2007 Lincoln MKX First Drive & Full Report
Our first drive will soon be published. Stay tuned to post your comments about the article here.
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First Drive: 2007 Lincoln MKX
I can't fathom a reason to buy this car. The Ford is $5000 to $8000 cheaper, equipped the same, it looks much better from the front, though the Lincoln does look nicer from the rear and the powertrain is identical. Like MT said, "A Lincoln should be more than just an option package above a Ford".
The Lexus seems to be in no trouble with this 10 year late Mazda-based wannabe. When you gonna start building real Lincolns again, Lincoln?
As for the price difference, I'd have a hard time justifying the extra cost since the Edge offers Nav and the Vista Roof and I like the Edge styling. It sounds like they priced down from the RX350 instead of up from the Edge. Since they're not trying to sell 100K of these it might work. If it does I say more power to them. The profits will get us that much closer to a new RWD platform for Lincoln.
The subjective things like grille treatment, interior or exterior design I usually ignore. In the case of the MKX, I happen to like the grille and the exterior. I'm not so keen on the interior design. Since I see more of the interior behind the wheel, that might be enough of a turnoff.
As to interior build quality, I haven't seen the RX350, but if the interior is on par with the ES350, I can well believe the Lincoln's interior isn't up to snuff. It's probably close enough that the $3000 price difference mentioned in the article would induce me to buy it over the Lexus, though (that, and the fact that I'm going to resist the urge to join the Toyota/Lexus crowd).
Objectively, the braking distance is distressing. That might be a deal killer, over the Lexus.
All that said, I think the most significant statement comes at the end, when comparing it to the Edge. The MKX's nicer exterior isn't enough to offset the price difference there, and I would really have to be impressed with the ride quality and other intangibles of the Lincoln to buy it over the Ford.
How about comparing the Emm Kay Exx against the Pacifica? How does it measure up then? I'm just askin. A friend has one and it's quite a nice car.
After I wrote my reply this AM, I realized the same might be said about my Navigator. I mean that it's not that much different from the Expedition it is based on. But it is different enough in two important areas that made it worth the price difference for me - It has a more powerful engine and it has a beautiful interior. The Emm Kay Exx has the same drivetrain as the Edge and basically the same interior, just appointed a bit differently.
Although I do realize that in this market nit-picking is important, the real world is based mostly on price and quality. That is where Ford will make or break this entry into the burgining crossover market.
for those who have commented that since it's cheaper than the RX350, it'd sway your decision. Well, why not save even more and get the Ford Edge?
Unfortunately, like the Zephyr before it, it debuts with the same drivetrain as it's Ford counterpart. It will be replaced with the 3.7L which will give it more differentiation.
Like I said - I'm not convinced that it's worth the $5K premium over the Edge, and I like the Edge styling. But it is quite a bit more than a rebadge job.
Come on guy.
I have to say I prefer this exterior style over the Lexus, even though they are so much similar, I actually like the grill on this one.
I'm trying to decide on which vehicle to go with. I'll probably stop in to a local Lexus dealer and take an extended look at the RX.
One of the drawbacks for that vehicle though is that everyone and their brother owns one. I'm not trying to be flashy, but I would like to get something that doesn't blend in amongst the others quite so easily.
You must live in L.A. (310, left coast. I get it.) Now if you lived in Detroit (313tocenter?), the RX would be the rare bird.
Twitter: @Edmunds_Test
Actually I live in NC. Asheville to be exact, I'm originally from Boston though. The 310toLeft is a reference to the left-field dimension of Fenway Park.
Down here you can't spit without hitting an RX model.
That said, I've always admired and would recommend you try the FX350 aswell if you can live with a little less interior space. They're a blast to drive and in my opinion, styled very differently the the rest.
Thanks Drjames. The more research I've been doing it looks like I might wind up going with the RX.
I took an FX350 for a spin on Friday, and although the drive was great, I'm really not fond of the exterior design. A little too much like a station wagon for my taste.
Thanks again.
Think about it a little guys the MKX is quieter, smoother(MKX has a 6 speed transmision while both FX350 & RX330 have 5 speeds) and cheaper in price as well as cost in gas (needs only regular 87 octane to get 265 hp while both FX & RX need ultra premium for thier hp ratings.
