2009 Lincoln MKS - First Drive Review

Ford has been beset by tribulations of biblical proportions in recent years, excepting perhaps a plague of locusts. Once one of the world’s most admired and important corporations, its stock has been hammered down to where Ford’s capitalization is about a tenth of Apple’s. And the bad news goes on from there. Among Ford’s many problems is what to do with its ailing Lincoln division. For whatever reasons—cost, neglect, or both—Ford has starved Lincoln of compelling new vehicles while its competitors (namely Cadillac) have flooded the market with attractive and competitive rear-drive models that have all but pushed Lincoln out of the luxury category.

Finally, after years of dithering, Lincoln is making a serious attempt to regain its status as a purveyor of luxury automobiles with the MKS, a sedan that’s aimed directly at the so-called mid-luxury segment, in particular targeting such models as the Lexus GS350, Infiniti M35, and Cadillac STS.


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DaHarder - 6/9/2008 11:05:47 PM

+2 Boost

Certainly An Attractive Design, But FoMoCo's D-Platform Is Hardly Groundbreaking, And It's Going To Take Substantially More Than A Re-Bodied Taurus/500 To Seriously Compete In This Market... We'll See

chewy - 6/10/2008 2:12:56 AM

+3 Boost

agree, the styling is very nice

EnnNorak - 6/10/2008 9:47:14 AM

+1 Boost

Yes it's attractive, but I'm going to rain on Ford's parade by stating that , for me, the promise of the Lincoln brand includes a DOHC direct injection V8 engine and RWD with LSD..

S4cabriofoxone - 6/9/2008 11:23:08 PM

+1 Boost

I still don't understand why anybody in their right mind would buy this over an Acura RL, Lexus ES or Volvo S80.

bmwdrvr - 6/10/2008 12:32:47 AM

+2 Boost

exactly why anyone buy any of those cars.....the ES i can understand for one ITS NOT IN THAT CLASS...that and its relatively cheap given its size and features if you like that kind of thing....but the RL is a stretched accord literally that is priced against V8 cars with a slow V6 and questionable interior plastics...and the S80 is no better than the Lincoln MKS sharing its platform with the S40 which intern is a ford focus...I prefer the interior styling of the S80 over these cars but outside is extremely bland worse than the ES...at least the oversized MKS looks good....but those mentioned really are the bottom of the pack

ghosthunter - 6/10/2008 1:47:20 AM

0 Boost

I thought RL is based on its MDX drive train (or the other way around) , while TL is based on Accord Drive Train.

Rupert - 6/10/2008 6:31:52 AM

+1 Boost

The S80 does not share a platform with the S40 or Ford Focus. It shares a platform with the Ford Mondeo, Volvo V70, Land Rover LR2, Ford Galaxy, Ford S-Max and the upcoming Volvo XC60.
The Lincoln is on the same platform as the old S80, the Mercury Montego, the Ford Freestyle, the Taurus and the 500. I think the Lincoln's on the worse platform.

S4cabriofoxone - 6/11/2008 12:57:40 AM

+1 Boost

204E60, I wouldn't buy any of those cars either (they're boring), but obviously there is a market for them and this is simply not the best choice. It will flop.

Chip - 6/10/2008 12:01:11 AM

+1 Boost

But does this car help Lincoln in the slightest? In my eyes, no. It just doesn't move Lincoln into the future like most other brands are currently doing.

They have the all but dead Navigator, the struggling MKX, the never going away Towncar, and the bland but alright MKZ.

They're next on the chopping block IMO.

Chip - 6/10/2008 12:17:32 AM

+2 Boost

I thought so too, but Lincoln is still selling 2008 models.

TauronB2G - 6/10/2008 12:20:38 AM

0 Boost

Even though gas is at an all time high I still think it needs a V8 to be taken seriously. I would like to see a slightly more upscale interior with more wood and a sport package with some exclusive features. I like the marketing campaign though.
T

LACMAN - 6/10/2008 4:40:06 AM

+2 Boost

While this vehicle may be "decent", the fact still remains that Lincoln is crying for product. I cant begin to tell you all how dissapointed I am in Ford for not letting them [Lincoln] have their way.

I hate the way Ford has teased us with Lincoln's concepts starting from the 2002 Continental concept all the way up to the MKR. In my opinion, the MKT crossover may be the last chance and it must be executed better than this to put Lincoln back on.

Maybe if the "Eco-boost" engine was available upon launch (with the gas crisis b.s. going on) this vehicle would have been an immediate hit on that alone...

Rupert - 6/10/2008 6:34:14 AM

-1 Boost

The interior looks awful.

Audiphile - 6/10/2008 9:24:33 AM

+2 Boost

Remember that this is not a car designed for enthusiasts like us. However, when they put that 340-hp twin-turbo V6 under the bonnet, this car might warrant a second look.

Ford is doing as much as it can right now regarding new product. GM is doing a better job. Chrysler is doing a worse job.

However, compared with the Mercury marque, Lincoln is sitting pretty!

Whelan - 6/10/2008 11:17:37 AM

+1 Boost

Ford is weening away from the V8s. The next gen Mustang is coming with a turbo 6 offering as well. 8's are nice engines, but they can only be made to be so efficient. Considering most modern engines already are running at their highest points, one can't help but think that the offering of a low production RWD V8 with 390hp would be nice.

I mean hell! If Hyundai can do it, why couldn't Lincoln

MZauto - 6/10/2008 11:54:53 AM

+2 Boost

It's kind of late in the game.

mini22 - 6/10/2008 12:22:10 PM

+1 Boost

With gas now going over $4.00 a gallon the V8 will soon be on life support.I think you're going to see a lot more Luxury vehicles coming out with V6's or diesel's.So I don't think the 3.7 V6 was a bad move in retrospect.I know that Hyundai just came out with the V8 Genesis. However I predict that model will be short lived in today's economy. By next year I think the Genesis will be selling more V6's then V8's. So when you take away the V8 equation and the fact that most American buyers do not take their luxury vehicles to the track the MKS competes with Acura,Lexus and Infiniti and Hyundai. When the eco V6 comes out next yr it will be even more competative. I think it's a good looking car.

TauronB2G - 6/10/2008 12:56:20 PM

+1 Boost

There are quite a few cars out there over 35K without V8's. Heck all your BMW's are.
T

S4cabriofoxone - 6/11/2008 12:59:44 AM

0 Boost

I would say that at least 2/3 of all cars over $35,000 don't have eight-cylinder engines.

mini22 - 6/10/2008 4:43:36 PM

+2 Boost

Start with the bottom of the barrel BMW 128I with typical options and you're over 35 grand.How about an Infiniti G37.Top rung Cadillac CTS is over 40 grand.An Audi A4 sedan with the turbo 4 reasonbly loaded is.Shall I go on?........

Intensity007 - 1/5/2009 12:41:20 PM

+1 Boost

The design language looks familiar. Check this out and tell me if you agree:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6c/%2779_Pontiac_LeMans.jpg