2011 Lincoln MKX

SYNC
You've got to love the Ford Group's SYNC technology. Not only is it fun to use, it pretty much negates the peril of manually interacting with your multimedia while you're caught up in the act of driving. Despite having the shortcomings in recognition (with which all speech systems are plagued), the SYNC now recognizes more than 10,000 commands.

All-wheel drive
For less than $2,000, you can opt for the all-wheel-drive MKX over the front-driver and instantly supersize your overall driving experience. It's true that the AWD likely will not net the fuel economy figures of the front-drive version under similar conditions, but we're willing to sacrifice a little bit of gas for a more engaging go behind the wheel.

We feel the interior quality represents and night-and-day difference over its predecessor. The center stack, stitched center console, and new wrapped and stitched instrument panel in particular convey a recognizable sense of style. The instrument cluster incorporates two full-color LCD screens, the left containing information such as the trip odometer, average fuel economy, and selected vehicle settings, the right allowing users to interface with the multimedia technology.

The styling of the 2011 Lincoln MKX, particularly the front, could be deemed somewhat controversial. But of course that's all open to subjective debate. Lincoln itself points out the extreme attention to detail, in the head- and tail lamps for example, with a "floating chrome bezel" and available adaptive HIDs fore, and an "indirect LED system" in the rear that hides the light source while still allowing the intensity to shine through. Lincoln also points to the new 18-inch (standard) and 20-inch (optional) wheels as pointed elements of the car's overall design.

The 2011 Lincoln MKX is available with just one powerplant, but it's a good one: a 3.7-liter V6 that produces 305 peak horsepower – 40 more than the outgoing product, as well as fuel economy that has increased by one mile per gallon in each category: city, highway, and combined. This is largely due to the introduction of Ti-VCT variable camshaft timing technology. Both the claimed power output and fuel economy figures put this engine in at the top of the class in its segment. In both the FWD and AWD models, the V6 is linked to a six-speed Selectshift automatic transmission.

3.7-liter V6
305 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
280 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/26 (FWD), 17/23 (AWD)

The base front-wheel-drive 2011 Lincoln MKX starts at a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of just under $40,000. The all-wheel drive version rings in at a relative hair more, closer to $42,000. This puts the MKX at a marked advantage against its European competition, like the $47,000 Mercedes-Benz ML350. At $39,000 base, the Lexus RX 350 might be its strongest price-point competition – but with significantly less power (275 hp). That said, it should be pointed out that the MKX is also priced at a disadvantage to competition in its own corporate fold, like the Ford Edge, which starts under $28,000 and tops out close to $38,000. To see what the MKX is currently selling for in your area, be sure to check the Fair Purchase Price on kbb.com. When it comes to residuals, the MKX sees average resale values, performing on par with the Edge but below the ML350 and RX 350.

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