lincoln mkx 2011 images gallery

Once upon a time, a car's mid-model cycle refresh -- even a fairly significant one -- was little more than a gussying-up to keep the old gal selling until the new model came out. A new grille here, a fancy set of wheels there -- and everybody'd cross his fingers and string up extra balloons over the lot. Well, the folks in Dearborn have been flipping this on its head recently, with mid-cycle revamps that are at least as interesting as their original introductions. The latest Mustang and Fusion mid-cycle updates? In my book, more interesting.

In other words, Lincoln inadvertently set something of a trap for itself when we were invited to Washington, D.C., to drive the significantly refresh of the Ford Edge-based MKX. (As an aside, our driving routes had us repeatedly driving past the Lincoln Memorial, reminding us of exactly who Ford's premium brand was named after.)

2011 Lincoln MKX Side View
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So, does the MKX maintain Ford's remarkable model-update batting average?

Not quite... but it's close. And that may simply be because it happens to find itself in a vehicular category that's inherently less interesting than nimble sedans or coupes. Judged against its crossover contemporaries, however -- and Lincoln offered up the segment's sales leader, the Lexus RX 350, for back-to-back comparisons -- it's damn competitive. Quieter at cruising speeds, quick when given the stick, cool-sounding at full throttle, handsomely finished inside, boldly styled outside, and packed tight with electronics that are so sophisticated you'll need to consult a 13-year-old to understand them.

2011 Lincoln MKX Rear
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And although I think the MKX's real pay dirt is those electronics, let's first get out of the way what's changed with the old-fashioned oily bits. Newly residing under its hood is a 305-horsepower V-6, a 3.7-liter swapped into the hole left by last year's 265-horse, 3.5 liter. Moreover, it's now attached to a fingertip-shiftable six-speed automatic (just the thing for shifty sorts) with, betwixt them, a tighter-coupled torque converter. In other words, the MKX is not only 15 percent more powerful, but it's more receptive to your shifting and throttling whims. Nevertheless, its mileage has improved by 1 mpg, meaning -- according to Lincoln -- it's simultaneously the most powerful and fuel-frugal V-6 offering in its category.

lincoln mkx 2011

lincoln mkx 2011 car
lincoln mkx 2011 image
lincoln mkx 2011