The 2017 Lincoln MKZ has earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, thanks in part to modifications to its front-end structure that boosted its small overlap front rating.
As you may already know, the small overlap front test is a frontal collision test where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end is involved. The MKZ, just like the Ford Fusion (with which it shares its platform), is also available with an optional front crash prevention system that helped it earn the superior safety award.
During IIHS tests, the MKZ managed to avoid collisions at 12 mph (19 km/h) and 25 mph (40 km/h), while its forward collision warning component also met NHTSA criteria.
For 2017, the MKZ is available with loads of driver-assist technologies. Keeping an eye out always is its Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection – a system that uses cameras and radar technology to monitor the vehicle’s proximity to other cars and pedestrians. If a potential collision is detected, the driver will be alerted via visible and audible warnings, before the car will take any sort of preventive measures.
Other helpful active safety systems available on the 2017 MKZ are the lane keeping system, which can apply steering wheel torque and alert the driver should sensors detect that the car is drifting out of its lane, as well as BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) with cross-traffic alert.
BLIS uses radar sensors to alert drivers if any vehicles are detected in their MKZ’s blind spots, whereas cross-traffic alert works by detecting vehicles approaching from either side when the vehicle is backing up, notifying the driver with a warning light and an audible tone.
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