Test Drive Lincoln MKZ Hybrid 2012

There's no need to sacrifice style to be earth friendly. We're taking a tech report test drive on the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid.

Aiming for Lexus drivers, the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid offers better gas mileage at over 40 miles per gallon and a roomier interior space all at a lower price tag.

The MKZ Hybrid is one of the few hybrids drivers won't feel like they're sacrificing performance for eco-friendliness.

"If you have ever driven other hybrids, you're painfully aware as you're accelerating that this is not a full gas engine," said Matthew Parsons from Galpin Lincoln.

And, unlike others in the hybrid market, the MKZ can cruise all-electric at up to 47 mph, meaning sipping less gas when it matters most.

"A lot of times, you know there's congestion on the streets, congestion on the freeway. You're below 47 a lot so you can drive on full electric most of the time," Parsons said.

The Eco translates well even inside the car; The MKZ is packed with all the tech you'd expect like heated and cooled seats, rain sensing wipers and Microsoft's Sync, which gives you lots of voice commands plus the ability to control popular apps like Pandora and Stitcher Radio right from your dash.

As an added touch, the dashboard allows drivers to upload their own pictures to put on display--picture of your kids, your wife or your family--and a digital branch gauge that grows the greener you drive.

Keeping with an "eco" theme, the Lincoln MKZ also uses wood trim comes from sustainable forests and much of the plastic used to be bottles or tires in a previous life. Even the leather inside this car is created using an eco-friendly process. Don't worry, the new car scent, still included.

Speaking of new cars, Lincoln recently announced a totally new design for the 2013 MKZ adding even more hi-tech features, but it looks like the gas mileage will take a hit.