The 2013 Lincoln MKZ is ready to play hardball with the 2013 Lexus ES and it's not afraid to say so. The redesigned mid-size sedan will start at $35,925 for both the gasoline model and the 2013 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. That's $175 cheaper than the 2013 Lexus ES 350 and $2,925 less than the 2013 Lexus ES 300h hybrid.

Among the standard features on the 2013 Lincoln MKZ are push-button shift, LED headlamps, 10.1-inch LCD instrument cluster, active noise control, eight-inch touch screen, remote start and a capless fuel filler. Optional features include inflatable rear seat belts, a retractable panoramic roof and multicontour seats with Active Motion, a massaging system that changes the pressure points to increase comfort on long drives.

The 2013 Lincoln MKZ will be powered by a 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine that Lincoln expects to be rated at 240 hp and get 22 city / 33 highway mpg on front-wheel-drive models. All-wheel-drive will be available as an option. The 2013 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, which starts at exactly the same price as the gasoline model, will produce 188 horsepower combined from the gasoline engine and electric motor. Fuel economy for the hybrid model has not been released.

The 2013 Lincoln MKZ arrives this fall.