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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  Giving Detroit and MKX a try - 2016 Lincoln MKX
  By MKX in DC - October 14 - 11:36 am

  Pros: We were shopping for a luxury SUV Crossover. We have not owned an American car in decades. We test drove the usual suspects, the RX350, Honda Pilot, Acura MDX, but kept coming back to the MDX because of its powerful 2.7L Ecoboost engine, generous cabin space, Sync 3 (Do not get the older version of Sync), as the Sync 3 is fantastic and quite intuitive. The 4 year warranty made us feel better about buying American. We have had our MDX for a month now and love it! We will be taking it on a long road trip soon and we will report back about how the MDX performed. Cons: Gulps down fuel and seem to always be filling it up.

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  Noisy tires - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By kate - October 2 - 7:56 pm

  This was an incredibly quiet car to drive until about five months ago. I started hearing "wawawa" sound from the tires when moving and our trusted tire man rotated and aligned them saying the noise was due to "cupping." There is no uneven tread wear or any tread wear for that matter. Was told if continued, though annoying, was perfectly safe to drive on these Michelins. Not what I had in mind for a luxury car.

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  "Learning" to love my Lincoln... - 2012 Lincoln MKX
  By texanson - September 14 - 8:21 am

  Traded my ML350 Benz for this little jewel in April. Drove it off showroom floor. Loaded. All options. Its my second car. The first few months, I did not like this car. I wouldnt drive it. I couldnt figure out how anything worked and was constantly having to actually pull over, and get out the owners manuals and learn how to turn on this or that option. It was very frustrating. However, in time, and after 6000 miles, I have, indeed fallen in love with this car. I find myself chosing to drive it more and more. IT has a learning curve for sure, but with some patience and teaching the old dog new tricks, its a great, fun car, that turns heads, and a real treat to drive,you will learn to love.

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  Disappointed - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By Unhappy - May 18 - 4:40 pm

  It is more like driving a car than a SUV. The ride is rough and the gas mileage is not up to what Lincoln indicates that it will be. It doesnt have the usual Lincoln qualities. This vehicle is identical to the Ford Edge except for a few cosmetics.

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  MKX Arrives w/Style! - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By Nice Car..I Mean SUV - May 13 - 8:50 pm

  Nice car. Lincoln did a nice job with the overall design. Could have used a glove box light and covers for the seat wiring. Car broke down on first trip. Gas meter stopped working. Rear taillight was scratched from factory. Nice design, beautiful car but Lincoln quality assurance needs refinement! The GPS navigation is anything but intelligent often selecting the most indirect route. Software needs to be re-engineered!

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  Not for Winding Roads or steep grades - 2008 Lincoln MKX
  By aes - March 18 - 2:33 pm

  We live on a mountain with a 15% grade for 4 miles. Our last car, a Montego, performed excellently with a CVT. It lacked power and was noisy so we wanted the same car with a Lincoln trim. The MKX seemed like the best answer and they market the 6 speed transmission as barely perceptable shifting. The CVT is no longer available. Since all of the Lincoln dealers shut down near our house we bought this 50 miles away without a test drive on our hill. Big mistake! It is truly wonderful as all other reviewers say on normal roads but the transmission hunts horribly on our hill. The L setting shifts from 2nd to first abruptly when slowing around blind corners and you have to go back to D to 2nd.

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  Annoying - 2017 Lincoln MKX
  By Jerry Zee - September 14 - 12:57 pm

  Great car. Called a SUV but it really is not. The 2015 was taller and more like a true SUV. The 2017 is lower and slightly wider. We opted for the 2.7L turbocharged model. The turbocharger is loud on acceleration and very annoying. Dealer said all is well and nothing wrong. Took an identical car for a test drive and its turbo also was very loud on acceleration. Test drove several other Ford vehicles that were turbocharged and could not hear any noise upon acceleration. Apparently this problem is unique to 2017 Lincoln MKX with the 2.7L that is turbocharged. This problem is not recognized by Lincoln so my advice is to refrain from purchasing this model until the problem is resolved.

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  Look elsewhere - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By T. Ross - June 22 - 9:00 am

  This is a replacement of a Murano, and a lexus RX before that. I bought it for the clean crisp look and wanted to try a domestic again. Wrong! After only 6500 miles, it has been in the shop four times. The satellite radio/nav went out, transmission has a noticable "clunk" when shifting at slow speeds between 5-8 mph, and a brake sensor went out. The dealer cant find or duplicate the tranny problem but I feel it everyday. Im getting rid of this car and am looking for a replacement with the Infinity FX or Acura MDX. Im done with the domestics if this is the best they can do.