The Lincoln MKX was redesigned for 2011 and there is no doubt that the 2011 model is a huge improvement. As Lincoln plows forward with an aggressive overhaul of the brand, the 2011 Lincoln MKX AWD should keep its place at the table. The MKX is much more than a rebadged Ford Edge. The 2011 Lincoln MKX is a full blown luxury crossover.
Exterior
The first thing you see on the 2011 Lincoln MKX is the new grille, fenders, lamps and hood, which come together for a very sleek look. Also new for the exterior in 2011 are rear individual LED tail lamps, new wheels, new exhaust outlets and a new lift gate. Our MKX was Red Candy Metallic with 20″ chrome clad aluminum wheels. All together, the crossover was a big hit with admirers on the road. With the new rear tail lamps, dual exhaust with chrome tips, and the rear spoiler the MKX takes on a classy yet sporty look. Again, the new grille, which Lincoln likes to refer to as a “split-wing grille,” is a big change on this vehicle. I feel Lincoln got it right this time as the grille set the tone for the entire exterior finish!
Interior
This is where I feel Lincoln accomplished even more dramatic changes, which puts the MKX right up there with much more expensive crossovers. The interior is much more than the push button start and remote start that is offered in many vehicles these days. I’m real big on seating material, comfort and feel and the black leather (with piping), 5 -passenger seating was top notch. The dashboard and info center was loaded with MyLincoln touch, stereo with CD/MP3 player, SYNC voice activated system, Sirius satellite radio, dual-zone auto climate control and voice activated navigation system. MKX’s panoramic vista roof is large and even tempted me to open it in the heart of winter. I kept my enthusiasm for fresh air under control and kept it closed. The Lincoln MKX has basically no dials for your info center controls but rather voice activated and touch sensitive control bars to increase volume or lower fan control. The look is very sleek and although it is a little more time consuming to learn, it’s very practical once you are in the groove. The side mirrors on the 2011 Lincoln MKX seem to be the perfect size in the perfect location. That was a big plus when maneuvering on the snowy roads in Ohio.
Performance
I tested this vehicle in plenty of Ohio snow in January and the AWD drive system worked as well as any crossover I have driven. The mileage was 17mpg city and 23mpg highway, which makes the AWD a smart choice when safety and performance are on your mind. The 3.7-liter V6 TI-VCT with 305 horsepower and 270 lbs. ft. torque and 4-wheel ABS disc brakes gave me a confident feel regardless of the driving situation. I’m a big fan of Ford’s blind spot monitoring system on the side mirrors and I was grateful for those on the test drive of the MKX. It’s like an extra pair of eyes when changing lanes. When backing up the reliable and large eight-inch rear view camera screen was my best friend. The best way to describe the ride in the Lincoln MKX is smooth, powerful and safe.
Overview
The new 2011 Lincoln MKX AWD has some very tough competition in the midsize, 5-passenger crossover segment. After spending time driving the MKX I feel it is up to the challenge. The improvements in the 2011 model are significant and will hopefully expand the audience for this Lincoln product. I say that because even with all of the improvements it’s still going to be tough to get the 35 to 40 year old crowd into the MKX. Some of the competition is sleeker and more refined but that shouldn’t stop new customers from being impressed with all the MKX has to offer. Our model was loaded and had a sticker price of $49,840. If you want the goodies in the MKX, start thinking 50k!
