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:

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  Driving Me Crazy - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By DC Driver - January 21 - 5:03 am

  I love the looks of the truck but its been in the shop more than any car Ive ever had. First, small things - Ive had three turn signal lights replaced in less than two years. Theres also a very noticable "clunk" in the transmission every now and then. Now the truck is cutting off periodically while Im idling in traffic. The dealership "reset the computer" and it ran fine for a few weeks but it died on me again this morning in rush hour traffic. Very dangerous! Im getting rid of it ASAP.

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  Take a good look - then look elsewhere - 2013 Lincoln MKX
  By love2drive4 - January 18 - 9:34 pm

  Ive had this car for 18+ months and Im looking to trade. At 5 months the brakes were making a terrible grinding. My rotors already needed turning. At one year, my battery needed replacing after many complaints of odd electrical malfunctions. My wipers still go on for no reason, on a completely sunny day sitting at a stop light. My radio features sometimes go awry, not going to preset channel or displaying two different stations on the dash compared to instrument cluster screen. Acceleration is sluggish, once youre going ride is comfortable. Absolutely hate the blinker. Every time I use it I think its going to break. Too hard to operate - what were they thinking?!?

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  You can run but you cant see it - 2011 Lincoln MKX
  By tcars1 - June 12 - 3:02 pm

  The My Lincoln Touch (my ford touch) system is a complete joke. 3 days into the car the system has crashed twice. 6 days into it the system has locked up, audio non-existant. Nav map comes and goes at will. The MFT system simply does not work. I dont care that it is "slow" but loses blue tooth every 5 min. and rebooting while using the nav is ridiculous. Now I am stuck with this piece of Sh*t. Dealers have excuses. Search MFT/MLT (I wish I did) and believe... you will be sorry you bought this car when you get your blank screen and have to pull over, restart the car and wonder if it will work. Starting everyday has brought on some other glitch.

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  Disappointed - 2013 Lincoln MKX
  By lincolnnewby - February 19 - 10:38 am

  Wth all the hype about Ford comeback I find the Lincoln MKX very disappointing when comparing even to the Chevy Traverse LTZ. Lacks a lot of the finesse in features and even the "Premier" package cannot compare.....Lincoln is Higher priced but not worth it. No folding side mirrors, second seat not adjustable, no key memory for seat positions, lots less cargo space, electric seats lack adjustable features as GM has, lackluster engine and poor gas mileage.......Lots of other bad comparisons....Guess Ill go back to GM.

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  OK - 2008 Lincoln MKX
  By Ray in NH - February 11 - 7:36 pm

  Looking for a lot of features packed into one vehicle that you can buy for $36,000, (with elite and ultimate packages), this vehicle is a good value. We have driven BMW and Mercedes brands for the past 20 years. This vehicle is no match. Buying a two year old ML320 is a better value. Especially when the Lincoln gets 17.5 MPG highway. My wife would drive just about anything. If I dont have to drive this car more than once per week, thats plenty.

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  Do not buy - 2012 Lincoln MKX
  By akalucky - August 7 - 8:50 pm

  I have just traded in my MKX after owning it for less than a year. The new Lincoln and Ford MyTouch Sync is a disaster. This system was pushed to market far to soon - very disappointed in Ford. The system is buggy and slow. Do not purchase any vehicle with the Ford or Lincoln MyTouch.

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  Ups and downs - 2016 Lincoln MKX
  By David - March 29 - 12:25 pm

  The upsides to the car: Handles and accelerates beautifully. I have the 2.7L ecoboost and the 21 inch rims. Power if plentiful, ride is smooth, and it handles like a much smaller sedan. Its a drivers vehicle and oozes competence on the road. I like most of the tech features a lot, and after my last vehicle (A BMW), Im glad to be looking at a sensibly laid-out touchscreen. All the parking aids and such are wonderful and the stereo sounds great. Lincoln has also been great, and Ive been really happy with the dealer support. The downsides: Even with the 22-way adjustable seat (which actually only adjusts in 7 or 8 different ways), I just cant get comfortable. The seats crane my neck forward and the bottom seat bolsters dig into my thighs. The ergonomics of the car are kind of a mess - as an example, the seat controls are silly complex, with multiple pull down menus and four or five different buttons. The transmission controls are on the dash, but that doesnt wind up freeing up any usable space - you get this goofy under console shelf that is barely usable. And, too bad if you want to power your phone - the power source is at the bottom of the dash and certainly impossible to reach unless you stop the car and bend down low. Some of the features just dont work very well: waving your foot under the back bumper rarely opens the back the first time, and the air cooled seats arent really very cool. MPG is abysmal (although nobody lied to me about that one - I knew that going in) and the visibility out back is atrocious. Somewhere in the middle: The fit and finish overall is very good, and the materials are mostly nice. For example, the leather on the seats is high quality. But, there are some hard cheap plastics in the interior. Feels real upscale to me, but I never owned a Lexus or Mercedes. Im not entirely sure Lincoln has hit the lofty objective of competing with Lexus.

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  Run!!!!! - 2011 Lincoln MKX
  By greeny480 - December 1 - 6:41 pm

  Bought this vehicle new in 2011 and within 1 1/2 years time I had to take in to have warranty covered items fix on 6 occasions. After 3 attempts to fix a faulty power steering problem with no success, I traded in and went back to Cadillacs.

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  Over-rated - 2008 Lincoln MKX
  By Morris Sgro - October 11 - 12:50 am

  As far as the exterior style goes, nice lines, sharp looking! Here comes the bad news! It has a horrible exhaust noise that sounds like a cow ready to give birth! The ride is smooth if youre on a newly paved road, but at higher speeds, turn up the volume! The MKX needs to be find tuned, there are just too many squeaks and rattles for it to be marked Lincoln! Its a glorified Ford Edge! Too bad! Nice looking!

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  Great vehicle but - 2008 Lincoln MKX
  By Jim - May 29 - 12:23 pm

  This car is a pleasure to drive and especially to look at. I have never had a vehicle get as many admiring looks and compliments. Heres the "but" from the title. Ford is having a tremendous problem with the PTU in the Edge and MKX. Mine has been back 4 times with leaking seals. Ford has no idea how to correct the problem. I am very disappointed with the company. The car is absolutely wonderful but the experience is being ruined by the mechanical problem that Ford cannot fix. If they finally get it right the car will be wonderful. Take a look at the Edge forum on Fords site and see just what I am talking about.