Almost a year ago, we spent a day with Lincoln’s then-new MKS. It was a pleasant enough drive through the Virginia countryside, on roads that could show off the handling and features of the car that was penned to help save the division. We came away impressed, within the limits that we were able to discover during a four-hour drive.
Recently, we had a chance to revisit the MKS – this time for an more extended period. During that time, numerous errands were completed, car washes performed, parking maneuvers executed, hands-free calls made and tanks filled. Here’s our in-depth second look.
It ain’t no Town Car
The first thing that is so obvious is that the Chicago-built MKS is not the long, Crown Vic-based behemoth that the Town Car is. This is good. For all the charm that the Town Car possesses, from its ability to coddle its passengers in the back seat, to the ability of stretched limos to carry drunken prom-goers home after a wild night of dancing at the Embassy Suites, the Panther platform has grown increasing stale.
Naturally, we were jazzed at the idea of new blood in the luxury division over in Dearborn.
A recap: The MKS features the new face of Lincoln with the outspread wings emanating from the grille. Add the long front overhang, and the short tail, not to mention the bright trim around all the window openings. From a distance, it could be a Hyundai Genesis sedan. Or an Infiniti G37 sedan. Or any number of others. But move in for a closer look and the first thing you’ll notice is the car is huge. Not just big, but gargantuan. Built on the same platform as the Volvo XC90 and even the Ford Taurus, it will swallow up most of the free space in a typical two-car garage.
The look has grown on us. It’s an athletic look that belies its large size, but we can live with it. We like the chrome bright strip around the side windows and at the rocker panel but frankly could live without the Lincoln “target” bling at the rears of the front fender panels. Chrome strips flow over the roof to the trunk opening but are not objectionable. A faux decklid spoiler-like lip helps with the aero at the rear and gives a sporting impression to the overall package.
The interior delights and in some ways but disappoints at the same time. To be more clear: Parts of it disappoint. The use of leather inside is top notch, and looking all around will cause you to envision leather craftspeople stitching together pieces to cover the heated and ventilated seats, door panels and dashboard. In fact, we wish more manufacturers took Ford/Lincoln’s lead and padded the door panels at the top, where one would naturally rest their arms. That, combined with the single-needle tailoring of the piece that lives on top of the dash rivals touches found in some of Europe’s best.
On the other hand, we can live with the in-dash monitor, and the audio and climate controls, but feel the panel just below the a/c buttons that screams Lincoln in block letters, reeks of trying to save a buck. Perhaps our feelings would change if there were a veneer of rosewood or curly maple to take the place of the petroleum by-product that currently takes up residency there.
The interior controls are first-rate. This MKS was the first Sync-equipped car that this writer has spent a considerable amount of time in, color me impressed. Quickly finding my Bluetooth equipped phone enabled me to go hands free, in between barking orders for a change of the Sirius-equipped THX sound system, I was amazed at how quickly I adapted to it and vice versa. A word to the wise, though: only one voice can be talking in the car while you serve up commands otherwise the Microsoft system gets confused, and offers back the comment “I did not understand.”
Power for our version of the MKS came from the 3.7-liter Duratec V6 engine with 24-valve performance. With 270-horsepower and 273 lb-ft. of torque, it is sufficient for motoring in most situations and offers quick entry and exits on the highways and city streets that we chanced upon. The six-speed automatic transmission with select shift allowed us to play boy racer with the MKS when we felt like throwing it into a turn. The suspension didn’t act untowardly with us, but let us know this a big vehicle. MacPherson struts up front and an independent rear suspension in the back helped to keep the MKS’s entire 4,276 pounds well behaved during such activities. Our tester was equipped with optional 19-inch premium painted cast aluminum rims, that as it turns out are much quieter than the 20-inchers found on the launch vehicle we tried last August.
We can’t wait to see if there might be a MKS SHO with the addition of the new EcoBoost powerplants later this year. EcoBoost has been confirmed for the MKS, but whether Lincoln will further sport-ify the MKS is still unknown.
Leftlane’s bottom line
Lincoln has put together a vehicle that might be lost on the Boca Raton macher on his way to the country club or the early bird special at the local beanery, but that’s okay. This is a Lincoln for the next generation – the one that doesn’t mind cranking up the audio system to advanced volumes.
We’re anxious to drive the upcoming, redesigned Taurus to see just how it is different, however, since its “personal luxury with a dose of sport” mantra seems oh-so-similar to that of the MKS.
