2007 Lincoln MKX

O, Continental, Where Art Thou?
By Allyson Harwood

The most anticipated duo of the group was the Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX. The drapes were taken off both, revealing good-looking crossovers--a breath of fresh air from Ford. And at first glance, the MKX had all the right elements. It's powered by a capable 265-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6, an engine we hadn't yet seen in a Ford product. Backing that six is a six-speed automatic transmission and a four-link independent suspension. But the execution wasn't what we'd hoped.

This is not a performance vehicle. Zero to 60 came in 7.9 seconds, and the MKX completed the quarter mile in 16.1 at 85.6 mph, both midpack numbers. It became evident that Advance Trac with Roll Stability Control was a force to be reckoned with. It couldn't be shut off, and the nanny was overly intrusive in turns. The transmission has no manumatic mode, merely Drive, O/D Off, and Low. It just doesn't let you get to all six gears. The suspension felt floaty and wallowy, but had a slightly firmer ride, as evidenced by the MKX's 1.2-mph-faster slalom time than the Edge's. Brake feel was also disappointing, and its 144-foot stopping distance ranked as one of the worst in the test.

The strongest thing the Lincoln has going for it is its cabin. Leather is soft and the color scheme separates it from the Ford. Gauges are retro-styled, which add some charm. However, the rear seats aren't comfortable enough to give adults a pleasant place to sit over the long haul. There isn't enough lateral support, and the cushions are too hard and flat.

The 14-speaker THX surround-sound system is certainly something worth listening to, though a Lincoln should represent more than just an option package above Ford. It has eye-catching styling cues, but that's not enough to reinvent Lincoln. This could've been a crossover with power and attitude; instead, it's a highway cruiser and a near miss.

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