The 2013 Lincoln MKZ oozes sex appeal from front to back, so it gives you a nice view coming and going. Let’s spill the tea on what makes this midsized Lincoln so caliente.

The MKZ is similar to the Ford Fusion but only skeletally, as the two do not share any major exterior components. The MKZ is eye-candy that you want to put your hands on immediately. The sexy is in its distinctive exterior look — split-wing grille, perky rear deck lid with a tail lamp that sweeps from side-to-side, tasteful chrome touches and a sloping roofline. If you’re going for the gold, dig for those coins and add the panoramic glass roof option to your MKZ, which adds a dose of “wha, whaa-what!” It really makes ’em look at stop lights or in supermarket parking lots. When the vast expanse of smoked glass retracts by sliding back over the rear window, some haters will need a Xanax to bring their envy levels down to manageable levels.

The MKZ’s cockpit is an inner sanctum — clean lines design-wise, a center console that cascades, an uncluttered dash. Soft touch surfaces, neat fit and finish everywhere you turn, a Lincoln interior seldomly, if evahhh, disappoints. The seats are pretty much a one-size-fits-all feel, comfy with accommodating headrests. The MKZ’s heated front seats with ten-way power and lumbar support are perfect for talls. If you’re north of six feet, however, and want to sit in the back, you might find yourself checking the pulse in your legs now and then, as the space there is rather tight. The rear headroom in the MKZ will also make a tall scrunch because of the sloping roofline.

Every MKZ comes equipped with Sync with MyLincoln Touch. The system is the brain for all that goes on with the car; functions such as the optional navigation system, for example, all appear on an eight-inch touch screen. The infotainment’s graphics are clear, and the controls are easier to operate because they are color-coded. The MyLincoln system is chock-full of Jetsons-like technology that’s pretty easy to figure out — even if you wore a dunce cap once or twice in school. One of the coolest features MyLincoln Touch is that it lets you change the color of your car’s interior ambient lighting with just a swift finger swipe. Bluetooth pairing was a breeze, which is not the case with so many of the MKZ’s competitors.

On the road, the MKZ possesses a bit of beast DNA, as it allows you to take control of the road with ferocity. Behind the wheel of the MKZ you feel its quickness, agility and performance. The MKZ’s acceleration is spirited, cornering is firm, and its braking inspires confidence.

There are three engine choices in the MKZ line: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is the base engine with 240 horsepower and 270 ft-lbs of torque. There is also an optional 3.7-liter V6 with 300 horses and 277 ft-lbs of torque. The hybrid version of the MKZ combines a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with an electric motor for 188 total horsepower.

The MKZ’s softer side is a cushy ride, as it offers controlled body motions and a church-mouse-hushed cabin experience thanks to an adaptive suspension and active noise cancelling. Our test vehicle, the 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder with optional AWD, was a real road-gripper in heavy rain, so it should give grand performances during winter’s wrath of snow and ice.

At the pumps, the MKZ offers 22 city/33 hwy, which ain’t half bad, but if you prefer not to visit your friendly neighborhood gas station so often, opt for the hybrid whose numbers are 45 city/45 hwy.

The 2013 Lincoln MKZ is everything — exciting, fun to drive, and easy on the eye, but sadly, it’s lost in the sauce. The MKZ has lots of competition, which seem to be getting more serious play out in the world. So Lincoln really has to step up its game and cast a brighter spotlight on this star.

That said, if you want to “get your life”, no matter how old you are, the 2013 Lincoln MKZ can transport you there in high style.

Pricing starts at $35,925.