All this adds up for any person who wants to pose that their rich, and lets face it any car in the $40-$50,000 range is no longer a "rich" mans car.
Might want to check your figures again. The FWD MKX base is $34,795 and the AWD MKX base is $36,445. Whereas the FWD FX350 base starts at $37,800 and AWD FX350 base starts at $39,300. Not quite $5000 dollars and exactly in line with the price of the RX350, which if you didn't know is who Lincoln IS comparing their MKX with.
Like anyone should listen to anything you say after you quoted a price on a "FWD FX350"? Get a clue.
I'm still trying to figure out that one.
Meanwhile, let's get back to what the editors said about the SUV eh? You know, the topic? :surprise:
thanks!
Edmunds.com: MKX: $34,000
Edge: $25,000
The Edge is less than the Murano so maybe it's underpriced.
they may share an engine, but the MKZ still uses the Aisin tranny.
The Edge uses the new 6F tranny developed by Ford and GM.
I have driven both vehicles and the MKX is MUCH smoother shifting than the MKZ. It feels just like a CVT it is so smooth.
Mark.
Mark.
As to interior quality difference between the two, the RX is very nice, not as nice as an LS or LX, but it's good. IMO, the Lincoln comes close in most areas. Seats may be superior to the RX in leather quality and they are cooled - a big deal for those of us crazy to live in the South. The MKX has some nice features the RX lacks besides the cooled seats - speakers for the THX stereo in the roof in the back, the mega-sunroof. It is lacking two very important features however, Bluetooth, and adjustable pedals. These are fatal errors for someone like me. The RX however, has no adjustable pedals either, and Bluetooth is probably available, but only with Navigation. No luxury car should be without it, with cell phone legislation out of control as it is.
The MKX IS quieter than the RX by quite a bit. No decibel meter is needed, you can hear the difference easily. I don't like the instruments in the MKX at all, they are archaic, retro - in a very bad way, IMO. Otherwise, the interior is quite attractive. The wood is high quality with thick verithane stuff on it. Looks nice and durable. The RX has none of these touches.
As to the drive, they both drive very intuitively and easily. The RX sits higher, seems a little more stately, the MKX feels flatter, but is very comfy. And, the MKX is built right - no rattles, no flaws, no issues. Perfectly made out the door. We'll see how it holds up.
Best of luck to Ford - the effort is noticeable to me in this car. Will I trade my LS430 for it? Nope. Would I trade my Explorer for it? Maybe......
Ford should NOT be scrimping on safety at this stage, but they are. Will the 2008s have better brakes? 2009? Ever? Probably not unless:
1) A lot of people get in rear-enders because panic braking couldnt stop them in time and they SUE Ford, that's one thing Ford understands is lawyers. - or -
2) People who should know better STOP saying - 'gee the brakes feel fine to me going to and from 7-11' and say instead "HEY FORD - why cant you build a CUV with brakes as good as a Korean car or a [non-permissible content removed] car or even a GM?"
I agree with you about the stupid guages. You forgot to mention the stupid shifter. I guess you didnt notice the hard tupperware plastic they used on the door panels?
And it's nice of you to wish Ford luck - especially since you wouldnt trade a competitor's car for the Lincoln, but you might trade a Ford for it.
Oh, and if u want bluetooth and that kind of luxury stuff, look at an expensive luxury car like say a Nissan Altima, which has as much tech as any Lincoln.
True - however, none of it works properly in the Nissan, and the quality is poor.... Nissans ain't what they used to be before Renault bought 'em.
And your attitude! Really :surprise:
19th is lower than Chevy, Buick, even Kia and Hyundai!
Mark.
- Too heavy. (Heavier than Edge)
- Too much lousy plastic inside. Interior inferior to most competition.
- Satin-nickel == silver paint on black Ford switchgear.
- Only D-L for transmission. Does not work well.
- Same engine as Ford. (Slower than Edge)
- Seats less comfortable than Edge.
- Body roll. Oh and, Drum roll .....
The brakes S_CK. I quote "... it's a mystery that such braking performance ever made it out of the gates of the proving ground."
My sentiments exactly.
Great review.
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