Lincoln's Budget Bling Crossover

The new Lincoln MKX is too obviously cross-bred with the cheaper Ford Edge. Still, it provides an impressive bling on a budget

by Matt Vella

Editor's Rating:

The Good: Bling on a budget, panoramic sunroof, smooth ride, great sound system

The Bad: Too close to the Ford Edge, not much competition for other luxury crossovers

The Bottom Line: Ford's premium crossover isn't bad for a version 1.0

Reader Reviews

• View Slide Show

Up Front

Get ready to become sick of the word "crossover." Over the next 12 long months, auto manufacturers left and right will be trotting out so-called crossovers, that is, vehicles based on car platforms but offering sport-utility vehicle proportions and practicality. And though these cars have been around for at least a decade, the buzzword is just getting ready for its 15 minutes of fame.

A duo of crossovers just happens to make up the bulk of Ford Motor's (F) game plan for the next year—the plebeian-priced Ford Edge and the nearly identical if moderately upgraded Lincoln MKX. Though well-powered and well-appointed, the new MKX unfortunately supplies critics with even more ammunition that, as far as the Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln nameplates are concerned, the company is little more than a Johnny-One-Note.

That's because the two vehicles are nearly identical, even if the MKX's pricing starts off right where the Edge's stops, around $35,000. That's not to say that Ford's head isn't in the right place. After all, it's borrowing a page from rival Toyota's (TM) playbook. The Japanese manufacturer has scored two blockbusters in one with the Toyota Highlander and Lexus RX crossovers. But, those two vehicles, unlike the MKX and Edge, look significantly different inside and out.

Even so, the MKX is likely to fill an important role for Lincoln going forward. The new model replaces the molasses-slow-selling Ford Explorer-based Aviator. In 2005, Lincoln sold a dismal 23,644 Aviators and last year, as it was phased out to make room for the MKX, sales dwindled to 15,873 units. Lincoln's SUV and truck sales were down 24.5% last year, to a mere 39,270 units.

Enter the MKX, with all the virtues of an SUV—ample interior space, available all-wheel drive, a high driving position—and lacking the major drawback, lousy fuel economy. With a base price of $34,120, the MKX is priced smack between high-trim crossovers from Nissan (NSANY), Toyota, and Honda (HMC) and basic luxury versions from Infiniti, Lexus, Acura, and BMW. This pricing might prove appealing to consumers looking for a bit more luxury but not too much more. That said, the MKX is unlikely to stand up to close comparative scrutiny with models from Toyota or even Ford itself.

A basic MKX is well-priced but with extras it gets into BMW or Lexus country. My test vehicle, the all-wheel-drive model, carried a base price of $35,770. In addition, the model was equipped with the $4,795 "elite" options package consisting of panoramic roof, DVD-based navigation, satellite radio, and THX II sound system; the $1,995 "ultimate" package bestowing a bevy of comfort and convenience goodies as well as 18-inch wheels; a $295 Class II trailer towing package; and a $65 rear cargo management system.

This nearly completely tricked-out MKX comes with nearly identical bodywork and a lot of the same features, including the panoramic sunroof and navigation system, of the Edge but also offers cooled seats, a glitzier grille, more luxurious interior accents, and a smoother ride. Throw in a $675 destination charge, the total is $43,890. That's not bad for all that equipment but the V6-powered BMW X5 starts around $45,000 and the Lexus RX at a little more than $38,000.

Behind the Wheel

Ford's 3.5 liter V6 powers the MKX, serving up 265 horses and 250 foot-pounds of torque. That's more than enough to coax the car's 4,420 pounds into action when required. The six-speed automatic transmission reacts pleasantly, making smooth gear shifts while also helping to squeeze out better fuel economy than five- and four-speed implementations.

The ride is less sporty than either the Edge or the Mazda CX-9, which is also based on the same platform.