The MKZ's powertrain is another highlight. The 3.5-liter V-6 delivers strong acceleration; there's plenty of power to get you up to speed quickly and effortlessly. The large-displacement V-6 also offers plenty of torque at low speeds. Acceleration is accompanied by a satisfying growl, but you can't hear the engine at all when cruising on the highway.

The sedan's six-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly, and kickdowns are easy to initiate by simply pressing harder on the gas pedal. The transmission now includes a clutchless-manual mode, which lets you control gear changes by nudging the console gear selector up and down. However, because the MKZ's automatic is good at what it does, you probably won't feel the need to override it.

The MKZ comes standard with front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is available for an extra $1,890. It'll also cost you more at the pump, as the all-wheel-drive model gets an EPA-estimated 17/24 mpg city/highway, versus 18/27 mpg for the front-wheel-drive sedan.