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2011 Lincoln MKX

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 Lincoln MKX

Overview

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2011 Lincoln MKX Review

By KBB.com Editors

KBB Expert Rating: 5.9

Lincoln's MKX enters the market in a rapidly expanding segment – the luxury crossover, a decidedly gray area on today's automotive landscape. Therefore, it will have plenty of competition to deal with both in and out of segment, from cheaper and equally accommodating offerings from parent company Ford (the Edge) to high-end European examples (Mercedes-Benz ML) to a new breed of what might be termed "crossover crossovers," that is, crossovers mated with traditional mid-size sedan platforms, like the Honda Accord Crosstour, Toyota Venza, or at the upper end, BMW 5 Series GT. The 2011 MKX will be offered in two iterations: the basic front-wheel drive (FWD) platform, or an all-wheel drive (AWD) model for about $2,000 more.

You'll Like This Car If...

You may like the 2011 Lincoln MKX if you like to balance luxury and an impressive range of standard equipment with a reasonable price point. Even a standard MKX comes loaded with both convenience and safety features, like the MyLincoln Touch multimedia interface, or Lincoln's Personal Safety System, with dual-stage front airbags and front safety belt pretensioners, and the Safety Canopy System with rollover-sensing capability and side curtain airbags.

You May Not Like This Car If...

You may not like the MKX if you expect to fly completely under the radar. The MKX's styling is nothing if not in your face, with a battering ram front fascia and a whole lot of chrome. Depending on your view, all of that could be good or bad.

What's New for 2011

Lincoln claims the MKX enters its segment with both class-leading power output and fuel economy from its 305 horsepower, 3.7-liter V6, which returns 19/26 mpg (city/hwy) on the FWD model, and 17/23 when equipped with all-wheel drive. The 2011 MKX also offers a range of posh standard equipment, including the extremely cool MyLincoln Touch user interface.

Driving the MKX

Driving Impressions One thing we'd definitely do: Pass over the FWD for the AWD platform. Given the goodly output from the 305-hp V6 (with a not-insignificant 280 lb-ft of peak torque), you...

can expect perceptible torque steer from the front-drive model under spirited acceleration. On the topic of get-up and go, there's more than enough, thanks not only to the significant bump in horsepower (40) over the 2010 car, but also to the six-speed automatic transmission. Finally, and not that the typical crossover-crossover buyer will be looking for it, but either model comes with a satisfying growl when the gas pedal is depressed and the big six is put to use.

Favorite Features

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.

2011 Lincoln MKX Details

Interior

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.

Exterior

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.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

For the base price, whether you go FWD or AWD, the 2011 Lincoln MKX comes with a wide range of standard equipment. At the top of the list is the voice-controlled SYNC technology – which allows the user to control the radio, MP3 player, navigation system (note that nav is an available option), or the climate control systems – and the touch-sensitive MyLincoln Touch interface. The MKX also includes niceties like heated and cooled seats that, once you use on a particularly cold morning or hot afternoon, you'll never know how you got along without them.

Optional Equipment

Although we often feel premium vehicles such as this should come with this option standard – yet most don't – the MKX is available with "intelligent access," which allows you to lock and unlock the car by touch, and start and stop the engine with a single button. There is also the optional all-wheel drive for an $1,850 premium that enhances the driving experience through improved grip on the road surface.

Under the Hood

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)

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2011 Lincoln MKX Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.3

Out of 10

Based on 162 Ratings for the 2007 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

9.3/10

Quality

9.4/10
Reliability

9.6/10

Performance

9.3/10
Comfort

9.5/10

Styling

9.6/10

GREAT CAR!!!!!!!!!!

By waterdog1228 (WI) on Wednesday, July 31, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 123,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

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

Pros: "drives great, runs flawless even in bad weather"

Cons: "Mine didn't have a rear view camera, just sensors"

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

"I bought this car NEW because I needed it, not wanted it. I traded in a sports sedan for it due to a 12 year old son in all the sports and his dog. THIS IS THE FIRST CAR THAT I HAVE EVER OWNED THAT I LIKE MORE AFTER 123,000 THAN whe I bought it. I am going back for the new Lincoln MKC next year!"

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VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION

By ANXIOUS (MO) on Wednesday, July 31, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 38,000

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

"THIS VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT. HAS A VERY LOW MILAGE, LESS THAT 38,000."

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I LOVE my Lincoln MKX!!!!

By Princess Tay (PA) on Wednesday, July 17, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 62,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: Not Rated
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Fun to drive, nice looking"

Cons: "No cons!!"

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

"I absolutely LOVE this car!!!!! It was my first car and it's amazing. Been through a lot and it still runs like it was brand new. The ride is so smooth, the sound is perfect quality and sounds like you put your own system into it. The seats are extremely comfortable and I love the heated and cooled seats. It cools and heats so fast and defrosts extremely fast. I love how it looks and the lights on it. The lights that hug the bends are very nice as well. If you were to purchase this car, you would absolutely love it like I do!!!!!!!"

1 person out of 2 found this review helpful

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Amazing CUV, Totally pleased with purchase

By Teaselfarm (NY) on Friday, July 05, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 22,000

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

Pros: "Comfort, quietness, mileage, quality & reliablity"

Cons: "No cons to date"

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

"In the past we've owned Jeep products and felt that the Jeep line has suffered since 2005, so last year I purchased an F150 ecoboost and totally am in love with the truck, amazing torque for towing. On the otherhand, my wife really missed the concept of having an SUV for our snowbelt winters in upstate NY (when I refer to upstate, I mean upstate, northern Onondaga and Oswego counties, not Westchester Co.). Well, last fall we rented a Ford Edge when we went on vacation to Jackson, Wy to spend time in two of the greatest national parks... The Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. We liked the Edge so much that when we got home we started to shopping around and came the quick conclusion that we liked the MKX even more!! We came across a Certified Use MKX with a premium package and moonroof that we couldn't past on and have totally enjoyed this vehicle. It's got great acceleration (we also drive a 2005 Mustang GT ragtop, so I know what great acceleration feels like) and pretty darn good gas mileage (far better than the Jeep's I've owned in the past). It's comfortable and quiet as well. By the way, this vehicle replaced our 2008 Mercury Milan Premier, another great car by Ford Motor Corp that we had a hard time parting with because it served us well and owed us nothing.....oh god, I just realized that I've become a Lincoln/Mercury/Ford junky!! But in all seriousness, the MKX is one great Crossover Utility Vehicle!!"

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Pure Luxury

By Vision (FL) on Friday, May 31, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 1,000

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: 9/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Excellent value for a luxury SUV - Tons of room!"

Cons: "None I can think of"

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

"Love this SUV - has everything you need! Total luxury with all the technology. Heads turn every where I go - very sharp looking vehicle."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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Reliable, comfortable, great on gas

By Betty (TX) on Thursday, May 30, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 60,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

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

Pros: "Luxury car with out the high price"

Cons: "Not set up for newer electronic technology"

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

"I love my Lincoln MKX. I enjoy the look of the car, luxury car without the high price of other luxury car models. It has been very reliable - low maintenance so far. It's comfortable and I run around a lot and it's been good on gas. I would highly recommend this car."

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See all 162 reviews