First Impressions
There are those of us for whom gray hair and a few wrinkles are considered distinguishing characteristics and not simple signs of aging. We’re part of the generation that grew up before the advent of Invisalign and clear braces, when orthodontic care meant stuffing a kid’s mouth chock full of metal bits and wires.
Like the 2011 Lincoln MKT (view photos), we greeted the world with a shiny-toothed grin, yet it’s a look that works infinitely better on a car than on a skinny, pimply-faced teenager.
Designers of this luxury crossover, cousin to the boxy Ford Flex, have taken a leap of faith with not only the blinding grille but also the swooping body lines and the sloping tail treatment. As a whole, the MKT makes a bold visual statement without stepping into the realm of garishness. The interior is less dramatic, though it offers the upscale style and refined textures shoppers will be expecting from Lincoln’s competitor to the Mercedes-Benz R-Class.
We spent a week evaluating the 2011 MKT during the daily slog and while traversing the highways and byways of northern New England, walking away with positive impressions and high expectations for the Lincoln’s future.
Pricing, Trims and Options
For 2011, Lincoln offers buyers an MKT that mirrors its 2010 predecessor in nearly every way. Starting things off is the front-wheel-drive model simply named MKT, available for $44,995 including destination charges and boasting an enviable list of standard features. Among the goods serving to remind folks that this is indeed a luxury car are perforated leather upholstery; adaptive HID headlights that shine brightly and angle toward the direction of travel; a panoramic glass roof; 12-way, power-adjustable, heated and cooled front seats; an eight-inch touch-screen display with integrated audio and climate controls; a rearview camera; and a power liftgate. The list goes on with amenities such as a push-button ignition system, heated mirrors with built-in LED turn signals, the popular SYNC in-car communications system, rear sunshades, and much more.
It’s hard to imagine what could be left over for the option list, but there are indeed a few highly desirable extra-cost items. Priced at $4,000, the Elite Package fits the 2011 Lincoln MKT with adaptive cruise control, a power-folding third-row bench seat, a moonroof, voice-activated navigation with Sirius real-time traffic information, an upgraded surround sound system, and blind-spot warning technology. Even with all of those features you’re still under $50,000, so perhaps you have $895 left over for a second-row center console with a cooler or $1,995 for a rear entertainment system.
Buyers who prefer their luxury crossovers to be driven by all four wheels can opt for the MKT AWD, priced from $46,990. Like the front-drive version, power comes from a 3.7-liter V6.
Positioned atop the lineup is the 2011 MKT Ecoboost. Lincoln charges $49,995 for this version of its stylish crossover, a higher price justified by the inclusion of a gutsy turbocharged engine and standard all-wheel drive. Also distinguishing the Ecoboost variant is Active Park Assist, a $595 option that, when activated, takes much of the hassle of parallel parking out of the driver’s hands because it automatically steers the big Lincoln into a space while the driver operates the pedals and shifter.
Interior Features
If you’re planning a trip in the 2011 Lincoln MKT, prepare to be pampered regardless of where you sit. Those of you tasked with driving will be welcomed and cradled by a wide front seat, with padding that’s soft enough to be comfortable without lacking support. Power adjustments for the seat, the leather- and wood-trimmed tilt and telescoping steering wheel, and the foot pedals allow drivers of all heights to dial in a personalized fit. Once that’s been done, focus may fall to secondary comfort features like padded sills and armrests, not to mention triple-setting heated and cooled chairs for the driver and front passenger.
Second-row occupants will be pleased to learn that their needs have been addressed with an equal amount of attention. Our MKT test car featured the center console and integrated cooler, with spacious, heated and cooled outboard chairs. As is the case up front, ample room is provided, but folks with especially long legs will appreciate the slight padding added to the backsides of the front seats as well as the manual sliding feature of the second-row chairs. Wide doors are designed to make access easy, but they’re heavy and present a problem when attempting to exit the vehicle in tight parking spaces.
Access is also an issue when it comes to the 2011 MKT’s rearmost seat, though it’s better than most. Buttons inside the rear side doors automatically tilt and fold the second-row chairs, offering decent room to maneuver and lessening the need for physical contortion. Our five-foot-eight-inch-tall editor found enough leg and foot room, but head room was noticeably lacking. Overall seat comfort was merely adequate due to flat and relatively stiff padding.
The MKT’s third row was disappointing in terms of materials, with hard plastic armrests that were not as solidly affixed as bits and pieces found elsewhere in the cabin. Otherwise, interior quality was top-notch, from the mesh used on the headliner and pillar covers to the liberal application of soft-touch leather and consistent panel gaps.
Lincoln also deserves kudos for the amount of cargo space and versatility built into the MKT crossover. The trunk features a deep storage well that’s ideal for transporting several bags of groceries, though lifting heavy items up and over the rear bumper could be a challenge for some people. However, no one is likely to have any difficulty pushing a button to lower the third-row seat. Do the same for the second row and you’ll have a long, flat load floor and 75.9 cu-ft of space, all accessed via a wide and tall tailgate opening.
At the opposite end of the interior is what’s essentially the MKT’s central command zone. The instrument panel is home to basic controls for the audio and climate systems, all of which are well-marked and intuitive but feel low-grade. Additional commands, such as adjusting the fan mode and choosing between FM and Sirius satellite radio service, are done through the center touch screen. The standard SYNC in-car communications system also allows for voice-activation of features including the hands-free Bluetooth phone system and your iPod, which can be connected via a USB port located in the center console.
Safety, Quality and Reliability
When you’re inviting up to six of your friends or family members along for a ride, you probably want to make sure everyone’s piling into a safe vehicle. The 2011 Lincoln MKT (view photos) fits the bill with front-side and side-curtain airbags, four-wheel antilock disc brakes, AdvanceTrac stability control, and available all-wheel-drive capability. Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has tested the 2011 MKT, though each provides results for the identical 2010 model. The IIHS named the MKT a Top Safety Pick for 2010; the NHTSA awarded five out of five stars for front- and side-impact protection, while rollover protection earned a four-star score. However, NHTSA testing procedures have been updated for 2011 and it’s important to note that the MKT’s scores may change as a result.
In addition to crashworthiness, chances are you’re also interested in what kind of reliability you can expect from the 2011 MKT. Consumer Reports and J.D. Power and Associates project better-than-average reliability for the MKT. If a problem should arise, MKT buyers are covered by a basic warranty that spans four years or 50,000 miles, and six years or 70,000 miles of powertrain protection and roadside assistance.