Overview & Reviews

The Lincoln MKX offers contemporary styling and a modern interior that moves the brand forward from its previous retro-obsessed past. Its lack of a third row seat makes it a little less family-friendly than some other sport-utilities in its segment, but its single-row backseat is nevertheless quite spacious. Earlier MKXs came up short in terms of power and refinement, but the latest MKX boasts a strong 3.7-liter V6 engine and a cabin that can actually hold its own with other luxury brands in terms of both quality and design.

Ultimately, however, the Lincoln MKX is yet another choice in the crowded luxury crossover SUV market. Though shoppers are likely to find the MKX's combination of clean, elegant styling, available high-end amenities and reasonable price appealing, we'd suggest also checking out its many sport-utility competitors, as several offer a more refined driving experience, added versatility and greater differentiation from non-luxury models.

Current Lincoln MKX
The Lincoln MKX is a luxury midsize crossover SUV that seats five people. Like other current Lincoln products, the MKX bears a heavy mechanical relation to a Ford product: in this case, the Ford Edge. Lincoln differentiates its version mostly through a signature Lincoln grille, a different taillight design, additional feature content and a more luxurious interior (though the design is similar).

Under the hood is a 3.7-liter V6 good for 305 horsepower. A six-speed automatic is standard, while front-wheel- and all-wheel drive are available. There is a single MKX trim level, which is chock-full of standard equipment that's typically optional on other luxury crossovers. This includes keyless ignition/entry, rear parking sensors, a power tailgate, heated and ventilated front seats and driver memory functions. MyLincoln Touch and the Sync phone and audio device interface are features unique to Lincoln and are certainly selling points.

In terms of practicality, the MKX offers plenty of space -- particularly in back, where three people can fit comfortably. This is one area in which the MKX beats out smaller luxury crossover models. The MKX's 3.7-liter V6 is smooth and furnishes brisk acceleration, though the transmission can sometimes be reluctant to downshift. The ride quality is comfortable, though opting for the 20-inch wheels brings about some added harshness that might not fit with your expectations of a Lincoln. At highway speeds, the MKX's cabin is notably quiet.

Overall, we're impressed by the MKX's feature content, ride quality, quiet interior and attractive design. But buyers should be aware that there are several similarly priced crossovers of various different sizes that are highly recommended. Saving some money and looking at a loaded Edge is also a pretty good idea.

Used Lincoln MKX models
The Lincoln MKX luxury crossover debuted as an all-new vehicle in 2007. The first-year model suffered from poor braking distances and the lack of Ford's excellent Sync electronics interface. As such, we'd only consider those models from '08 or later; here you'll find better brakes and Sync. Even then, though, this MKX paled in comparison to its rivals and was even more closely related to its cheaper Edge sibling than the current model.

From 2007-'10, the MKX was powered by a 265-hp 3.5-liter V6 shared with the Edge -- making comparisons between the two inevitable and not at all beneficial to the more expensive Lincoln. A six-speed automatic was standard, while front-wheel and all-wheel drive were available. The impressive array of standard features was pretty similar to the current car, though package names and content changed a bit over the years. There were also special packages (Monochrome, Midnight Limited and plain old Limited editions) that added special exterior and interior trim, big wheels and in some cases, a sport suspension.

This era MKX was known for having an interior design inspired by past Lincolns, with a dual-cowl dash and boxy gauges. It was somewhat cheesy, but worst of all, its downmarket stereo/climate control switchgear, low-end plastics and unimpressive fit and finish made the MKX seem like a guy wearing a cardigan to a black-tie soiree. The front seats were also quite hard and uncomfortable.

User Reviews:

• 

  My Touch Sucks Indeed - 2011 Lincoln MKX
  By mattd42 - April 11 - 5:16 pm

  The issue I have is with the inability of the touch screen to respond to my touch command. Upon not doing so, I inadvertently applied too much pressure with my one finger and thereby broke the outer plastic. Thinking this would be a routine warranty issue I was shocked to find out from the Dealer that it was not and therfore necessitating me using my comprehensive insurance coverage to the tune of a whopping $1,900.00. As per Gomer Pyle, USMC of the old TV Series, Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!!!

