Lincoln MKZ vs. Toyota Highlander
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Lincoln MKZ and Toyota Highlander contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Lincoln MKZ and the Toyota Highlander.
When we compare the Lincoln MKZ's and the Toyota Highlander's specifications and ratings, the Lincoln MKZ has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency. The Toyota Highlander has the advantage in the areas of reliability, resale value, interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Lincoln MKZ's and the Toyota Highlander's specifications and ratings, the Toyota Highlander is a better car than the Lincoln MKZ.
Pricing: A used 2020 Lincoln MKZ ranges from $17,296 to $32,998 while a used 2020 Toyota Highlander is priced between $23,996 to $38,966.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Lincoln MKZ loses 54.2 percent of its value and the Toyota Highlander loses 41.8 percent of its value. This means the Toyota Highlander retains 12.4 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Lincoln MKZ.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Lincoln MKZ is 7.8 out of 10 while the Toyota Highlander's quality rating is 8.5 out of 10. This results in the Lincoln MKZ being ranked 7 out of 24 Best Luxury Midsize Cars and the Toyota Highlander being ranked 3 out of 34 Best SUVs with 3 Rows.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Lincoln MKZ is 7.8 out of 10. For the Toyota Highlander the reliability rating is 8.1 out of 10. This gives the Toyota Highlander a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Lincoln MKZ.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Lincoln MKZ’s base engine makes 245 horsepower, and the Toyota Highlander base engine makes 295 horsepower. The MKZ is rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 512 miles. The Highlander is rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 501 miles. This gives the Lincoln MKZ the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Toyota Highlander. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Toyota Highlander, a crossover/midsize SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Lincoln MKZ, a midsize car, has the advantage in the area of front leg room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Lincoln MKZ and the Toyota Highlander have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
36750
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
63037
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
25370 - 130000
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
34600
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize SUVs)
30923
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
23675 - 36120
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
24221
Price Range:
17296 - 32998
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
40286
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
21480 - 73618
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
86
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
55905
# Good or Great Deals:
26
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
30924
Price Range:
23996 - 38966
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize SUVs)
24493
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
15956 - 37674
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
490
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
74623
# Good or Great Deals:
175
Lincoln MKZ Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.8 / 10
Reliability:
7.8 / 10
Retained Value:
7.5 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
Toyota Highlander Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.5 / 10
Reliability:
8.1 / 10
Retained Value:
8.3 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Lincoln MKZ
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
8.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
8.1
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
4.4 - 17.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.146
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Toyota Highlander
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
8.8
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize SUVs)
6.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
3.1 - 11.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.387
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.0833348459059122
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
2.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
0.6 - 32.1
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.882265635890397
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
4.3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
1.0 - 35.5
Lincoln MKZ Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
2 out of / 24Ranking
7 out of / 24Ranking
7 out of / 24Ranking
12 out of / 24Ranking
13 out of / 24Ranking
15 out of / 24Toyota Highlander Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 17Ranking
1 out of / 17Ranking
1 out of / 16Ranking
1 out of / 16Ranking
1 out of / 10Ranking
1 out of / 10Ranking
3 out of / 67Ranking
3 out of / 34Ranking
3 out of / 34Ranking
3 out of / 34Ranking
3 out of / 32Ranking
3 out of / 32Ranking
3 out of / 30Ranking
4 out of / 67Ranking
4 out of / 34Ranking
4 out of / 32Ranking
4 out of / 28Ranking
5 out of / 34Ranking
5 out of / 32Ranking
5 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 67Ranking
6 out of / 34Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
7 out of / 67Ranking
9 out of / 67Ranking
10 out of / 32Ranking
11 out of / 32Ranking
12 out of / 67Ranking
13 out of / 67Ranking
13 out of / 30Ranking
14 out of / 32Ranking
14 out of / 32Ranking
15 out of / 67Ranking
16 out of / 67Ranking
16 out of / 34Ranking
17 out of / 34Ranking
17 out of / 28Ranking
18 out of / 34Ranking
19 out of / 32Ranking
20 out of / 32Ranking
21 out of / 56Ranking
24 out of / 34Ranking
25 out of / 34Ranking
26 out of / 67Ranking
27 out of / 34Ranking
27 out of / 32Ranking
28 out of / 34Ranking
30 out of / 67Ranking
32 out of / 67Ranking
36 out of / 67Ranking
47 out of / 56Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Lincoln MKZ Trim Levels
Reserve, Standard
Toyota Highlander Trim Levels
L, LE, Limited, Platinum, XLE
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 70000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
2 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
245 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
275 foot-lbs @ 3000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.066 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
295 hp @ 6600 rpm
Torque:
263 foot-lbs @ 4700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.071 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 31 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
330 / 512 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 28 / 23
Range (city/hwy):
358 / 501 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.9 inches
Front Leg Room:
44.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.3 inches
Cargo Space:
15.4 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
96.5 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.9 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
59 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
41 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
58.7 inches
Cargo Space:
16 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
84.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
157.3 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3739 lbs
Width:
83.3 inches
Height:
58.2 inches
Length:
194.1 inches
Wheelbase:
112.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4145 lbs
Width:
76 inches
Height:
68.1 inches
Length:
194.9 inches
Wheelbase:
112.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
8 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy with painted accents
Tire Size:
P245/45R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/65R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Infinite Black
Blue
Empire Blue Tinted Clearcoat
Brown
Iced Mocha Premium Colorant
Gray
Magnetic Gray
Red
Magma Red Clearcoat / Red Carpet Tinted Clearcoat
Silver
Silver Radiance Clearcoat
White
Ceramic Pearl Tri-Coat / White Platinum Tri-Coat
Exterior Colors
Black
Midnight Black Metallic
Blue
Blueprint
Brown
Opulent Amber
Gray
Magnetic Gray Metallic
Red
Not available
Silver
Celestial Silver Metallic
White
Blizzard Pearl
Interior Colors
Black
Ebony
Brown
Cappucino
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Brown
Not available
Gray
Graphite