2009 Lincoln MKS AWD base price, $39,105. As tested, $45,570.
Ultimate package, $5,715; Destination, $750.
Words and photos by Mark Elias.
06/02, 12:02 PM
posted by:
A4
This car seems irrelevant without the Ecoboost.
06/02, 12:03 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
Poor Lincoln LS never got the love it deserved – from both customers and Ford. Why did it fail where the first gen CTS suceeded? Honestly, I don’t know – I always liked the LS better.
Now for this MKS, it’s simply just a new Continental. What was the Continental? A rebodied Taurus with a bunch of stuff on it. What is this? A rebodied Taurus with a bunch of stuff on it. Funny how history repeats itself.
06/02, 12:14 PM
posted by:
Dr. Lincoln
This is the perscription for the American people. Bay a MKS and call ne in the morning…I am the Doctor.
06/02, 12:19 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
C’mon Mark, just admit it. The fact that you even devoted a paragraph to the Town Car speaks volumes towards your affection for it. It’s OK. I share your devotion. In fact if you gave me the choice I would not hesitate to take that old relic over this MKS. The Town Car has character, rear wheel drive, a silky V8 and makes no pretensions about being something it’s not. That’s where the MKS loses its grip. Is it actually heavier than the Town Car? It must be close as must its footprint. And I guarantee you that 10 years from now I’ll be in a parking lot somewhere and happen upon some old fart’s Executive series and I’ll say to myself ‘nice Town Car’. Given the same situation and an MKS I’d more likely be overheard muttering ‘learn how to park that tank’.
06/02, 12:22 PM
posted by:
ricky_b
This car seems irrelevant WITH ecoboost. I’ve seen MKS and “new” Taurus on the road. They’re HUGE. If you’re looking for a whale of a car, look no further. Problem is, I think they only lowered the age demographic be a few years when they needed to lower it by a couple of decades. I at least give Cadillac credit for designing cars that younger people might consider. This only belong along the streets of Boca.
06/02, 12:53 PM
posted by:
A4
…i dont even think the new taurus is on the road yet?
06/02, 12:59 PM
posted by:
Blakkarr
Admittedly LINCOLN needs to be more daring. The LS was easily one of the best production cars FORD ever deployed and was proof having JAGUAR in their keeping was a benefit to the Company.
One argument was that the LS failed because of poor marketing. Another says it was too “mature”, this is not a code word for “old people”, a car. LINCOLN has had the lean that they skew toward older or more mature buyers. The LS was every bit as good as the Gen1 CTS (Gen2 Catera) but skewed more mature as so the younger buyers LINCOLN and FORD were hoping for never materialized in large enough numbers. Of Course, FORD was of the opinion that they could sell a $50K for only $40 or less. Asking so little for such a great car shows a lack of confidence in their own product and the customer goes looking else where. The argument could be made that if you want t top tier luxury car buy a LINCOLN and if you just want a comfortable car buy a MERCURY. Of course, a special edition FORD will do just as well… and cost about as much as a LINCOLN.
That was more due to the lacking power, only 250Hp for a 4.0L V8. Makes for a super reliable engine but a car of this caliber needs at LEAST 300hp base. FORD should have also opted to race this car against the CTS.
There is no rule saying LINCOLN has to be exactly like CADILLAC to compete against the Europeans. LINOCLN could have been America’s variation of MERCEDES-BENZ, comfort and maturity combined with a high level of technical ability and potential, While CADILLAC is America’s BMW, hot blooded and more sporting.
FORD dropped the ball on the LS. LINCOLN needs to steep up and be that more mature, like that guy that wears business casual even when not at work, brand of AMERICAN Luxury. But “more mature” is not code for “old”. It means you like to button you shirt up to the collar and wear well tailored suits, but you also like to have fun and cut those corners and lay some rubber.
As much as I applaud the MKS, though the ECO-Boost and AWD should have shipped with the car from day one, and that I hope LINCOLN tries to make the MKZ their performance model (I know but what to they have right now?), LIONCOLN needs to be more proactively positioned as a proper top drawer luxury mark. The FALCON has been waiting. That would have been a perfect car to debut as a LINCOLN.
06/02, 1:48 PM
posted by:
A4
man you gotta start writing shorter posts dude
06/02, 2:12 PM
posted by:
gizmo2
I just love all the negativity????? Tell me why I pass 5 or 6 of these very day on a 12 miles drive to work. Not every car need to target younger buyers. Middle age mature and older people do buy cars too and they are normally the one who car afford it.
