Lincoln MKZ Premiere, Reserve, Hybrid & More

Last updated August 4, 2026

Lincoln MKZ

The Lincoln MKZ lineup starts with the straightforward Premiere or base model, while Select adds a more traditional leather-lined luxury feel. Reserve, Reserve I, and Reserve II make up the comfort-focused gas branch, with richer materials, upgraded sound, navigation, and added convenience as their defining traits. The Hybrid branch spans simpler Premiere Hybrid and Hybrid models through Select Hybrid, the Reserve Hybrid family, and Black Label Hybrid. All center on quiet, fuel-saving driving, but cabin richness varies widely. Black Label is the top non-hybrid expression, known for Venetian leather and themed interior designs.

What each trim is known for

Lincoln MKZ Base Model

Base Model

Premierebase

The Base Model trim level, sold as Premiere and later simply as base, is the straightforward MKZ with a calm ride, a quiet cabin, and useful everyday comfort.

Best for: Drivers who want the MKZ’s core luxury character without the richer materials and added conveniences of upper trims.

Highlights

  • Adaptive suspension for a composed ride
  • Heated power front seats with driver memory
  • Strong comfort and safety focus
  • In later years, an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
14 in stock
Lincoln MKZ Mid-Level

Mid-Level

Select

The Mid-Level trim level, represented by Select, gives the MKZ a more traditional luxury feel through better materials and added cabin conveniences.

Best for: Shoppers who want leather and more everyday polish without moving to the more fully equipped Reserve trims.

Highlights

  • Leather-trimmed seats
  • Power lumbar adjustment for both front seats
  • Power steering-column adjustment with memory
  • Household-style outlet and rear USB charging

Compared with Premiere, Select adds leather seating, more front-seat adjustment, steering-column memory, additional charging points, and upgraded mirrors.

6 in stock
Lincoln MKZ Premium Comfort

Premium Comfort

ReserveReserve IReserve II

The Premium Comfort trim level includes Reserve, Reserve I, and Reserve II, the richer gas-powered MKZs built around upgraded seating, sound, navigation, and convenience.

Best for: Drivers who want a comfort-focused luxury sedan with a more fully dressed cabin and, on some versions, stronger V6 power.

Highlights

  • Bridge of Weir leather-trimmed seats
  • Touchscreen navigation
  • 14-speaker Revel audio system
  • Power moonroof and soft-close power trunk

Compared with Select, the Reserve family adds finer leather, navigation, upgraded Revel sound, a moonroof, and a soft-close power trunk. Some versions also use a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 instead of the usual turbo four-cylinder.

13 in stock
Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

Hybrid

Black Label HybridHybridHybrid ReserveHybrid Reserve IHybrid Reserve IIPremiere HybridReserve HybridSelect Hybrid

The Hybrid trim level covers Premiere Hybrid, Hybrid, Select Hybrid, the Reserve Hybrid family, and Black Label Hybrid, pairing the MKZ’s quiet personality with a fuel-saving gas-electric powertrain.

Best for: Drivers who prioritize fuel economy but still want a comfortable luxury sedan, with choices ranging from simple to richly trimmed.

Highlights

  • 188-hp 2.0-liter hybrid system with front-wheel drive
  • Adaptive suspension and quiet-driving focus
  • Up to 42 mpg city and 39 mpg highway
  • Cabin treatments ranging from straightforward comfort to Reserve and Black Label luxury

Compared with Premium Comfort, this branch changes the focus from gas-engine performance to efficiency. All versions use the 2.0-liter hybrid system, while Reserve and Black Label members layer in richer leather, navigation, upgraded audio, and added comfort features.

7 in stock
Lincoln MKZ Top Tier Luxury

Top Tier Luxury

Black Label

The Top Tier Luxury trim level, represented by Black Label, is the design-focused non-hybrid flagship with richer materials and a more tailored cabin than the regular Reserve.

Best for: Shoppers who care most about distinctive interior design, finer upholstery, and an especially polished luxury feel.

Highlights

  • Venetian leather upholstery
  • Black Label themed interior design
  • Simulated-suede headliner
  • Navigation and blind-spot monitoring

Compared with the broad Hybrid group, Black Label focuses on the non-hybrid car’s highest interior expression, using Venetian leather, themed cabin designs, a simulated-suede headliner, and distinctive Black Label detailing.

