Think of the new Lincoln MKS as an elegant beauty queen with an Ivy League Ph.D.
Not only is the artful exterior of Lincoln’s new luxury model a head turner, but it has enough high-tech gadgets and mechanical extras to provide a ride that other cars only promise.
As most auto enthusiasts know, Ford has sought to revitalize the Lincoln offerings and recapture its place as a luxury vehicle line. If the flagship MKS is any indication, mission accomplished. And before you think Lincolns are just for mature drivers, take a look at the MKS aerodynamic style and lush interior. It’s little wonder the car attracts drivers of all ages.
Dealer Bruce Schindler, Bob Davidson Ford Lincoln Mercury in Baltimore, said his teenage son’s passion for the car is reflected in the array of customers that inquire about the car at his dealership.
“This isn’t an ‘older person’s’ car,” said Schindler. “The style, the extras mean everyone loves it.”
For reasons why, let’s start with the pretty face. This car’s sculpted hood and sleek roof line plus notable head and tail lamps make it a head turner. Expect plenty of glances as you drive down the road. When the test car was parked, it wasn’t unusual to have a small crowd gather around it. Yes, it’s that pretty, but it’s not gaudy. This car is more the Audrey Hepburn of beauty.
It’s so easy to be jaded by cars these days that it might take those who test-drive the MKS some time to realize that the appointments, such as the wood on the steering wheel, are real. Other interior features include leather seats that can be heated or cooled and shifted into a myriad of positions, The Ford Sync system which offers touches of voice-activated satellite radio, navigation, audio and more, dual environmental controls – the list goes on and on.
Yet all of this luxury doesn’t come at the expense of the environment. For example, the ebony wood used for some models is from reclaimed furniture. The high-quality organic leather seats are free of chromium tanning. Plus, the car boasts an array of fuel-saving systems that help boost its mileage to a respectable 17-mpg city, 24 mpg highway for the front-wheel-drive model.
Best of all, though, is the MKS ride. Built on a platform shared by Volvo S80, Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable and powered by a 3.7-liter V-6 engine, the 273 horsepower and 270 foot-pounds torque make for an ultrasmooth powerful ride on an engine that does not require premium fuel. Ford credits the vertically mounted shock absorbers at the outboard end of the suspension arms, near the wheels, for the superb ride. Handling is easy and the turning radius is tight.
If this sounds like gushing over a vehicle, it is. Few vehicles in this price range offer so many features in a smooth riding luxury car with top crash ratings.
In this contest, the Lincoln MKS is clearly the front-runner.
SPECS BOX
- 2009 Lincoln MKS
- Body style/Driveline: 4-door sedan; FWD and AWD
- Engine: 3.7 L 24-Valve V-6 engine with iVCT
- Transmission: Six-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift
- Fuel economy: 17 mpg city, 24 highway (FWD); 16 mpg city, 23 mpg highway (AWD); regular fuel (87 octane)
- MSRP: Starting at $37,665
