The Lincoln MKZ does 27.8 mpg combined (25.9 city, 31.4 highway), which works out to about $1,381 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl Hybrid does 39.8 mpg while 3L 6-cyl does 21 — a difference of $864 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Lincoln MKZ engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Lincoln MKZ ranges from 39.8 down to 21 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $864 a year across 6 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl Hybrid | 40.5 / 38.3 | 2013–2020 | $965 | |
| 2.5L 4-cyl Hybrid | 41 / 35 | 2011–2012 | $1,011 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 21.3 / 31.8 | 2013–2020 | $1,536 | |
| 3.7L 6-cyl | 18.5 / 26.5 | 2013–2016 | $1,786 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 17.8 / 26.8 | 2007–2012 | $1,829 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 18 / 27 | 2017–2020 | $1,829 |
What that actually costs
The Lincoln MKZ burns a gallon every 27.8 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 432 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.115 |
| Fuel per year | $1,381 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,905 |
| Against other V6 cars | −$549 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,405 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Lincoln MKZ gives up 5.5 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 31.4 out there against 25.9 in town, a 21% drop worth $260 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 25.9 mpg | $1,483 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 31.4 mpg | $1,223 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.5 mpg (21%) | Typical for its type |
How the MKZ changed over the years
The MKZ peaked in 2012 at 29.5 mpg (29.5 city, 31 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2007 at 20 — 9.5 mpg apart, or $618 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2020 car does 28.7. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 26.7 / 32.3 | 3 | $1,338 | |
| 2019 | 26.7 / 32.3 | 3 | $1,338 | |
| 2018 | 26.7 / 32 | 3 | $1,357 | |
| 2017 | 26.7 / 32 | 3 | $1,357 | |
| 2016 | 27 / 33 | 3 | $1,324 | |
| 2015 | 27 / 32.3 | 3 | $1,324 | |
| 2014 | 26.3 / 32 | 3 | $1,338 | |
| 2013 | 26.3 / 32 | 3 | $1,338 | |
| 2012 | 29.5 / 31 | 2 | $1,302 | |
| 2011 | 29.5 / 30.5 | 2 | $1,302 | |
| 2010 | 18 / 27 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2009 | 18 / 28 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2008 | 18 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2007 | 17 / 25 | 1 | $1,920 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 32 EPA ratings of the Lincoln MKZ — 6 engines across 2007–2020. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,405. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Lincoln MKZ get?
27.8 mpg combined on average — 25.9 in the city and 31.4 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2007–2020.
How much does a Lincoln MKZ cost in fuel per year?
About $1,381 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,905 over five years, or 0.115 dollars a mile.
Which MKZ engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl Hybrid at 39.8 mpg, against 21 for the 3L 6-cyl — a difference of about $864 a year.
Is the MKZ good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world MKZ figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Lincoln MKZ is $2,405 against the $1,381 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 41 and 20 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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