Preview: Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr

The top player in the trio is the Zephyr, which competes in the entry-level luxury segment. There is one trim level, with six options, for Zephyr. It’s priced at $29,995, and fully loaded is just over $35,000. The Zephyr and Milan share no exterior body panels, with the Zephyr’s having a lower, wider stance and more steeply raked A- and C-pillars. The Zephyr gets LED taillights as well as other features not available on Fusion or Milan, such as: optional High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps, 10-way power seats for the driver and front passenger, premium leather seating, optional cooled seats, dual-zone climate control system, two-setting mirror/seat memory function for the driver’s position, THX II Certified audio system, and a navigation system. The wheels and tires are standard 17s, while Fusion and Milan get 16s with 17s as an option. The Zephyr also is unique because it gets a noise/vibration/harshness-reducing package that includes extra sound deadening materials and thicker front door glass. The Lincoln’s suspension and steering also have been modified to give the vehicle a more luxury ride but without sacrificing handling. The Zephyr comes with a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty plus 12-months/12,000 miles free maintenance.