By contributing editor David Colman

Hits:

• Impressive power from EcoBoost V6 engine
• Heavy hauler will tow 4,500 lbs.
• Twin sunroof adds to spaciousness

Misses:

• Poor rear vision
• Annoying center console lid design
• Shortage of storage compartments

The Lincoln MKT makes optimal use of Ford’s sweet EcoBoost motor which is twin-turbocharged to produce 355 hp from just 3.5 liter of V6 displacement. This relatively small and efficient engine, also used in Ford’s Flex, returns good gas mileage figures (16 city/21 highway) considering its bus-like application in this spacious (6 or 7 passenger), heavy (4,680 pound) people mover. If you opt for the standard seating package of two front buckets and two rows of benches, you’ll be able to squeeze seven aboard, with just a footlocker at the back for belongings. The MKT provides a convenient power assist for opening the rear hatchback either via the key fob remote or a switch located under the dash. Unfortunately, there is no source of power provided to slam the hatch closed other than your own wrist.

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By Gary Chan

Pros:

• Finding POI’s was nice and simple
• Setting and customization of personal preferences
• Ability to make changes to settings via steering wheel mounted buttons

Cons:

• Lag while system processes voice command
• 8-inch touch screen not very touch sensitive
• Entering navigation destinations by voice or touch … ugh!

What do an 8” LCD touch screen on the center stack, two customizable LCD screens, media integration and connectivity (USB, RCA video), and the ability to turn the vehicle into a local area network for your passengers using a wireless USB modem all have in common? They are all components of MyLincoln Touch technology.

Based upon the new MyFord Touch technology unveiled last year, MyLincoln Touch is now available on the 2011 Lincoln MKX and will become standard equipment across the Lincoln lineup. We recently received an MKX for testing and I decided to put the MyLincoln Touch technology to the test to see if it really did enhance my driving experience. Integrated voice control of music, phone, climate, and navigation in a luxury SUV — it doesn’t get much better than this, or does it?

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By Peter N.

Pros:

• V6 engine that performs like a V8
• All-wheel drive delivers acceleration and confidence
• Advanced technology for the latest bells and whistles

Cons:

• Restricted visibility
• Some advanced technology was awkward and/or confusing

For this review, I had the unusual pleasure of testing a 2011 Lincoln MKT AWD on a snowy weekend trip up to Tahoe. What better way to test the cruising capabilities, the all-wheel drive for stability, and hauling capacity to pack a family for a ski vacation?

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Lincoln MKX Consumer Reviews	Lincoln MKX Overview	2011 Lincoln MKX Photo Gallery	2011 Lincoln MKX Specs

By contributing editor David Colman

Hits:

• Luxuriant and well put together
• Heated front and rear seats and steering wheel
• Panorama dual sunroof

Misses:

• Distracting Disneyland dash
• Useless up/downshift button on gear selector stick
• Needs to lose some of its 4,251 pound curb weight

If you’re looking for a mid-size crossover SUV for less than $50,000, then you’ll want to consider Lincoln’s newly empowered MKX. Last year, the 4,251 pound Lincoln depended on a modest 3.5 liter V6 to produce 265hp and 250 lb-ft of torque. This year, Lincoln has upped displacement of the V6 by 200cc. The enlarged engine now makes 305hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, a 15 percent increase that improves performance and pulling power. The 2011 MKX steps out smartly when asked to accelerate, yet despite the bonus power, the new MKX gets better gas mileage than its predecessor (19/26MPG versus 17/23MPG).