06/02, 2:14 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
…because you’re passing the same 5 or 6 guys every day?
06/02, 3:02 PM
posted by:
gizmo2
Surprising how the cars change color over night Jonny
06/02, 3:12 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Modern paint technology is an amazing thing!
06/02, 3:45 PM
posted by:
Dwide Schrude
I agree with anyone who says they loved the LS. It was definitely a great looking vehicle and hella fun to drive/drag/donut/burnout. As for this MKS, this car is tits.
06/02, 4:19 PM
posted by:
KarLoveBoy88
The LS was the greatest car Lincoln ever built but this car is a great follow up car. its beautiful. Just be greatful it doesn’t have the large and menacing grill like the upcoming MKT has.
06/02, 4:50 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
I didn’t really mention one of the best aspects of the LS – it’s super freakin’ cheap used. I looked at a V-8 one a couple years ago and I could buy it for less than $20K – this was even when they still had new ones that were the same exact thing stickering for near $50k. I was all set to buy one, then I moved and ended up with something else that could handle the snow. I wish I would have still bought the LS though.
06/02, 5:22 PM
posted by:
Borat
Melias, ever seen maher in any Lincoln? That alone would dilute the title.
06/02, 5:30 PM
posted by:
jayjc08
My biggest concern with the MKS is that it’s Front wheel drive. I’ve seen them in person plenty, and they really are great looking cars. They’re big but not as huge as some of you make them out to be. Classy looking, high quality and unmistakable is what I’d describe the MKS as. But not fun to drive, peppy or hot blooded.
They should have made it Rear wheel drive standard and came out with the car around now, when Ecoboost was a reality. Languishing for two years with no more power than 270 has tarnished it’s image imo.
06/02, 6:43 PM
posted by:
AutoCritical
Hmm, rear parking sensors dont work? And it knocked down a concrete pole, yet still looks good enough to be in a photo shoot! – Nice one!
06/02, 8:39 PM
posted by:
tyler_is_aero_tt
Lincoln should have never discontinued the LS. I’ve seen a few MKS’s on the road and they look nice and all, but it looks just like any other import on the road. The LS was like it’s own kind of car and wasn’t trying to be a Lexus or Acura copy and had a really nice V8. It had very comfortable seats. They should have just given the LS a redesign instead of discontinuing it and having two cars to replace it.
06/02, 11:22 PM
posted by:
psiclone
johnnycanuck
“…because you’re passing the same 5 or 6 guys every day?”
LOL… classic
tyler_is_aero_tt, you are so right.
06/03, 10:14 PM
posted by:
bigp
i love this car.. the ecoboost should be the base prowertrain.. but overall ford has an hit on there hands keep it up..
06/08, 6:53 PM
posted by:
sal500
The S is an awesome car and hard to beat for under 50K. For all the people complaining about 270hp…stop your whining! Its plenty of power for everyday driving. Essshh…Get a Shelby if youre looking for sheer hp. How many times do you use all the avilable power in any car?! Do you take off from all stops at full throttle, and enter highways as fast as you can?!
06/18, 1:15 PM
posted by:
06 impala man
You old Bastards that like the LS or the Continental over this car are the reason Lincoln struggled in the first place. I am 33 and make ok money as an Engineer. 40 grand and I get all this. I was at the lincolon dealershipp earlier this week and looked at it. It is sexy. Yeah I am going to get the AWD version because i hate FWD even though i drive one now. Can’t beat the interior for the money spent. And everyone at the Job has stop and looked either at the Broschure at my cubicle or the wallpaper on my desktop. They have also targeted the right age group as well. 20 year olds don’t usually make the money for it, if they do they are to busy blowing it all on women and booz (loved my 20s) and 40 year olds are trying to save money for their retirement. I am mad I did not know it was out until last month. Lincoln step your marketing up!
06/25, 4:47 PM
posted by:
06 impala man
sal500
QUESTION:
The S is an awesome car and hard to beat for under 50K. For all the people complaining about 270hp…stop your whining! Its plenty of power for everyday driving. Essshh…Get a Shelby if youre looking for sheer hp. How many times do you use all the avilable power in any car?! Do you take off from all stops at full throttle, and enter highways as fast as you can?!
06 impala man
ANSWER:
YES!!!