By Frank S. Washington
DETROIT, MI – During my week-long test drive of Lincoln’s 2011 MKX, I saw the two faces of the midsize crossover – luxury and utility.
The MKX sported what Lincoln calls its split-wing grille. I call it Lincoln’s butterfly face. No matter, the point of it is that grille was distinctive and it made the vehicle easily recognizable as a Lincoln.
A high fender line, wheel arches and lower rocker treatments added the appearance of heft to the MKX. In this case it worked. Size is often construed as a safety feature. LEDs illuminated redesigned tail lamps that were accented by four-inch oval exhaust tips.
I thought the MKX was quiet, handled well and seemed fairly light on its treads for a vehicle with all-wheel-drive. The equipment was impressive. My test vehicle was powered by a 3.7-liter V6 that made a respectable 305 horsepower and 280 foot-pounds of torque.
The combination gave the MKX enough power for a sporty feel, although the cold weather here during the time of my test drive prevented serious aggressive driving. I found the six-speed automatic transmission smooth and quiet. Gear shifts were barely perceptible.
The MKX had an EPA fuel rating of 17/23 in city and highway driving. That was a respectable number.
Temperatures ranged from cold to bitterly cold. I found relief in the MKX’s heated seats, passenger and driver. They were also cooled but I never even thought about it. I also put the heated steering wheel to good use.
It’s interesting how cold weather makes traffic more cumbersome. Drivers can creep into your blind spots unnoticed. I relied on the MKX’s blind spot detection system more than normal.
I also found the push button entry and exit system as well as the push button start and stop expeditious. In other words, not having to fumble with keys in cold weather was a good thing.
My test vehicle was also equipped with a rearview camera and a cross traffic warning system for backing up. When snow obscures vision particularly in parking lots, this feature can be a life saver. The system in my test car activated several times.
Satellite radio is always a treat for me. But it was so cold here that I didn’t even bother to check out the USB or iPod auxiliary jacks. My test vehicle was also equipped with the voice activated Sync system. I didn’t bother testing that either.
Other than the MKX equipment that really softened the cold weather, there was one other feature that was really put to the test during my test drive; the MKX’s all-wheel-drive system. It snowed at least 10 inches and like in most places, main streets, at least some of them, had been plowed but not most of the side streets.
The MKX’s all-wheel-drive system had the capability of sending 100 percent of its torque where needed front-wheels to rear-wheels. I found myself driving on slush filled streets and loose packed snow. There was hardly a slid or a slip or an unwanted swerve.
Ambient lighting, a panoramic (glass) roof, 20-inch chrome wheels, wood trim, voice activated navigation and a collision warning system were part of a premium package plus the MKX’s optional equipment.
The base price of my test vehicle was $40,995. Add on the premium package and the optional equipment and the sticker on my test vehicle was $50,285. That puts the MKX in the price range of most of its luxury competitors. If Lincoln can get customers to test drive the MKX, the brand’s luxury crossover can compete.
Frank S. Washington is managing partner/editor of AboutThatCar.com andAboutThatCarBlog.com.
March 27, 2011 – April 9, 2011 Edition
