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2009 Lincoln MKS Bottom Line

November 7, 2008

By Rex Roy's avatar Rex Roy, Detroit EditorRex Roy

Experts from TheCarConnection.com were among the first journalists to drive the Lincoln MKS. These experiences, plus our reviews of other trusted opinions from the Web, enable TheCarConnection.com team to offer you a definitive opinion on this luxurious sedan from Detroit. This review also compares the 2009 Lincoln MKS with other vehicles in its class in order to give you the best advice, even when other reviews present conflicting opinions.

Likes:

  • Modern yet classic styling
  • Exceptional list of standard features
  • Remarkably quiet ride
  • Dynamic enough for the class

Dislikes:

  • Odd front headrest position
  • Steering wheel doesn't telescope out far enough
  • Looking forward to more powerful EcoBoost turbo engine [this engine is not mentioned anywhere in the text]

Buying Tips:


Since Ford’s SYNC system is standard on the 2009 Lincoln MKS, you might bring your audio player or phone on the test drive to see if they’re compatible with the unique, voice-controlled system.

The 2009 Lincoln MKS is new for Ford’s upscale brand, though its basic running gear links it to a large family of Ford products, including the new Volvo S80, as well as the current Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, and Volvo XC90.

The 2009 Lincoln MKS's distinctive styling sets it apart from its close kin. The MKS is the first production Lincoln to use the division's new grille design, which the company previewed on the MKS and MKT auto show concept vehicles. The winged design reaches back to Edsel Ford's 1941 Continental and gives the newest Lincoln a welcome bit of character that's grounded in something other than a designer's imagination. Inside, the MKS’s combination of clean lines, luxurious materials, and lighter trim colors plants it squarely in the Lexus idiom of luxury, instead of the darker, more somber German sphere.

A new 275-horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6 powers the MKS. The engine performs adequately, with a high degree of smoothness and little noise or fuss. While premium fuel is required to hit the 275-hp mark, using regular fuel delivers a still healthy helping of horsepower with no change in fuel economy (17/24 mpg for front-wheel drive and 16/23 mpg for all-wheel drive).

The new Lincoln's six-speed automatic is seen in other Ford products such as the Edge, but has been thoroughly recalibrated for this upscale installation. In the MKS, the transmission includes a sport mode as well as manual shift capabilities. Throughout the hills of Virginia just outside of Washington, D.C., with the transmission in the sport setting, the gearbox shifted aggressively. Its performance was close to anticipatory and did an excellent job of keeping the Lincoln in the right gear at the right time—just what an automatic transmission should do.

Another bright spot for the 2009 MKS is its chassis. The MKS features a totally new multilink rear suspension (not shared with the Ford Taurus or any Volvo) with coil-over shocks and a retuned front strut suspension, then bolts them both to a reinforced chassis that is 35 percent stiffer than that of the current Taurus. The resulting ride is Goldilocks taut: not too soft and not too hard, even with the optional 20-inch wheels. Steering response is quick, and when driving at street speeds, the understeer one expects from a largish front-wheel-drive sedan is totally absent. The MKS is also available with all-wheel drive.

The safety equipment you'd expect to see in a car of this caliber is all present and accounted for: multiple airbags, stability control, and so on. While the 2009 Lincoln MKS has not been tested, the related Ford Taurus scored very well in government crash testing.

Pricing starts at around $38,000 for a front-wheel-drive MKS without any fancy options—but including standard features as heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, Ford’s SYNC entertainment system, and HID headlamps—and runs up to $46,000 for a decked-out, all-wheel-drive edition.

Other Choices:

If you’re interested in the 2009 Lincoln MKS, also consider:

Reason Why:

The Lexus GS was the bogie for Lincoln, and the 2009 Lincoln MKS certainly hits the mark in terms of quietness. Lincoln claims to be even quieter than the Lexus in certain important frequency ranges. The Lincoln MKS is also on the mark in terms of performance. Like the Lexus GS and the Acura RL, the MKS is powered by a six-cylinder (in addition, Lexus offers a V-8 and a hybrid). The car targets a more luxury- and technology-minded audience with its myriad of features. The rear-wheel-drive Cadillac CTS and STS have a more sporting demeanor, and you could shop either against the MKS, depending on how much room you're looking for. The Cadillac STS offers a V-8 for those who want more power.

