Midsize SUV takes aim at its German rivals
What is it?
The quick and easy answer is that Lincoln’s 2016 MKX is the new-for-’15 Ford Edge wearing lipstick and some fancy duds. Dig a little deeper though and the changes are many. No body panel or interior piece is shared between the two, and the
The new MKX has many goodies, as should an SUV aimed at the affluent. There are no overworked four-cylinders available to haul the 4,447-pounder around. Base engine is the tried-and-true 3.7-liter six making 300 hp, while the optional engine is Ford’s 2.7-liter twin-turbo six as in our tester. Output is up 65 hp on the class-leading Lexus RX. So there’s that. There’s also Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection (helping earn the X the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s overall 5-Star crash rating); a dynamite interior with terrific materials and build quality; optional 22-way adjustable front buckets; and last but certainly not least the Revel stereo, developed with Harman, offered in 13- and 19-speaker forms. Harman went so far as to employ professional listeners — an occupation we’d not heard of — to help develop the system, starting work on it back when the MKX was still a clay model. Lordy, it sounds good.
The MKX is the first Lincoln to offer the Revel audio system.
What’s it like to drive?
When the Lincoln peeps dropped the new MKX off at Autoweek HQ, they said one goal was “quiet luxury,” a clichéd phrase we suspect automakers sometimes use when they don’t know how else to describe their latest and greatest luxowhatever; but these guys weren’t kiddin’ around: This baby cruises down the road with the best out there in terms of quietness and smoothness. The X really shines on the freeway, where there’s little to no tire and/or wind noise — at 70, 75, 80 mph. The thing is whisper quiet, quieter then most other SUVs we can think of. Sound-deadening efforts such as active-noise control and laminated glass really paid off. It’s calming.
Meanwhile, the 2.7-liter EcoBoost six delivered a nice mix of throttle response, refinement and power.
The drive modes — normal, sport and comfort — do indeed make a difference, performing as they’re labeled, adjusting suspension and steering effort. We found the softer comfort mode best around
The interior is a fantastic place to spend time — comfortable, beautifully built, good looking, and the materials look and feel great. Having push-button shift rather than a gear lever frees up center-console space, or at least gives that impression. Is it the best interior among
Back to the stereo for a sec: The sound is crisp and clear. There’s traditional stereo sound, as well as Audience and On Stage, the latter two designed to make you feel like you’re at a concert in the front row or playing in the band. Lincoln called it “the best audio system in the business.” Having not tried each and every one back to back, we don’t know if we’d go that far, but it does sound killer, as the kids say.
The MKX offers 21-inch brushed aluminum wheels.
Do I want one?
Well, it’s a nicely done, good-looking crossover, inside and out. We’re guessing that in addition to the above-mentioned RX, Lincoln is also eyeballing the BMW X5 and perhaps the just-launched Volvo XC90. Maybe the Acura MDX, too. Against those, we think the competitively priced MKX has a fighting chance.