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Lincoln MKZ Hybrid Consumer Reviews	Lincoln MKZ Overview	2011 Lincoln MKZ Photo Gallery	2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid Specs

Pros:

• Same price as MKZ with V6 gas engine
• SYNC® In-car Connectivity System is standard
• Better fuel economy than the Lexus HS 250h

Cons:

• Interior of base trim model not much improvement over Ford Fusion
• Utterly uninspiring econo-drone in the cockpit when accelerating hard

Gas prices have been as volatile as the speculative housing market and experts assure us both will be rebounding, though nobody knows exactly when. Investing in the market now, though it might seem counter-intuitive, could set you up for a handsome reward in the future. The same goes for buying a new fuel-efficient automobile. If you purchase a hybrid vehicle today, when demand for fuel-sippers is relatively modest, you’ll probably end up getting a better deal on the car and you’re also insulating yourself from future spikes in gasoline prices. Think of it as an automotive tax shelter, but without the sleazy real estate agents and enormous subprime mortgage scandals. For those looking to buy a luxury sedan with the exceptional fuel economy of a hybrid, the MKZ Hybrid is a logical choice.

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Lincoln MKS Consumer Reviews	Lincoln MKS More Expert Reviews	2010 Lincoln MKS Photo Gallery	2010 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost AWD Specs

By Alex Kramer

Pros:

• Impressive 355 hp turbocharged engine
• All-wheel drive provides wet weather confidence
• Smooth, comfortable ride
• Roomy, well-appointed interior
• Active Park Assist really works

Cons:

• Strangely designed paddle shifters
• A bit soft in the corners
• Decent fuel efficiency, but not quite eco-friendly
• Exterior design lacks flair

My pappy said, “Son, you’re gonna’ drive me to drinkin’
If you don’t stop drivin’ that Hot Rod Lincoln”

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By Twain Mein

Pros:

• Very quite and well-damped ride
• Beautifully appointed interior
• Massive dual-panel panoramic sunroof
• Incredible THX-certified sound system
• Exterior styling

Cons:

• Visibility
• iPhone syncing
• 3^rd row leg room and overhead space
• Exterior styling (!)

Introduction

The 2010 Lincoln MKT is Ford’s up-scale version of the Ford Flex “crossover”. Crossover is taking a traditional car platform and extending it to give the space of an SUV. Many SUV’s, like the Chevy Tahoe, are built on truck chassis (“body on frame”) versus a car chassis (“unibody” construction where the body is structural). By enlarging a car unibody, crossovers promise the space of an SUV with ride and handling of a traditional car. The Lincoln is built on the same D4 platform as the Ford Flex, and it distinguishes itself with aggressive styling and luxurious amenities. The D4 platform is a “stretched” version of the D3 platform which originally underpinned the ’03 Volvo XC90 as well as the Ford Taurus. These Swedish genetics are good assets for Ford/Lincoln which provide a rigid structure and competent chassis. The version we tested had the base 3.7 liter, 270 hp Duratec engine and was optioned for a ~$49,000 price tag.

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Son, you’re gonna drive me to drinkin’, if ya don’t stop drivin’ that hot rod Lincoln. Yeah, way back when, Lincolns were not cars to be trifled with. They had big enough plants and there was enough go fast goodies out there that you wouldn’t treat them the way … well, the way you’d look at a Lincoln today.

Sure, for the past however long, they’ve been very nice and luxurious Fords, but performance cars? Not so much. Lincoln is looking to change that with three customized rides rolling out at this years SEMA show.

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By Derek Mau

Pros

• 355 hp EcoBoost engine with a power band wider than the Grand Canyon
• Active Park Assist feature that works 10x better than Toyota/Lexus
• More standard luxury features than its closest competitors
• A ride quieter than Tibetan Buddhist Monastery
• No longer using switches and knobs from the Ford-Mercury parts bin

Cons

• Oversize split-bow grill is more ugly than intimidating
• Supposed to be smaller than a Navigator, but still really large

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The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, also known as the IIHS has just given its highest safety rating to three new model rides: The Dodge Journey, Lincoln MKT and Mazda Mazda3. All three of the cars got top marks in the front, side and rear impact tests and all three featured standard stability control.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said in a statement that “Criteria to win are tough because the award is intended to drive continued safety improvements.”

Only the Dodge received the IIHS’ top marks in every single category whereas the Lincoln and Mazda received “Acceptable” ratings in other categories. The Insurance Institute said that the Lincoln and Mazda’s overall evaluations were robust enough to receive the “Top Safety Pick” award.

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