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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2013 Lincoln MKS

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2014 Lincoln MKS

Overview

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2013 Lincoln MKS Review

By KBB.com Editors

KBB Expert Rating: 6.8

Although it shares the same platform with the new Taurus, Lincoln's MKS for 2013 is taking aim squarely at the best luxury cars on the market. Lincoln plans to tackle the competition by offering more advanced suspension, engine and electronic features, as well as styling that moves the MKS out of the realm of boring and overly cautious design. The Lincoln MKS is one of the few luxury makes in this price range that offers not only a choice of two V6 engines, but also front-drive (FWD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD) platforms. The MKS is endowed with a number of driver-assist features, including Lane Keeping Alert and Aid, which first alerts the driver when drifting into another lane and takes corrective action if the driver does not respond.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you're seeking traditional luxury-car size and comfort, but in a modern state-of-the-art package that will even impress your kids, the 2013 Lincoln MKS may very well be it. Whether it's the MyLincoln Touch and SYNC infotainment suite or the sophisticated continually adaptive suspension, the MKS is definitely high-tech.

You May Not Like This Car If...

While its driving characteristics should prove more than sufficient for most people, hard-core driving enthusiasts probably won't take to the MKS's front-drive platform, softer suspension and lack of an available manual transmission.

KBB Expert Ratings

Overall Rating

6.8
Driving Dynamics

6.3
Comfort & Convenience

7.7
Design: Interior & Exterior

5.5
Value

6.3
Safety

7.8

How It Ranks

#9

out of 17

MPG

#12

out of 18

Horsepower

View all rankings

Consumer Rating

9.1 out of 10

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consumer ratings

What's New for 2013

The 2013 Lincoln MKS gets a major overhaul, with new styling both in and out, a more powerful 3.7-liter V6 engine and a host of new electronic driver aids. These include Lincoln Drive Control, which changes the way the car drives and handles depending on transmission setting, and a continuously controlled damping system that constantly adapts to varying road conditions.

Driving the MKS

Driving Impressions Even with the base 3.7-liter V6 engine that makes 304 horsepower, the 2013 Lincoln MKS feels strong. The sedan's 6-speed automatic transmission is a smooth shifter, and outside noise is...

hushed thanks to an emphasis on sound-deadening in the cabin. Step up to the turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 in the EcoBoost model, and the MKS feels downright quick, its 365 horsepower planted firmly to the ground via the car's standard AWD. The MKS's new adaptive suspension vastly improves its cornering and emergency response reflexes without significantly disturbing the car's reputation for delivering a smooth and quiet ride. The steering feels more precise as well and on the stopping side, the new larger brakes are powerful and secure. Overall, the Lincoln feels fairly agile for a car of its size, even in spite of its comfort-crafted personality.

Favorite Features

ACTIVE PARK ASSIST
Does the thought of parallel parking strike fear in your heart? This optional system can help. With aid from ultrasonic sensors, Active Park Assist measures an available parking space and then does the bulk of the work to park the car.

CLIMATE-CONTROLLED SEATS
When outside temperatures are extreme, there's nothing like getting warmed or cooled from the bottom up. The 2013 Lincoln MKS comes standard with heating and cooling supplied by the front seats, while rear passengers get treated to heated seats, also standard equipment.

2013 Lincoln MKS Details

2013 Lincoln MKS Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

Compared with other cars in this luxury segment, the layout and controls of the MKS are a bit more sophisticated than most, bordering on overly complicated. Most functions can be controlled via steering-wheel control pads with information displayed on two LCD screens next to the analog speedometer (part of the MyLincoln Touch system) or through the large LCD view screen that displays audio, navigation and Bluetooth functions. Standard heated and cooling seats are a nice touch, as is the expensive and ever so soft Bridge of Weir leather seating surfaces.

Exterior

For 2013, Lincoln has given the MKS a much more expressive exterior. The design is most noticeable up front where a prominent winged grille with vertical louver-like slats fills most of the car's front-end acreage. Adaptive HID headlights and a new hood with more contours round out the major changes. As the car's smooth lines flow rearward, its shape is more modest and not as visually striking. Twin tailpipes do help give the big sedan a notion of power. EcoBoost versions receive 19-inch wheels and can further distinguish themselves with an appearance package that includes 20-inch wheels and darkened grille and headlights.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

A 2013 Lincoln MKS comes with the SYNC connectivity and communication system, the SecuriCode keyless entry keypad (some folks love it), adaptive HID headlights, 12-way power front seats, leather seating surfaces (with front-seat heating and cooling) and heated outboard rear seats, automatic high beams and automatic climate control. For a taste of sportiness, push-button start and 19-inch cast aluminum wheels also come standard. On the safety front, blind-spot monitors and Lincoln's Forward and Reverse Sensing system are also standard.

