2011 Lincoln MKS Review

Overview

The Lincoln MKS was the first Ford Motor Company vehicle to introduce a premium twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine for the 2010 model year. The EcoBoost program has been considered a part of Ford's ongoing and wide-ranging projects to deliver innovative fuel-efficient powertrain systems with horsepower and torque performance found in larger-displacement engines. The 2011 Lincoln MKS is mainly a carryover model from 2010. It comes in FWD, AWD and Ecoboost trims. For 2011, the available voice-activated navigation system now offers HD Radio technology for even more entertainment options. The MKS includes advanced technologies, like the Active Park Assist parallel parking aid and the MyKey programmable vehicle key help integrate Lincoln MKS into owners' lifestyles.

Power and performance

The FWD and AWD trims have a standard 3.7-liter V6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift control and paddle shifters. This engine pumps out 273 hp and 270 pound-feet of torque with regular unleaded, but filling up with a premium boosts power to 275 hp and 276 lb-ft. The EPA-estimated fuel economy is 17 city/24 highway mpg and 19 mpg combined with FWD and 16/23/19 with AWD. The AWD EcoBoost derives power from a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 good for 355 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. The EcoBoost is noticeably faster and its fuel economy figures stand at 17/25/20.

Body and styling

The FWD and AWD models come standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic adaptive xenon headlamps, automatic high beams, keyless entry/ignition, parking sensors, fog lights, rain-sensing wipers, heated power sideview mirrors with memory, integrated blind-spot mirror and auto-dimming on the driver side, and a slick version of Ford's venerable touchpad entry system. A power rear sunshade, cruise control, leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated and cooled eight-way power front seats (with power lumbar), heated rear seats, power tilt-telescoping steering wheel, driver memory settings, the Sync voice activation system (includes turn-turn directions), a THX-certified sound system with an in-dash six-disc MP3 changer, satellite radio and an auxiliary audio jack. The EcoBoost is similarly equipped but has a more powerful twin-turbocharged engine and 19-inch wheels.

Safety Features

Driver and passenger's air bags, 4-wheel ABS, traction control, HID headlights, Electronic Stability Control, Brake Assist, lower anchors and tethers for children system are among the standard safety features.