1 in stock

Trim comparison

FeatureHybridMid-LevelBase ModelPremium ComfortTop Tier Luxury
Includes
Black Label Hybrid, Hybrid, Hybrid Reserve, Hybrid Reserve I, Hybrid Reserve II, Premiere Hybrid, Reserve Hybrid, Select Hybrid7 in stock
Select6 in stock
Premiere, base14 in stock
Reserve, Reserve I, Reserve II13 in stock
Black Label1 in stock
Main identityQuiet efficiencyMaterial upgradeCore MKZ comfortRicher gas luxuryDesign-focused flagship
Recognizable trim namesHybrid familiesSelectPremiere, baseReserve familyBlack Label
Powertrain focus188-hp hybrid245-hp turbo four245-hp turbo four245-hp turbo four or 350-hp V6Non-hybrid Black Label
Upholstery characterVaries by member trimLeather-trimmedStraightforward comfortBridge of Weir leatherVenetian leather
Navigation and audioUpgraded on Reserve versionsConvenience-focused upgradeEveryday touchscreen tech in later yearsNavigation, 14-speaker RevelTouchscreen navigation
Standout comfort featureVaries from simple to massaging seatsAdded lumbar adjustmentHeated power front seatsMoonroof and soft-close trunkThemed interior materials
Fuel economy emphasis42 city / 39 highway mpgGas-powered focus20 city / 31 highway mpg18–20 city / 27–31 highway mpg by engineLuxury-focused gas model

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between the base MKZ and Reserve?

In the latest lineup, Reserve is the richer step above the base MKZ. It adds leather upholstery, navigation, a 14-speaker Revel audio system, a moonroof, parking assistance and a power trunk lid, while the base car retains the core comfort and safety features.

What's the difference between Premiere and Select?

In the 2017–2018 trim structure, Select upgrades Premiere with leather seats, added power lumbar adjustment, steering-column memory, rear USB ports, a household-style power outlet and power-folding mirrors. Both use the same standard turbo four-cylinder engine.

What does Reserve add over Select?

In the 2017–2018 lineup, Reserve moves beyond Select with richer leather, navigation, Revel audio, a moonroof and rear-window sunshade, parking assistance, and a power trunk lid. It is the more fully equipped comfort trim.

What's the difference between Reserve I and Reserve II?

In the later Reserve I and Reserve II lineup, Reserve II is the more heavily equipped version. It adds cooled and massaging front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, premium audio, a moonroof and parking assistance. Reserve I keeps the key leather, navigation and convenience upgrades.

What's the difference between Hybrid and Hybrid Reserve?

In recent years, both use the same 2.0-liter hybrid system and front-wheel drive. Hybrid Reserve adds the luxury layer: leather seats, navigation, Revel audio, a moonroof and parking assistance. The regular Hybrid keeps the powertrain with simpler cabin trim.

What's the difference between Hybrid Reserve I and Hybrid Reserve II?

In the later three-trim hybrid lineup, Hybrid Reserve II adds the comfort extras missing from Reserve I: cooled and massaging front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, premium audio, a moonroof and parking assistance. Their hybrid powertrain is the same.

How is Black Label different from Reserve?

On 2015–2018 models, Black Label emphasizes design and materials rather than a different basic type of car. It uses Venetian leather, a simulated-suede headliner, themed interior designs and distinctive exterior details for a more tailored cabin than Reserve.

What's the difference between Black Label and Black Label Hybrid?

The main difference is the powertrain. Black Label uses the gas-model formula, while Black Label Hybrid pairs the same themed interior approach and rich materials with the 188-hp 2.0-liter hybrid system and regenerative braking.

Which Lincoln MKZ trim is the sensible everyday choice?

The entry trim is the sensible choice if comfort and safety matter more than richer cabin materials. On newer cars it already includes adaptive suspension, adaptive cruise control, a driver-assist suite, heated power seats and an 8-inch touchscreen.

Which Lincoln MKZ trim should I look for if I want massaging seats?

Look for Reserve II or Hybrid Reserve II in the later lineup. These trims include heated and cooled front seats with a massage function, plus heated rear outboard seats and a heated steering wheel.

Which Lincoln MKZ trim is best suited to fuel-conscious commuting?

A Hybrid trim is the clear fit. The regular Hybrid gives you the fuel-saving 2.0-liter system with the core comfort features, while Hybrid Reserve versions add leather, upgraded audio and other cabin conveniences.

Which Lincoln MKZ trim has the twin-turbo V6?

On refreshed second-generation gas models, the stronger twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 was tied to upper trims. By the later Reserve I and Reserve II era, it was limited to Reserve II, so verify the engine rather than assuming every Reserve II has it.

Why do used Lincoln MKZ trim names vary so much?

Lincoln changed the trim ladder several times. Refreshed models used Premiere, Select, Reserve and Black Label; later cars shifted to Standard, Reserve I and Reserve II; the final lineup used base and Reserve. Hybrid versions often mirrored the gas-trim names.

Sources