DETROIT -- The 2013 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid will boast the highest fuel economy of any luxury vehicle in the U.S. market, without a price premium over the non-hybrid version, Ford Motor Co. said today.
The MKZ Hybrid's ratings top those of the Lexus ES 300h by 5 mpg city and 6 mpg highway and those of the Infiniti M35h by 18 mpg city and 13 mpg highway.
The MKZ Hybrid fuel ratings also surpass those of the smaller Lexus CT 200h by 2 mpg city and 5 mpg highway.
The MKZ Hybrid, which is EPA-rated at 45 mpg in city driving as well as on the highway, will cost $36,800, including shipping.
Ford is breaking with standard practice by offering the hybrid version at the same price as the gasoline-powered sibling.
For example, the 2013 Lexus ES 300h is priced at $38,850, which makes the hybrid sedan's sticker $2,750 more than that of its gasoline sibling, the 2013 Lexus ES 350.
Lincoln used a similar pricing strategy on the most recent MKZ Hybrid.