• 

  My Touch\Sync dosent work - 2011 Lincoln MKX
  By thrassos - April 11 - 2:43 am

  I got my 2011 MKX AWD Limited edition six weeks ago, the in dash computer kept freezing up, called Lincoln was told that they are aware of the issue but no update available as of yet, finally after six weeks the came out an update, it took the dealer two days to update, picked up vehicle late in the day, in the morning the vehicle was DOA. I came out of a MKX 2008 which never had a problem, loved it. My question is, how can Ford ship a vehicle with a known issue???. The 2011 interior is a lot noisier in then the 2008.

• 

  A big trouble - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By LincolnOwner - August 31 - 1:33 pm

  I owned this for one year and have a problem after problem. I have 8000 miles and already replaced bi- pillars. There is a noise in a driver door and a panoramic roof area. Service trying to repair it and they dont know how. After 3rd time will hope for a lemon law. There is a problem with Ford. They dont know how to build a vehicle and service doesnt know how to repair them. You are on your own. Do yourself a favor, do not buy it. Or you will spend all your time in a service. Very poor quality of interior. I made a mistake when I bought it.

• 

  Poor Gas Mileage, Mechanical problems - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By Will - July 14 - 12:20 pm

  Got the car and the electrical system had to be replaced. Keep getting banging noise when accelerating but they cant find the reason. Fuel filter overloaded already. Gets at best 14 MPG. Very comfortable inside and love the features but would not look at this again

• 

  Disappointed - 2008 Lincoln MKX
  By Disappointed - February 27 - 4:36 am

  Have 1300 miles on car. Have owned several Fords-no problems. Bought this car to keep several years-wrong move. Very disappointed. Engine has loud single pecking noise at cold start after auto choke shuts down. Getting worse. Service department & Ford engineer hears noise, dont know what is causing it and that nothing can be done about it-say some do it and some dont? Also, constant struggle with steering- pulls out of road-wears me out to drive it. Feels like it doesnt have power steering at times. Service dept has checked and says normal for FWD-I have owned other FWDs that did not do that-a little stiffer steering I expected but not this. Bad move buying this car-lot of money wasted

• 

  My Touch Sucks - 2011 Lincoln MKX
  By mkoops - December 13 - 3:17 pm

  The car is OK, the lincoln my touch is gonna make you hate it. If you get in the car and drive to the store, the car works great. If you want to do something like listen to the radio, be prepared to get angry. It does things like reboot leaving the volume loud and on an AM station for 2 or 3 minutes while it does it. The navigation is too hard and slow to use. It will take about 5 full minutes to get a restaurant detestation into it. The data base is WAY out of date. My Touch is awful.

• 

  Makes H3 look like a Prius - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By bashmyshell - May 27 - 3:13 pm

  I admit, I purchased this car expecting at least 17/22 MPG based on the listed 19/25 sticker. After casually driving for 200 miles, I have noticed one thing. This car has never gotten higher than 11.8 MPG. And this was after I decided to drive like a grandma. Mileage is more like 10/11 after 2000 miles. very disappointed! 90% of my driving is on the freeway with no traffic! But it definately is comfortable and plush while draining the gas down. I would have never made the purchase had I known the mileage was so low.

• 

  Mytouch gone wrong - 2011 Lincoln MKX
  By Unhappy - January 11 - 2:00 am

  Ok looks good. Feels good. But I believe I am part of the first recall with locking problem. In addition the technology of the car would be amazing if it did infact work. The phone will not sync with bluetooth. The navigation locks up. The rear camera blacks out in a regular basis and the only fix Lincoln has at this time is temporary. The disconnect the car battery for ten minutes to reset system. I have had the car for about 2 weeks now and the car mytouch system has failed at least 6 times and the temporary fix has lasted 5 day at most. The promise of a fix has been delayed twice now. Customer service at both ford and the dealership is lacking. This has been a issue ford was aware of.

• 

  Lots of small problems - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By kg - July 16 - 9:00 pm

  The car drives well. The headrests are extremely uncomfortable because they are slanted forward force you to lean forward. I have had my MKX back at the dealer about every 2 weeks for minor problems such as inserting screws into a panel in front of the rear passenger side wheel that werent inserted when I bought the vehicle. My interior drivers side light went out and I took that to the dealer to be fixed. They said that a connector was loose and that they fixed the problem. Now, a couple of weeks later, the interior drivers side light is out again and I have to take it back to the dealer. If I wanted to spend time getting things fixed, I would have bought a project car not a 2007 Lincoln!

• 

  2008 MKX - 2008 Lincoln MKX
  By frtiz - February 10 - 1:00 am

  So far the driving experience has been good. Not quite as comfortable as my 04 Saab 93 though.