USA - The 2017 Lincoln MKZ has been awarded the Top Safety Pick+ Award from the IIHS.

The 2017 Lincoln MKZ has earned the highest safety award issued by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety – due in part to its front crash prevention system.

To earn the agency’s Top Safety Pick+ award, a vehicle must have superior ratings in its small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, and roof strength and head restraint tests. 

It also must have an available front crash prevention system that earns an advanced or superior rating. Lincoln MKZ is available with an optional front crash prevention system that earns a superior rating.

Also helping Lincoln MKZ earn a Top Safety Pick+ are modifications to its front-end structure that boost the vehicle’s small overlap front rating and front crash prevention system. The small overlap front test represents a frontal crash in which only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end is involved.

In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety track tests, MKZ avoided collisions at 12 mph and 25 mph. The car also has a forward collision warning component that meets National Highway Traffic Safety Administration criteria.

The 2017 Lincoln MKZ also is available with a suite of intuitive, driver-assist technologies. Its Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection uses camera and radar technology to monitor the vehicle’s proximity to other vehicles and pedestrians. If a potential collision is detected, the system can alert the driver with visible and audible warnings and, if needed, pre-charge the brakes and increase brake sensitivity to help provide full responsiveness.

The lane-keeping system uses a forward-facing camera to detect lane markings. It can apply steering wheel torque and alert the driver with a steering wheel vibration should sensors detect drifting.

Finally, BLIS^® (Blind Spot Information System) with cross-traffic alert uses radar sensors to alert drivers with lights in their sideview mirrors if another vehicle is detected in Lincoln MKZ’s blind spots. When drivers are backing up, the system can detect a vehicle approaching from either side, notifying drivers with a warning light and an audible tone.