (kN)
Left 0.4
Right 0.3
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.63
Right 0.41
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.0
Right 1.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 31
Right 37

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2017-20 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 Ford Fusion SE 4-door

The Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ were redesigned for the 2013 model year. Beginning with 2017 models, the front-end structure and bumper reinforcement were modified to improve occupant protection in small overlap and moderate overlap frontal crashes.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the passenger-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame and dashboard after the crash test indicates that the passenger’s survival space was maintained very well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the passenger dummy’s head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

The passenger’s space was maintained well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Test ID CEP1706
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 9
Footrest (cm) 3
Right toepan (cm) 2
Center toepan (cm) 2
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 2
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 3
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 5
Upper dash (cm) 5
Right lower dash (cm) 4

Passenger injury measures

Test ID CEP1706
Head
HIC-15 90
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm) 16
Maximum Nij 0.27
Chest maximum compression (mm) 21
Femur (kN)
Left 0.1
Right 0.3
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.36
Right 0.46
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.1
Right 0.9
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 26
Right 26

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEP1706
Head
HIC-15 43
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.7
Extension bending moment (Nm) 10
Maximum Nij 0.16
Chest maximum compression (mm) 29
Femur (kN)
Left 0.4
Right 0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.39
Right 0.31
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 0.7
Right 0.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 54
Right 34

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2017-20 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 Ford Fusion SE 4-door

The Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ were redesigned for the 2013 model year. Beginning with 2017 models, the front-end structure and bumper reinforcement were modified to improve occupant protection in small overlap and moderate overlap frontal crashes.

Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Ford.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTF1609
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 3
Left (cm) 4
Center (cm) 3
Right (cm) 2
Brake pedal (cm) 5
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 1
Right (cm) 1
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) 0
Rearward (cm) -5
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF1609
Head
HIC-15 157
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.7
Extension bending moment (Nm) 15
Maximum Nij 0.21
Chest maximum compression (mm) 19
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 0.8
Femur force - right (kN) 0.9
Knee displacement - left (mm) 1
Knee displacement - right (mm) 1
Maximum tibia index - left 0.35
Maximum tibia index - right 0.44
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 2.2
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 2.6
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 54
Right 60

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2017-20 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 Ford Fusion SE 4-door 4wd

The Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ were redesigned for the 2013 model year. Beginning with 2017 models, the side airbags were modified to improve occupant protection in side impact crashes. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Ford.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTS1608
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -11.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS1608
Head HIC-15 377
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.2
Compression (kN) 0.3
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 40
Lateral force (kN) 2.0
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 36
Average deflection (mm) 28
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 4.53
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.48
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 2.6
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.9
Combined force (kN) 4.6
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.4
L-M moment (Nm) 28
A-P moment (Nm) 59

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS1608
Head HIC-15 143
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.3
Compression (kN) 0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 39
Lateral force (kN) 1.6
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 42
Average deflection (mm) 26
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 3.43
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.48
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.3
Acetabulum force (kN) 2.6
Combined force (kN) 2.8
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.8
L-M moment (Nm) 14
A-P moment (Nm) 100

About the original side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2017-20 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 Lincoln MKZ Select 4-door

Overall evaluation
Curb weight3,812 lbs
Peak force15,929 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio4.18

About the roof strength test

Headlights

Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • Base trim
  • Reserve I trim
  • Reserve II trim
Low-beam headlight typeHID projector
High-beam headlight typeHID projector
Curve-adaptive?Yes
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit Some glare

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was fair on the gradual left curve and inadequate on the sharp left and both right curves.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Base trim
  • Reserve I trim
  • Reserve II trim
Low-beam headlight type HID projector
High-beam headlight type HID projector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2017-20 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 82.5 m 13.4%
Straightaway left edge 48.2 m 13.4%
250m radius right curve, right edge 54.5 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 46.5 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 44.9 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 41.4 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 133.3 m
Straightaway left edge 132.7 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 61.3 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 69.0 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 48.4 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 53.5 m

Trim level(s)

  • Reserve II trim equipped with Luxury package
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?Yes
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination Excessive glare

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.

The low beams created excessive glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves and fair on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Reserve II trim equipped with Luxury package
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2017-20 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 116.0 m 312.1%
Straightaway left edge 96.2 m 312.1%
250m radius right curve, right edge 83.1 m 78.0%
250m radius left curve, left edge 71.6 m 51.6%
150m radius right curve, right edge 69.3 m 65.2%
150m radius left curve, left edge 56.8 m 38.5%
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 183.6 m
Straightaway left edge 163.1 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 86.5 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 75.0 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 69.9 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 56.6 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

  • Standard Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2019-20 models

Superior
Superior
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

About the original front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

System details

  • standard Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to all 2019-20 models

No Credit
No Credit

Crossing child

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle failed to slow.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle failed to slow.

Crossing adult

  • In the 12 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 2 mph.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 4 mph.

Parallel adult

  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 16 mph. A warning was issued 1.6 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2016-20 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimbase/Premiere
Seat type leatherette

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimbase/Premiere
Seat type leatherette
1 2 3
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor
Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol
Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol
Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol
Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
No hardware available

Details by seating position

1
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
2
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
none available
3
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 4-6
Force (lbs) 23
Clearance angle (degrees) 65
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 4-6
Force (lbs) 22
Clearance angle (degrees) 63
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 22

2

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 6-8
Force (lbs) 33
Clearance angle (degrees) 61
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 6-8
Force (lbs) 21
Clearance angle (degrees) 64
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation