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Blings:
- Attractive exterior
- Monastary silent Interior
- Car-like handling
- IIHS “Top Safety Pick”
Dings:
- Questionable value next to the Ford Edge
- Chintsy interior electronics and “satin nickel” are a Ford giveaway
- Heavy for a CUV
Ruling: Attractive, blinging luxury you’d never guess was made by Ford…until you get inside.
After Henry Ford acquired Henry Leland’s struggling company in 1922, Lincoln matured into the epitome of American rolling luxury and the official ride of The Chief Decider. The first car specially built for Presidential transport – a 1939 Lincoln V-12 convertible – was used by FDR for over 10 years. It was replaced by a mini-biodome-top 1950 Lincoln Cosmopolitan used by Truman, Eisenhower and Kennedy. Then came the era of the Continental, which witnessed and outlived two assassination attempts – one successful, one not. The Presidential endorsement of Lincoln lasted until 1983, when Ronny Reagan used his power as The Chief Decider to go Cadillac. But for over 40 years, Lincoln reigned supreme.
Don’t blame it on Reagan, but since the early 1980′s, the Lincoln brand has lost some of its luster. Sure, the Town Car still carries the Lincoln luxo torch, but it’s a torch that’s been in dire need of more kerosene. The now retired LS provided a hearty spark since the beginning of the new millennium, and Lincoln is now hoping models like the MKZ – and the vehicle we tested, the MKX – can get the Lincoln luxo torch ablaze once more.
Driving Impressions
After years of following the typical American recipe of ancient rear, live axle, body-on-chassis SUVs sold at an obscene profit margin, Lincoln has finally joined the popular trend of CUVs – Crossover Utility Vehicles – which employ a car-like Unibody construction and four-wheel independent suspension. Besides a few cosmetic and option package differences, the MKX is identical to Ford’s popular Edge CUV. Both offer a vastly improved ride quality, better handling and more rollover resistance than traditional SUVs. In fact, the MKX – which replaced the Explorer-based Lincoln Aviator – is different in every way, including it’s engine. Gone is the typical Lincoln V-8 powerplant. The MKX has a 3.5 Liter V-6 that pumps out a generous 265 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque. Yes, it’s a little disappointing to not hear the classic V-8 growl, but the MKX’s 24 MPG highway performance more than offsets our dismay.
Because of its Unibody construction, rather heavy 4600 pound weight and smaller V-6 engine, towing capacity on the MKX is only 3500 pounds. But the target market for a vehicle like the MKX won’t likely be concerned. On the road, the MKX handles curves with the agility of a car and has a buttery smooth 6-speed automatic transmission with all-wheel-drive to the pavement. It also features a traction control system which helps preempt rollovers by transferring wheel power.
The traction control system is also pared with a Safety Canopy System containing 6 airbags – including side curtain bags. All of these safety features on the MKX led the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to rate it a “Top Safety Pick” for good frontal, side and rear impact performance.
Build
When it comes to build quality, the MKX is a mixed bag. It’s safety record proves its worth as a well-built machine, and on the highway you can feel its quality in the ride and cabin silence. From the outside, it looks like a high-quality, luxury CUV. The glassy black paint and blinding 18 inch chrome rims give it an expensive look. But once inside, chintsyness rears its ugly head. Electronics like the door locks, steering wheel controls, gauge cluster and stereo system scream “Henry Ford is my great-grandpappy!” And the “satin nickel” – plastic accents in the cabin that masquerade as chrome – don’t do a convincing job.
Interior
Besides the electronic component and satin nickel shortcomings, the interior of the MKX is extremely comfortable. The leather seats have the perfect tush cush factor and are equipped with one of our favorite features – seat coolers. The center console is so cavernous and deep you can practically service the transmission without leaving the driver’s seat. But the luxury isn’t only reserved for front seat passengers. In the back, occupants are also treated to heated and reclining seats with copious amounts of legroom.
Ford engineers must have designed the interior at a monastary, because on the highway, it’s so quiet you can hear a monk meditate. The optional 14 speaker, 600-watt THX stereo system with Sirius breaks the nap-inducing serenity as does the moonroof that opens wider than an observatory dome. At night, the interior comes alive with tasteful LED backlighting and map lights.
And of course, one of the gimmicky highlights of the MKX is the rear power liftgate which relieves owner’s the hassle of a light arm workout. Once the gate is open, two more buttons can be pressed to automatically fold the seats. With the touch of three buttons, the hatch opens and cargo capacity more than doubles from 32 to 69 cubic feet.