The Bottom Line:

The 2009 Lincoln MKS’s smart performance, subdued good looks, and roomy interior put the brand back in full-size, luxury-sedan territory.

Experts from TheCarConnection.com were among the first journalists to drive the Lincoln MKS. These experiences, plus our reviews of other trusted opinions from the Web, enable TheCarConnection.com team to offer you a definitive opinion on this luxurious sedan from Detroit. This review also compares the 2009 Lincoln MKS with other vehicles in its class in order to give you the best advice, even when other reviews present conflicting opinions. Likes:Modern yet classic stylingExceptional list of standard featuresRemarkably quiet rideDynamic enough for the classDislikes:Odd front headrest positionSteering wheel doesn't telescope out far enoughLooking forward to more powerful EcoBoost turbo engine [this engine is not mentioned anywhere in the text]Buying Tips: Since Ford’s SYNC system is standard on the 2009 Lincoln MKS, you might bring your audio player or phone on the test drive to see if they’re compatible with the unique, voice-controlled system. The 2009 Lincoln MKS is new for Ford’s upscale brand, though its basic running gear links it to a large family of Ford products, including the new Volvo S80, as well as the current Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, and Volvo XC90. The 2009 Lincoln MKS's distinctive styling sets it apart from its close kin. The MKS is the first production Lincoln to use the division's new grille design, which the company previewed on the MKS and MKT auto show concept vehicles. The winged design reaches back to Edsel Ford's 1941 Continental and gives the newest Lincoln a welcome bit of character that's grounded in something other than a designer's imagination. Inside, the MKS’s combination of clean lines, luxurious materials, and lighter trim colors plants it squarely in the Lexus idiom of luxury, instead of the darker, more somber German sphere. A new 275-horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6 powers the MKS. The engine performs adequately, with a high degree of smoothness and little noise or fuss. While premium fuel is required to hit the 275-hp mark, using regular fuel delivers a still healthy helping of horsepower with no change in fuel economy (17/24 mpg for front-wheel drive and 16/23 mpg for all-wheel drive). The new Lincoln's six-speed automatic is seen in other Ford products such as the Edge, but has been thoroughly recalibrated for this upscale installation. In the MKS, the transmission includes a sport mode as well as manual shift capabilities. Throughout the hills of Virginia just outside of Washington, D.C., with the transmission in the sport setting, the gearbox shifted aggressively. Its performance was close to anticipatory and did an excellent job of keeping the Lincoln in the right gear at the right time—just what an automatic transmission should do. Another bright spot for the 2009 MKS is its chassis. The MKS features a totally new multilink rear suspension (not shared with the Ford Taurus or any Volvo) with coil-over shocks and a retuned front strut suspension, then bolts them both to a reinforced chassis that is 35 percent stiffer than that of the current Taurus. The resulting ride is Goldilocks taut: not too soft and not too hard, even with the optional 20-inch wheels. Steering response is quick, and when driving at street speeds, the understeer one expects from a largish front-wheel-drive sedan is totally absent. The MKS is also available with all-wheel drive. The safety equipment you'd expect to see in a car of this caliber is all present and accounted for: multiple airbags, stability control, and so on. While the 2009 Lincoln MKS has not been tested, the related Ford Taurus scored very well in government crash testing. Pricing starts at around $38,000 for a front-wheel-drive MKS without any fancy options—but including standard features as heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, Ford’s SYNC entertainment system, and HID headlamps—and runs up to $46,000 for a decked-out, all-wheel-drive edition. Other Choices:If you’re interested in the 2009 Lincoln MKS, also consider:Lexus GS-Acura RL-Cadillac CTS-Cadillac STSReason Why:The Lexus GS was the bogie for Lincoln, and the 2009 Lincoln MKS certainly hits the mark in terms of quietness. Lincoln claims to be even quieter than the Lexus in certain important frequency ranges. The Lincoln MKS is also on the mark in terms of performance. Like the Lexus GS and the Acura RL, the MKS is powered by a six-cylinder (in addition, Lexus offers a V-8 and a hybrid). The car targets a more luxury- and technology-minded audience with its myriad of features. The rear-wheel-drive Cadillac CTS and STS have a more sporting demeanor, and you could shop either against the MKS, depending on how much room you're looking for. The Cadillac STS offers a V-8 for those who want more power. The Bottom Line:The 2009 Lincoln MKS’s smart performance, subdued good looks, and roomy interior put the brand back in full-size, luxury-sedan territory. Experts from TheCarConnection.com were among the first journalists to drive the Lincoln MKS. These experiences, plus our reviews of other trusted opinions from the Web, enable TheCarConnection.com team to offer you a definitive opinion on this luxurious sedan from Detroit. This review also ...

