Short Take Road Test
Lincoln refers to the MKX, its new entry into the midsize luxury SUV segment, as a CUV, which is short for crossover utility vehicle. The different acronym is used to suggest that a crossover is closer to a car than a truck. This minor distinction also helps the best of both worlds marketing position the MKX is taking: the (optional) all-wheel drive mobility and tall seating position of an SUV with the handling and performance of a sedan.
So does it work? From a styling standpoint, the MKX definitely takes a sporty stance. And the chrome grille, which spans the entire distance between the headlights, is a distinctive design touch shared with other new Lincolns, the Navigator and the MKZ. The seat height is definitely a good middle ground; the MKX is easy to get in and out of, but still offers the tall vista that SUV buyers are seeking.
The MKX is powered by a new 3.5-liter DOHC V-6 (right). It's the same engine found in the MKZ and the Ford Edge. But the 265-hp powerplant isn't the only item shared with the Edge (and the forthcoming Mazda CX-9) - both cars share a chassis and six-speed automatic transmission. The six-speed is excellent, but it can't make up for all the MKX's 4616 pounds. The 0-to-60-mph time comes in at a respectable 8.1 seconds, but that's over a second slower than the Lexus RX350, which is the most likely benchmark for the MKX. Still, the engine is smooth, and it delivers all 250 lb-ft of torque with surprising refinement. In the handling department, the MKX delivers a very SUV-like 0.75 g on the skidpad. But the ride is nicely isolated from the road while still keeping body roll under reasonable control.
The interior of the MKX, covered in faux-metal satin trim with wood accents, is as quiet as a library. Even the optional panoramic sunroof - which is a large front sunroof combined with a glass roof for the rear seats - doesn't make much noise when open. Rear-seat passengers that want to enjoy the skylight can recline the seats 15 degrees, and when folded the rear seats increase the cargo capacity from 32 to 69 cubic feet.
Our all-wheel-drive MKX was loaded with options including adaptive headlamps, heated-and-cooled front seats, a DVD navigation system, a 14-speaker THX sound system, the big sunroof, and a power liftgate, all of which made it pretty deluxe. But that extravagance raised the price from $36,445 to a lofty $43,595. That's a lot of money for a vehicle that, looks aside, isn't very different from the Edge, which starts at $25,995 for a front-drive model (add $1650 for all-wheel drive). Plus, many of those options are available on the Edge. The MKX is good, but unless you're a huge fan of the styling or a dead-set on cooled seats, the Edge is a far better deal.