Oh, and one question. No grab bars above the front doors?
Styling
On the outside, the MKX shines; literally and figuratively. The black paint serves as a rolling mirror and every chrome accent blings like the First Lady’s engagement ring. The First Lady would never wear something fake like cubic zirconium, but unfortunately the MKX’s characteristic front grille does – its faux chrome. However, it blings so hard that we’ll forgive and forget. Again, Ford engineers made great use of LEDs around the outside, and at night, the exterior glows as attractively as it does on the inside.
Value
Here is where things get a little tricky for the MKX. Base price is a touch under $36,000. As tested, with the Elite and Ultimate packages, ours came in at $43,000. Quite a hefty sum when you consider that a fully loaded Ford Edge comes in at $5,000 less. Sure, it lacks heated mirrors, cooled seats and a power liftgate (the 2008 Edge will get the gate), but even our favorite cooled seats aren’t worth that amount of expense. However, from the outside, the MKX is definitely better looking than an Edge with all the trimmings.
Who Should Buy It?
Anyone who wants a more nimble, versatile, efficient and safe option to the big, hulky SUV and doesn’t mind looking at electronics that come equipped in lower-priced Fords, as well as those who absolutely must have the bling factor.
Conclusion
It’s been a long time since The Chief Decider has graced the cush of a Lincoln, but it’s evident the brand is making efforts to regain former glory. The CUV market is extremely competitive with many great choices, and although Lincoln just rebadged the Edge and chromed it up a bit, why try to reinvent the CUV? The Edge platform has been quite successful in its first few years and Lincoln is wise to tap into that popularity. However, we only wish that Lincoln could do as good of a job convincing us that it’s not a rebadged Ford on the inside as well as it does on the outside.
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Build |
Interior |
Performance |
Handling |
Styling |
Value |
Overall |
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Rating |
3.0 |
3.5 |
3.5 |
3.0 |
4.0 |
3.0 |
3.3/C |
>> Be the first to submit a review of the Lincoln MKX
>> See all of the Lincoln MKX photos in our photo gallery
>> Video review of the MKX by Kurt and CarReview.com
>> Check out the Specs
>> www.lincolnmercury.com – Official home of Lincoln Mercury vehicles
New for 2008
After debuting for the 2008 model year, the 2008 Lincoln MKX receives a number of standard features including heated and cooled front seats, power lumbar driver and front passenger seats, easy entry driver’s seat, memory driver’s seat and side mirrors, auto-dimming driver’s side mirror, a Reverse Sensing System, Sync communications and entertainment system, THX II-certified audio system and SIRIUS Satellite Radio. A new Limited Edition is available that features a variety of colors, interior accents, chrome exterior door handles, unique badging and 20-inch chrome-clad wheels. The 20-inch wheels are also optional for the regular MKX.
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oach – some newb just got handed a nice big cup of STFU!
I bought an 07′ last year and absolutly love this CUV. The review was spot on. Thanks
I couldn’t care less that you call me a stupid ass, but the Honda guy thing really stings. Do I really look like a Honda guy to you? Is it my swagger? My sideburns? What?
You shouldn’t be so cavalier with your libel, Einstein. First off, your commentary reads like a fifth grader. Secondly, you should get your ‘facts’ straight. We pictured an ’07 and talked an ’07, with a paragraph at the bottom featuring what’s new for 2008.
Anyway, thanks for reading, and next time don’t hold back. Tell us how you really feel.
In response to the comments above.
1. Title of the article is “2007 Lincoln MKX Review”. Changes that came out with the 2008 model are listed after the review article is finished and provided as reference material. There is no claim that a 2008 MKX was reviewed.
2. Please be specific as to how we erred. We will correct any facts that were not stated properly.
3. If you can author better reviews of cars, please contact me right away. I am always recruiting new people for my review team if they have the skills to write good reviews. I would prefer a positive contribution as opposed to the criticism dished out above with no accountability.
Derek (derek@carreview.com)
Your a stupid ass. You talk an ’08, but you picture an ’07. Not only that, you don’t have your ‘facts’ straight.
But the real question that begs to be answered is why your editor allowed you to profit off this ‘review’?
Cutsey and an all about ‘me’ review is what YOU wrote. Boy, you need to go back to your Honda and let real men, judge merit’s of Auto-mobiles. Californication is not know to the real world except for it’s BLING factor.