Lincoln MKX: Lush and powerful

Posted Thursday, January 17, 2008

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Extreme luxury. Crossover vehicle. Separately, they mean little. Together they provide a lush interior with a powerful exterior.

Thoughts of a traditional Lincoln sedan usually imply a large vehicle, geared to the over-60 crowd. The Lincoln MKX, however, is one that could appeal to a larger segment of the population.

The deep, rich leather seats seem to conform to the occupant’s body shape. The seat styling includes contrast piping along the edges as well as the Lincoln logo on the front of the large oversized headrests.

Exterior noise is minimal, with the only obvious sound during acceleration. Acceleration is quick, what some will remember as “really good pickup.” One interesting feature of the dash gauges is the digital display that calculates current, real-time miles per gallon. The vehicle handles well, taking corners with ease. Great care was taken when Ford designed the suspension. The road is barely felt.

The dashboard layout is within easy reach of the driver. Equipped with the THX II-certified audio system, it features Sirius satellite radio, MP3 capability, six-disc CD changer and Sync, from Microsoft with a convenient touch screen. It also recognizes voice commands and can be combined with a Blue Tooth-capable cell phone.

Some features also can be accessed through the small buttons on the steering wheel. The dual climate controls and heated front seats ensure that both driver and front passenger are riding in comfort.

Up above it all is the all-glass Vista roof. It’s great for views of the stars on a clear night and the warmth of the sun during the cooler months. The Vista roof also is equipped with sunshades for the blaring rays of summer. One dealer-installed option available with the Vista roof is a Headrest DVD entertainment system.

The Lincoln MKX has a Safety Canopy system that incorporates dual-stage front airbags, front seat side airbags, and side-curtain airbags. Other important safety features include AdvanceTrac roll stability control, antilock brake system, traction control and yaw control.

With assistance from Bob Broeker at Imlay City Ford Lincoln Mercury, the test drive answered several questions.

Would a luxury vehicle perform well in the snow, providing traction control without giving up style?

The answer is yes.

The Lincoln MKX seats five comfortably, yet with a quick flip of a switch in the cargo area, you can tote large bulky items around without effort.

My favorite part of this road test was the quiet smooth ride. The least favorite? Not enough cup holders.

And while the list price may be a bit steep for the average consumer, it’s at the top of my list if I win the lottery. — Kathy Krzystowczyk