2008 Lincoln MKX Review

The new 2008 five-passenger Lincoln MKX crossover utility vehicle emphasizes on-road performance and interior space and versatility. The MKX combines a contemporary, somewhat sporty exterior look-with large chrome wheels, chrome trim, and an arched roofline-with traditional American luxury styling cues inside. The interior is trimmed in wood and "satin nickel," and there's a "cool white" theme for interior lighting.

The interior is especially quiet and comfortable. The MKX has thicker sound insulation than most other vehicles in its class, and both rows of seating are sized for full-size adults. For expanded cargo space, the back seats-which can be reclined 15 degrees for comfort-fold forward easily via an Easy Fold remote switch (which comes as part of an option package). There are also several useful smaller storage areas, including a center console sized for laptops. The rear liftgate has a unique lighting system featuring LEDs inside and out, surrounding the Lincoln emblem. And overhead, an available panoramic vista roof allows a significant portion of the roof to be open to the sky.

More notable standard features are satellite radio, heated and cooled front seats, front power lumbar support, a reverse sensing system, and a memory feature for the mirrors and the driver's seat. Ford's Sync system is also standard.

The MKX includes front side-impact air bags and full-length side-curtain air bags as standard. The safety canopy system for the curtain bags assures protection during rollover situations, while the AdvanceTrac with roll stability control helps avoid those situations in the first place. Anti-lock brakes are standard as well.

Heated seats are available for the back. Other standout options include adaptive projector-beam headlamps that help illuminate into a corner, DVD-based navigation, a rear-seat DVD system with an 8-inch screen, and a 14-speaker, 600-watt THX II audio system.

There's only one engine available on the MKX, a 265-horsepower, 3.5L V6, paired with a six-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard, and an all-wheel-drive system is optional. The AWD system has been tuned for all-weather on-road driving, and can reroute torque as needed even before wheel slippage occurs. Fuel economy on the two-wheel-drive MKX, at 16 city, 24 highway, is good.
The Lincoln MKX, a new crossover for 2007, enters 2008 with relatively few changes. On the outside, a driver's side electrochromic exterior mirror is now standard, and three colors have been added. Inside, the standards list now includes Sirius satellite radio, heated and cooled front seats, front power lumbar support, a reverse sensing system, new metallic interior accents, and a memory feature for the mirrors and the driver's seat. Ford's Sync communications and entertainment system is also new for 2008.

A Limited Edition Package is new this year, and it includes 20-inch chrome wheels along with a host of other cosmetic enhancements. see less