The MKZ shares its powerful 3.5-liter engine with the MKX crossover utility vehicle. Its power is ample, but the engine sound and exhaust note under full throttle is harsh and not pleasing. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, but this is not the same transmission that’s in the MKX crossover. Having driven the two vehicles back to back, we decided that we like the big crossover’s transmission better. The MKZ’s six-speed was slower to react, less likely to hold gears and softer in its operation compared to the bigger sport utility, and we wish there was a way that Lincoln could engineer the MKX transmission into the MKZ sedan.