After a quick scan through this article, it’s clear that there’s something missing. Not the details or impressions, each of which is well-represented. No, what’s absent is emotion.

Why? An afternoon driving the 2006 Lincoln Zephyr through New York City and along foliage-colored Connecticut back roads has a lot to do with it. Company reps say they’re going for understated elegance with this new entry. It’s in direct contrast to competitors like the angular Cadillac CTS and the once bold look of the Infiniti G35. In fact, those same Lincoln folk will state matter-of-factly that the Zephyr has been designed to offer more sport than the Lexus ES 330 (not exactly a challenge) and to be less conspicuous than the Caddy (again, failure isn’t really a possibility here). Unfortunately, the result is a car with a classy look but just ho-hum driving characteristics.

That 221-horsepower Duratec V6 provides ample power under routine driving conditions, yet it pales in comparison to more powerful engines from the competition. Furthermore, the six-speed automatic has a tendency to hunt on the slightest hill and putting the throttle to the floor can trigger a jerky downshift accompanied by a bit of torque steer. Thankfully, thick window glass and additional sound insulation do a fairly good job of muting engine noise. Indeed, the interior of the 2006 Lincoln Zephyr is a quiet place to travel. It’s a comfortable one, too. The fully-independent suspension does an admirable job of absorbing road irregularities, though the ride definitely leans more toward soft than sport. Even so, body roll is kept to a minimum at moderate speeds. Brake feel is responsive and effective, not surprising given the capable standard setup. Steering is another issue. The variably-assisted rack-and-pinion system is designed to provide light effort at slow speeds with progressively more effort required as vehicle speed increases. It’s a setup that works pretty well, though the wheel feels a bit over-boosted at highway speeds, with less road feel being the ultimate result. More steering feel at speed would be favored.

Inside, contoured front and rear seats feature generous padding, padded door and center armrests are standard, and even the window sills are padded for the occasional resting elbow. A tilt and telescoping steering wheel allows drivers to slip in and out with ease. Both front seats are power adjustable and heated; head, leg, and foot room is ample for average-sized adults. The only downside is the rear headrests – they exist only for outboard passengers and they’re fixed.