2007 Lincoln MKX First Drive

Introduction

Lincoln MKX - 2007 First Drive: The all-new 2007 Lincoln MKX crossover SUV made its strongest impression in the dark. The misty neon blue interior illumination was an unexpected surprise as we drove through a series of daylight-challenged tunnels and through fog and rain along the high-elevation Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s a small thing, but in a field packed with stiff competition, small things matter. The market is packed with crossovers like the MKX, which offer car-like ride and handling to consumers who need a large, all-weather multipurpose vehicle, but don’t want the truck-like feel and thirsty engines in traditional SUVs. The MKX brings classy styling and a solid dose of modern luxury at competitive price for today’s business-class market.

Origins

Ford and its Lincoln division are banking heavily on the rapidly expanding crossover utility segment, which the company predicts will represent some 3 million vehicles by 2010. The 2007 Lincoln MKX is aimed at the heart of the luxury end of this growing marketplace. It is a derivative of the Ford Fusion platform, which itself is derived from the current Mazda6 sedan. This vehicle architecture was designed to accommodate both front- and all-wheel-drive configurations. Not surprisingly, the MKX offers upmarket style and trim compared to the Ford Edge – essentially the same vehicle in a non-luxury version – and is designed as a competitor against vehicles like the Lexus RX 350 and other luxury crossovers.

Model Mix

The 2007 Lincoln MKX comes in two trims, FWD and AWD, both powered by a 265-horsepower V6 connected to a six-speed automatic transmission. Major standard equipment includes leather upholstery, eight-way power driver and front passenger seats with lumbar, a six-speaker six-CD audio system, automatic headlights, fog lamps, and a comprehensive airbag system (front, front side-impact, curtains). The Ultimate Package features items such as adaptive headlights, ten-way power front seat adjustment with heating and cooling, driver seat/mirror memory, a power liftgate, reverse sensors and power folding second row seats. The Elite package groups a panoramic sun roof, DVD navigation, and a THX-certified sound system with SIRIUS satellite radio. Standalone options include a rear DVD entertainment system, rear heated seats and a trailer package.