2010 Lincoln MKT
By Ted West
On Sale: Fall 2009
Expected Pricing: $45,000-$50,000
The day had to come when sales of awkward, inefficient truck-based body-on-frame SUVs would turn downwards. And it's here. Buyers still want the roomy versatility of an SUV, but they are tiring of paying truck prices at the pump and suffering truck-like responsiveness on the road.
Car-based crossover SUVs offer a good compromise, boasting car-like road manners and performance, as well as being vastly more attractive to the eye. And Lincoln is coming out with an all-new cross-over SUV that more than fits the bill.
The brand-new 2010 Lincoln MKT is a star at first glance. With its distinctive, slightly hunchback lines behind the rear door and a huge, toothy smile for a grille, it will be instantly recognizable in the traffic flow. Powered by either a plain 3.7-liter V6 or the deluxe 355-hp twin-turbo 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, and further enhanced with all-wheel drive, it has forceful performance that is a match for all but the hottest high-performance family sedans. But brute-force acceleration is not the whole story with the MKT; it's just a member of the supporting cast.
When we recently drove the twisting, writhing back roads of suburban New York for a day, it became clear that the MKT is an entirely unexpected SUV. Hurried on by the strong EcoBoost engine, the Lincoln seemed completely at home on what would once have been exclusively sports-car roads. Lincoln has gone to great lengths to reduce body roll in turning, and the MKT's shock-absorber tuning kept the vehicle's tires firmly planted on the pavement even at forced cornering speeds. In fact, thanks in no small part to the smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifting, the MKT simply begged to be driven harder into the next corner. Accurate rack-and-pinion steering and powerful brakes encouraged us to keep our feet on the accelerator pedal as long as we dared.
And in no time, the precisely controlled chassis of this Lincoln made us forget all about being in an SUV. Sure, the volume and mass of the MKT denied it, but all our reflexes responded to the strictly controlled behavior of this vehicle as if it were exactly what it felt like: a large, heavy but enthusiastic sports sedan!
Yet together with its winsome road appeal, the MKT fulfills all the luxury duties of a Lincoln. The interior is an attractive cross between a living room on wheels and a room at the club. Real-wood trim gleams elegantly. Everything in the interior is soft to the touch, bespeaking carefully calculated refinement. In the second row, you can choose between a bench (in the seven-seat configuration) or drop one seat and be rewarded with two large, comfortable heated captain's chairs. Also in the rear, not to be missed, is the delicatessen section, featuring a traveling refrigerator.
The MKT also boasts the entire long list of Lincoln connectivity features, including SYNC voice-actuated communication and entertainment systems. In the second row are two separate seatback DVD screens that operate independently, the better to keep your two youngest from fighting over what to watch. Sirius Satellite Radio is standard, and there is an available CD Jukebox feature that lets you store over 100 CDs.
The Lincoln also comes with all the expected safety equipment and protection, including a tire-pressure monitor, so important in a big, heavy vehicle like this.
The MKT with the 3.7-liter V6 and front-wheel drive will sell for $44,200; the same vehicle with all-wheel drive is $46,195. The EcoBoost version with all-wheel drive, standard, will sell for $49,200. Options include adaptive cruise control, a huge sliding Vista Roof, third-row power-fold seating and active park assist.
800-521-4140
www.lincoln.com
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