Strengths

American-made, mid-priced luxury; distinctive design; new EcoBoost engine available

 

Changes

The MKS was new for 2009, so the 2010 model received little more than a freshening, design-wise. The big news for 2010 is the available EcoBoost engine paired with an all-wheel drive system, which delivers V8 power out of a V6 engine, according to Lincoln. Active parallel parking assist, a collision warning system, and a major upgrade to the voice-activated Microsoft SYNC system are all new options for 2010.

 

Value

The MKS is a full-sized sedan, and utilizes a platform shared with the Ford Taurus, with a very roomy interior and tons of technology that is new for Lincoln, such as keyless entry and adaptive cruise control, items usually found on much higher-priced luxury sedans. The EcoBoost engine improves both performance--by 75 hp--and fuel economy, though the EPA has yet to release figures for 2010.

 

Overview

Three variants of the MKS are available for 2010: the 3.7-liter V6 with front-wheel or all-wheel drive, and the 3.5-liter turbocharged EcoBoost engine with all-wheel drive only. The smaller engine produces 350 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque, as compared to 273 hp and 270 ft-lbs of torque from the normally aspirated 3.7-liter. All versions use a 6-speed automatic transmission that can be upgraded to use steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

The MKS uses a Macpherson strut in the front and independent rear suspension for luxury-level ride comfort, plus 4-wheel disc brakes, ABS, tire-pressure monitoring, traction control, reverse sensing system, and electronic stability control. A rearview camera and adaptive cruise control are available. Eighteen-inch wheels are standard, but nineteen and twenty inchers are available as options.

The interior is nicely appointed, with genuine wood trim throughout. Front seats are heated and cooled, and adjustable 12 ways, plus lumbar support; even the rear seats are heated. Microsoft's standard SYNC system received upgrades for 2010 to take it beyond answering the phone and choosing a song-it now can offer turn-by-turn directions and real-time traffic conditions. The standard 6-speaker stereo has an in-dash 6-disc changer and MP3 capability, plus Sirius satellite radio, but it can be upgraded to a 14-speaker system, which includes two subwoofers.

The EcoBoost option also adds exclusive luxury seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 20-inch chrome wheels, and a slightly different grille, rear spoiler and rear fascia.