The Lincoln MKX has long been a bit of a disappointment. The interior and the performance just couldn't keep up with the competition or the image that Lincoln was trying to build. Powered by a 3.5-liter, 265-horsepower V6 and with a grille fresh off an electric Remington, the MKX was an also-ran in a highly competitive segment.
For 2011, Lincoln decided to get competitive. The 2011 Lincoln MKX has reimagined the crossover as a freight train -- and we mean that in the best way possible -- with the new winged grille. It also received the full complement of interior treatments, but that's not why we're here. More interestingly, Lincoln got serious with the powertrain, replacing the 3.5 with a 3.7-liter V6 cranking out 305 hp and 280 pound-feet of torque. And while faster is better, the last time we tested a Lincoln MKX -- in 2007 -- the Lincoln came down from 60 mph in a startling 146 feet. With more power, we hoped this one would have braking under control, too.
Vehicle: 2011 Lincoln MKX
Odometer: 3,805
Date: 1/25/10
Driver: Chris Walton
Price: $50,665
Specifications:
Drive Type: Front-engine, All-wheel drive
Transmission Type: Six-speed automatic
Engine Type: 3.7-liter V6
Displacement (cc/cu-in): 3,726/227
Redline (rpm): 7,000
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 305 @ 6,500
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 280 @ 4,000
Brake Type (front): Disc with two-piston sliding caliper
Brake Type (rear): Disc with single-piston sliding caliper
Steering System: Hydraulic-assist rack-and-pinion
Suspension Type (front): MacPherson Strut, stabilizer bar
Suspension Type (rear): Independent, stabilizer bar
Tire Size (front): P245/50R20 102H M+S
Tire Size (rear): P245/50R20 102H M+S
Tire Brand: Pirelli
Tire Model: Scorpion STR A
Tire Type: All -season
Wheel size: 20-by-8 inches front and rear
Wheel material (front/rear): Aluminum
As tested Curb Weight (lb): 4,508
Test Results:
Acceleration
0-30 (sec): 2.7 (2.8 w/TC on)
0-45 (sec): 4.7 (4.7 w/TC on)
0-60 (sec): 7.3 (7.3 w/TC on)
0-75 (sec): 10.7 (10.9 w/TC on)
1/4-Mile (sec @ mph): 15.3 @ 91.4 (15.4 @ 91.2 w/TC on)
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 7.0 (7.0 w/TC on)
Braking
30-0 (ft): 33
60-0 (ft): 133
Handling
Slalom (mph): 60.4 (60.2 w/TC on)
Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): 0.74 (0.73 w/TC on)
Sound
Db @ Idle: 43.8
Db @ Full Throttle: 74.6
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 62.9
Comments
Acceleration: Not much for me to do. Pedal overlap does nothing to improve times dramatically. Also, no advantage to turning off traction control. Engine sounds sporty, not thrashy. Despite manual shift available, it still auto upshifts. Upshifts are smooth, moderately fast. No matched rev-downshift in manual.
Braking: After a little pedal travel, brakes jump in pretty abruptly. Pedal isn't hard or soft -- just right. Good fade resistance and consistency (especially for a 4,500-pound vehicle.) Last stop had a little directional wander.
Handling: Nondefeat stability control -- defeatable traction control. Steering weight appropriate and grip feels higher than numbers indicate. ESC is holding it back only slightly as it cuts throttle right before understeer begins. Interesting that jumping out of throttle allows the MKX to oversteer quite a lot.
Good turn-in and trustworthy initial grip/bite. ESC punishes quick steering input, so being smooth was key. Slow-in/fast-out proved best with slight ESC at exit. Good body control, good steering precision, though not much feel.
mustang5507 says:
09:59 PM, 02/ 8/11
It looked good around the slalom...looked like the steering was crisp, and the suspension was tight. The fact that this looks better than the RX inside and out, and the SRX on the outside helps too.
The sad thing is I've seen a few new Edges around town....they're rather good looking vehicles too. Is this really worth the extra money? Lincoln has still got some further differentiation to do. GM got it right, as the SRX looks nothing like an Equinox or Terrain to me. Ford needs to get creative with Lincoln past the A-pillar.
wrinklebump says:
10:03 PM, 02/ 8/11
Flex Titanium plz
cz_75 says:
02:19 AM, 02/ 9/11
Jesus, what an ugly turd. Ford needs to finish off Lincoln if this is their styling direction - nothing but uglier versions of Fords.
hotrodw says:
05:25 AM, 02/ 9/11
With the exception of the grille, I like the MKX. But I too see little reason to choose the Lincoln over the Edge. There is one important exception: If you want the more potent 3.7 V6. In the Edge, you need to get the Sport Package with the ridiculous 22" wheels (although they do look good). All MKX's have the stronger engine.
frank908 says:
05:32 AM, 02/ 9/11
$50,665!!!???
arumage says:
07:45 AM, 02/ 9/11
@frank908:
A fully loaded Lexus RX350 is also $50k. An Acura MDX is too although it has 2 extra seats.
lions208487 says:
08:32 AM, 02/ 9/11
An RX is just as costly at 50,375 (priced to match), and the MDX still has a slight edge( no pun instended) due to the extra seats. Overall Ford made a really solid vehicle, but the Edge Sport still seems like the better buy.
I give props for IL presenting this article like it should... more facts and less biased opinion.
jctolle says:
08:55 AM, 02/ 9/11
A FULLY loaded Audi Q5 3.2 is only $50,575. No wonder they're so hard to find right now - they get snapped up as fast as Audi can build them!
arumage says:
09:49 AM, 02/ 9/11
@jctolle:
A fully loaded Q5 is actually $58k. The 3.2L Q5 is also smaller, less powerful, and less fuel efficient than the MKX or RX350. Audi has sold about 10% more of them than Lincoln though.
myob says:
09:52 AM, 02/ 9/11
sounds like you'd have to be very very brand loyal to choose this Lincoln. Ford's own (well formerly) Volvo XC60 T6 beats it on the track quite handily, looks nicer inside and out (especially R design mode), and costs less. And they give you a 5/year warranty with full maintenance and wear/tear coverage. Lincoln gives you a service bay at your local Ford dealer. I like Ford trucks. The new Focus seems interesting. Mustangs are affordable power and handling now. But this?
arumage says:
11:29 AM, 02/ 9/11
The XC60 is about $3-4k more expensive when similarly equipped.
Looks like the XC60's figures are slightly better in every way, but I think that'll matter very little to buyers in this segment as both are more than adequate.
kevm14 says:
12:21 PM, 02/11/11
That thing is so friggen ugly. Is Lincoln competing with Acura for ugliness? In all seriousness, I think they are.
500rwhp says:
07:18 AM, 02/13/11
Same price as a Mercedes ML class, but ugly and with less cachet.
Ford needs to fire everybody at Lincoln who touched this.
Actually, they need to fire the entire design staff at Lincoln. To think they got rid of decent brands but kept the corporate pig.
274sgt says:
04:03 PM, 02/14/11
okay the grill is a little big, but i love the design overall. and the interior murders the rx, and other vehicles in the class.
ant14 says:
05:00 AM, 02/16/11
They obviously addressed all the concerned of the previous version, and added more technology into it as well. I think the $50K was a bit much but I priced out the competition and it's actually a bit less than most, and you get many more gadgets not even offered on other vehicles of it's class. The SRX debuted around the same time and that seems to be the sales leader (considering how many I see on rental lots), and it's self destructable 2.8L has been dropped for the 3.6L which should have been the first thing to do from the beginning. At least the Edge/MKX will have reliability going for it.