This news sets a bit of a precedent. Traditionally, automakers add a premium to hybrid vehicles in order to offset the research and development costs associated with the relatively new type of powertrain. Similarly, what's standard on a hybrid model and standard on its gasoline-powered counterpart can vary by quite a bit (The New York Times' "Wheels" blog cites the Ford Fusion and Fusion hybrid as an example of this).

Not so, however, with the new MKZ: Customers have a choice between a gasoline and a hybrid powertrain, with little to no difference in cost. In this way, Lincoln hopes to bring in more customers to the showroom, and to the MKZ model specifically, without making the hybrid version a niche model.

The MKZ uses second-generation hybrid tech from Ford, which mates an I4 engine to the battery-driven motors.