2010 Lincoln MKS - A Luxury Sedan with Eco Boost Efficiency

The Lincoln MKS is based on the Ford Taurus, a car whose full-size dimensions mean more interior room than most of the midsize offerings in the luxury-sedan segment. New for 2010, the Lincoln MKS gets Ford's newest V-6 engine: a twin-turbocharged, direct-injected V-6. Other updates include an updated Sync system, available adaptive cruise control and a self-parking system. The Lincoln MKS is a full-size luxury sedan that has been engineered and designed to be very clean and elegant. The MKS incorporates all the top-grade luxury items that many have grown to expect from Lincoln. Furthermore, the MKS is available in front-wheel or all-wheel drive. Standard features include LED tail lamps, premium heated/cooled seats, heated rear seats, HID headlamps, and SYNC hands-free communications and entertainment system. The Lincoln MKS luxury sedan competes with the Acura RL, Infiniti M and Cadillac STS.

MKS Power

The Lincoln MKS is available with one of two V6 engines. Power of the 2010 MKS comes from a 3.7-liter V6 engine, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that features Select-Shift with paddle activation. All-wheel drive is available with the new 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost engine. The engine incorporates twin-turbochargers and direct-injection, which results in V8 power while maintaining the fuel economy of an efficient V6. One way the MKS differs from the Taurus is its unique engine, the 3.7-liter V-6.  It works with a six-speed automatic transmission. The new EcoBoost, twin-turbocharged, direct-injected V-6 powertrain is new for 2010. The engine has the power output of a 4.6-liter V-8, but with V-6 fuel economy. According to Ford, the EcoBoost V-6 will achieve 16/25 mpg city/highway. The EcoBoost powertrain comes standard with all-wheel drive.

2010 Lincoln MKS Design

Although the MKS has the same underpinnings of the Ford Taurus, Lincoln has done quite a bit to differentiate its version. Styling elements include Lincoln's trademark waterfall grille. The MKS's styling and presence are pure Lincoln, bold, sturdy, impressive. The aggressive boat prow-like grille of the MKS recalls the classic pre-war Lincoln Continental; yet in the same gesture, this stands as a symbol of the new Lincoln's aggressive thrust into the 21st century. The MKS has a dynamic stance that seems ready to pounce. As befits a full-size American luxury sedan, the MKS makes generous use of chrome highlighting, supported by understated side sculpting in profile view. The MKS, with its overall length of 204.1 inches and dignified height of 61.6 inches, is a fully found luxury sedan that will surely earn its place in valet parking. However, as with many luxury sedans that aspire to sleekness its handsomely rounded forms leave it the impression of being smaller than it really is. The MKS features a refueling receptacle that eliminates the messiness of a gas cap. Around back, the taillights flow toward a high bumper. There are chrome elements on the window frames, door sills and outlines on the lower air dam.

Inside the MKS

 The cabin of the 2010 Lincoln MKS offers luxury at a great price, and it comes with lots of leather; it covers the seats, door panels and dashboard. For 2010, an updated Sync system provides real-time traffic, turn-by-turn navigation, and news and sports updates. The navigation system features a bright, eight-inch screen. The industry-leading Lincoln connectivity allows you to monitor the local weather in real time, locate gas stations and otherwise stay in touch with the outside world. The navigation system operates in both three-dimensional mode and map view. The premium-quality THX II sound system and satellite-radio accessibility of Ultimate Package-equipped MKS offers concert surround-sound. And using Ford's voice-activated Sync system makes communication and entertainment easy. There are benefits of the quality of the system and the quality of the sound-deadening of the cabin. Second-row riders will enjoy the MKS as much as those in the front row. The rear seats offer capacious ease of entry and segment-leading spaciousness. The rear-seat cushions, while soft and comfortable, are not terribly supportive, but the rear seatbacks more than make up for this l. The MKS' passenger volume totals 105.9 cubic feet. That beats the Cadillac STS (102.9), Acura RL (99.1) and Infiniti M (105.2). The difference is most noticeable in the backseat.

2010 MKS Handling

The MKS handles any situation with confident and ease, whether at interstate speeds or through the town.  Its four-valve 3.7-liter V6 produces an ample 273 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque gives more than enough to deliver long, effortless service life at highway speeds. The MKS stands out with exemplary 24-mpg EPA Highway rating. Given the MKS's stand-up character, the choice of engine and performance seems just right. It is in the area of chassis dynamics that the MKS comes up short. The steering effort of the MKS is remarkably firm, which in most sport-sedan cases implies an enthusiast character. With the MKS, however, road feel communicated through this firm steering in curving terrain is muted, almost non-existent. And the ride motions of the car are stubborn and somewhat lurching, yielding little road information or driving pleasure. This is not to say that the MKS is in any way hazardous. On a curvy road, its chassis is simply not much fun to drive.

Conclusions

Safety features include dual-stage front airbags plus seat-mounted side airbags for head and torso protection, as well as safety-belt pretensioners and load-limiting retractors. The Occupant Classification System's sensor automatically determines by weight whether the front passenger seat is empty, occupied by a child seat or by a small, medium or large occupant and deploys the airbag accordingly. Active safety features include anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control, standard. Optional safety features include all-wheel drive and a rearview camera that can help the driver spot a child behind the car when backing up. The MKS for 2010 is now available with the fuel saving Eco-Boost engine. In addition the MKS can be outfitted with all wheel drive - adding stability to those in areas with slippery roads. Overall, the MKS, with its leather clad cabin and smooth highway driving is an excellent value. For more reserach read a test drive by Car and Driver of the 2010 Lincoln MKS.