- 2010
2009 Lincoln MKS
- Used Lincoln MKS
Lincoln MKS - What the Auto Press Says
The 2009 MKS brings Lincoln into competition with foreign luxury car manufacturers at last. The long-overdue replacement for the venerable Lincoln Town Car, the MKS would look at home in a lineup of Infinitis and Lexuses. It is still, however, a bit underpowered next to those competitors, and fully optioned out, may cost more than some more established alternatives.
The MKS is a front-wheel-drive car in a class filled with rear-wheel-drive cars. If you are accustomed to the ride of past Lincolns, the MKS will feel athletic. The Cadillac DTS is the only other true front-wheel-drive luxury sedan, and the last car to offer the gentle, stately ride of older American luxury sedans. But if you're accustomed to the rides of imported luxury cars, or even of newer rear-wheel-drive domestics like the Cadillac STS, Lincoln's big car will probably feel spongy.
Many reviewers also say it feels sluggish, with only a V6 engine offered. Interested buyerrs might want to wait for 2010, when a twin-turbo Ecoboost V6 will be offered in this car.
What the MKS does have going for it is an extensive list of standard equipment. The car comes in two trim levels, front- and all-wheel-drive, but the two boast virtually identical feature lists. Ford's voice-controlled SYNC infotainment system, a pricey option on most Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products, is standard here. Other impressive touches that come at no extra charge include ventilated, heated and cooled front seats and even heated rear seats.
That long list of standard features, however, comes at a hefty standard price. In fact, it's possible to add options to make a Hyundai Genesis or Toyota Avalon every bit as luxurious as the MKS for a lower price.
- "The MKS falls short of being a class leader, but it is a solid effort on Lincoln's part and offers plenty to attract those who are looking for a roomy, comfortable, luxurious, and very well-equipped sedan with classic yet modern styling." -- Automobile Magazine
- "Lincoln's new flagship aims for a contemporary spin on traditional American luxury while still focusing on serene comfort instead of invigorating performance. Despite a generous list of standard luxury features and some unique high-tech gadgetry, MKS's overall refinement trails luxury-class leaders" -- Consumer Guide
- "A mix of modern features and accessories puts the 2009 Lincoln MKS a step ahead of some rivals, but subpar performance and a steep MSRP make it hard to say where this new model fits in." -- Edmunds
- "The MKS's competitors? Think Lexus GS, think Acura RL, think Cadillac CTS, and to some extent, the Volvo S80." -- Motor Trend
- "It's the kind of car Lincoln should be doing, a king-size, no-apologies American luxury sedan. The same approach served Chrysler well with its 300, a big hit just four years ago." -- New York Times
- "Lincoln aimed for a base hit here, and by God they got one." -- The Truth About Cars
MKS Performance - 7.1 (Good)
Many reviewers consider the MKS underpowered, and say that while its handling is an improvement over the Town Car it replaces, it still trails most of its class. The New York Times explains, "The MKS excuses itself from backroad competition, preferring to focus on space, smoothness and amenities." That opinion may change with the 2010 model, which will offer an optional turbocharged engine. Read More
MKS Exterior - 8.7 (Very Good)
The 2009 MKS is a much more current, well-proportioned car than the Town Car it replaces. Some reviewers say its lines are too derivative, so the car doesn't really distinguish itself from similarly-priced Lexus and Infiniti models - but a Lincoln that's easily confused with a Lexus is something new and exciting in Detroit Read More
MKS Interior - 8.4 (Very Good)
Lincoln focused a lot of time and money on developing the MKS' interior, and many reviewers say the investment shows. The cabin features abundant technology and well-planned ergonomics. The luxury feel, however, is marred by some below-grade switches and hard plastics. Consumer Guide comments, "Rich-looking leather and soft-touch surfaces abound...however, the upscale ambiance is compromised by some obvious hard plastic trim pieces." Read More
MKS Safety - 9.7 (Excellent)
The 2009 Lincoln MKS receives near-perfect scores in both government and insurance industry crash tests. Read More
MKS Reliability - 6.0 (Mediocre)
The 2009 Lincoln MKS reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). Lincoln offers a four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty on all its cars. Read More
