2011 Lincoln MKX with contemporary styling and a modern interior

The 2011 Lincoln MKX is Lincoln’s first entry in the crossover market and delivers a stylish, car-based crossover sports utility vehicle with contemporary styling and a modern interior. A distinctive exterior design, a quiet ride and a multitude of standard and premium features make it a vehicle worth considering in the already crowded market of luxury crossover SUVs.

Standard features in the single version Lincoln MKX include leather upholstery, 18-inch wheels, automatic climate control that has two zones, a steering wheel made of wood and leather, seats that can be both heated and cooled, reverse park assist and satellite radio. Safety features include traction and stability control with enhanced control against rollover, full-length side curtain airbags and front seat side impact airbags.

There are several optional packages for the Lincoln MKX. One package adds adaptive headlights, 18-inch wheels that are polished, interior mood lighting, and upgraded leather seating. Another package provides a panoramic sunroof, an improved audio system and a navigation system with a hard drive for storage of digital music and providing the Sirius Travel Link. There are also special options for the exterior that offer different colors and trim as well as 20-inch and 22-inch wheels.

Specs:

The engine in the Lincoln MKX is a 3.5 liter V6 that can produce 265 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. The transmission is a Select Speed six speed automatic and lacks a manual shift mode with limited access to lower gears. The vehicle is available in front-wheel or all-wheel drive.

Fuel economy for the Lincoln MKX is rated at 17 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway for the all-wheel drive model and 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway for the front-wheel drive model.

The interior of the Lincoln MKX has been redesigned and is spacious, comfortable and luxurious. Classy stitching shows off the dash and door panels and the soft leather seats that can be both heated and cooled can be purchased with contrasting piping. Wood trim lines the interior with real aluminum available as an option. Noise in the cabin is minimal even at top highway speeds. With the back seats in use, the available cargo space is 32.3 cubic feet and expands to 68.9 feet when the second row seat is folded down.

New to the Lincoln MKX is the MyLincoln Touch, a touch sensitive system with three touchscreens for audio, climate, and navigation. The system uses small nubs and finger sliders instead of buttons and a pair of five-way switches on the steering wheel that each controls a 4.2 inch LCD screen on either side of the speedometer. The use of the system requires some adjustment and greater attention at the beginning but offers a great deal of control of the features inside the vehicle.

The 2011 Lincoln MKX is a welcome addition to the market of crossover SUVs with a vehicle where luxury has superseded sportiness. The vehicle still delivers a smooth ride with quality steering and improved braking systems and an intelligent all-wheel drive system that can distribute power to the wheels when needed for a ride with the most grip.