Optional Equipment

Among the upgrades you can make to the 2013 Lincoln MKS are: Active Park Assist, AWD, a navigation system with rearview camera, 20-inch wheels, an HD Radio, remote-start system, power rear sunshade, a heated steering wheel, power-adjustable pedals, multi-contour massaging front seats, adaptive cruise control, Lane Keep Assist and Alert, THX II Certified Audio with 16 speakers and a 10-inch subwoofer, and a dual-panel moonroof.

Under the Hood

The 2013 MKS offers a choice of two V6 engines. The base version is a 3.7-liter good for 304 horsepower and 279 lb-ft of torque. Models with the 3.7-liter V6 come in FWD or AWD. The second option, for EcoBoost models, is a 3.5-liter V6 with two turbochargers. This powerplant makes a robust 365 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque, and puts power to all four wheels. Proving that you can have your cake and eat it, too, the turbocharged EcoBoost engine that's mated to an AWD system has nearly the same fuel-economy ratings as the less powerful 3.7-liter engine that is in a front-drive MKS. Both engines can run on regular unleaded gasoline and are teamed to a SelectShift 6-speed automatic that can be manually shifted.

3.7-liter V6
304 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
279 lb-ft of torque @ 4,050 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/27 mpg (FWD), 18/26 mpg (AWD)

3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6
365 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
350 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/25 mpg

Pricing Notes

A base 2013 MKS with the standard V6 engine and FWD has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of around $43,500, including destination and before incentives. Adding AWD pushes the price to roughly $45,700. A top-of-the-line EcoBoost model with a turbocharged V6 and standard AWD starts just shy of $51,000. At these prices, Lincoln's 2013 MKS sedan is priced in line with the Cadillac CTS, higher than the Hyundai Genesis sedan and Acura TL, and lower than the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Audi A6 and Infiniti M37. The Lincoln offers a lot of features for the money, but its 5-year residual value is lower than its German and Japanese competitors.

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2013 Lincoln MKS Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.1

Out of 10

Based on 57 Ratings for the 2009 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

8.9/10

Quality

9.1/10
Reliability

9.3/10

Performance

9.2/10
Comfort

9.5/10

Styling

9.4/10

Good car

By JOHN on Thursday, June 06, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 2,800

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I had to replace the battery after 2200 miles. The only other complaint I have is blind spots. There seems to be a lot of blind spots,looking to the right backing out you see either the passenger head rest or the casing for the passenger seat belt. Other than that I like the car. It has very good pick up. The AWD Ecoboost is the way to go. Good gas mileage too."

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Excellent road car. Most for money.

By JoWillie (NC) on Saturday, May 18, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 6,500

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Best luxury value in USA"

Cons: "Hi-tech takes time to learn your habits."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Fully optioned MKS is best bargain on the road. Technology allows driver to customize car's personality to match any driver. "Comfort" mode is the most pleasurable ride available. Drop it into "Sport" mode to make any european jealous. It tracks like a train on rails when needed. Decent milage and butt & back massager allows more time on the road between stops. Ideal car for American luxury car driver."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Best car ever, Great Handling, Cool seats - sound

By Bear (TX) on Tuesday, April 16, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 44,500

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Very responsive, 2500 plus songs on hard drive, 14 speakers, powerful pick up and rapid breaking. AWD turns on a dime! Fun to drive. I love the adaptive cruise control, heared and cooled seats Well built. Only negative would be road noise that should be fixed with 2013 yr."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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Fastest car I ever owned.

By Stankin (MI) on Monday, April 15, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 21,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Very quite ride"

Cons: "Needs a storage compartment in console"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I love this vehicle design and performance. The Ecoboost engine is the way to go, and the Ecoboost package gives it a sportier appearance. NICE"

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Most comfortable car I have owned

By Godsgirl99 (FL) on Tuesday, March 19, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 63,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I prefer luxury cars and have owned several types including Mercedes and Cadillac. My Lincoln MKS is the most comfortable and quiet car that I have ever owned. I am hesitant to trade it for anything other than another Lincoln."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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great car to drive, turbo makes it special

By Dave (FL) on Wednesday, March 06, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 48,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"MKS with the 3.5 ltr turbo is great. Roomy, power, handles great, comfortable, sync and navigation work great, as does collision cruise...my only negative is the cup holders in the front are too small for 2 cups of coffee. Would buy this car again in a heartbeat!"

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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See all 57 reviews