Other Choices:

The Lexus GS was the bogie for Lincoln, and the 2009 Lincoln MKS certainly hits the mark in terms of quietness. Lincoln claims to be even quieter than the Lexus in certain important frequency ranges. The Lincoln MKS is also on the mark in terms of performance. Like the Lexus GS and the Acura RL, the MKS is powered by a six-cylinder (in addition, Lexus offers a V-8 and a hybrid). The car targets a more luxury- and technology-minded audience with its myriad of features. The rear-wheel-drive Cadillac CTS and STS have a more sporting demeanor, and you could shop either against the MKS, depending on how much room you're looking for. The Cadillac STS offers a V-8 for those who want more power.

Next Steps:

Get a free price quote

for the 2009 Lincoln MKS from a dealer near you

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for the 2009 Lincoln MKS

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for a 2009 Lincoln MKS near you

See the Lincoln MKS in Other Years:

2010 | 2009

Comments (19 total)

  1. By Jeff #1, Posted: 6/18/2008

    UGLY

    It was a nice try, but now I know what happened to all of the overstocked Hyundai XG350 tail lights. I get dizzy looking at the chrome front end elements going different directions. The dash is very nice until you focus in on the gauges that look like they belong in a 1977 Thunderbird

  2. By Larry #2, Posted: 6/20/2008

    Good Effort by Lincoln

    This is a good looking vehicle produced by Lincoln. It results in a well appointed mid-luxury vehicle to compete with the Lexus ES, Acura RL, Nissan Mxx, Cadillac STS and the Chrysler.......They are still working on it.

  3. By Daniel Ho #3, Posted: 6/22/2008

    It's bigger than it looks

    The MKS is about the same size as the A8L, 750iL, S550, and LS600hL. Against those cars, it's a bargain.
    I think it's a clever marketing position, being an AWD fullsize flagship but at least half the price of those cars.
    Whether the public perceives the advantage, it's not clear. I don't see Lincoln publicizing it's size as a selling feature.

  4. By Frank #4, Posted: 6/24/2008

    Frank

    The only way Larry could have made those positive comments about the Lincoln and the negative comments about the best in class, all the others, is because he's living under a rock.

  5. By rob #5, Posted: 6/28/2008

    it's ok

    too bad it's front wheel drive I prefer lexus or BMW for this $

  6. By Larry #6, Posted: 6/30/2008

    Chrome is Dangerous.....to some

    You must suufer from epilepsy Jeff if all the chrome on the Lincoln causes you to have a fit. It must be horrible for you in a modern kitchen with all the stainless steel appliances. Perhaps with your condition, you should not be commenting on car styling because it is obvious that ALL car manufactureres are adding chrome details to their vehicles for styling purposes. I hope you get better

  7. By Jeff #7, Posted: 6/30/2008

    I love chrome, when it's done well

    Larry, I love the chrome trim everyone is coming back with. Nearly everyone adding chrome is doing it well. But this car has an over powering vertical grille on top of the horizontal chrome strips of the lower air dam, which sit next to odd shaped fog light chrome surrounds. Except for the top lines of the grille and headlights, not a single line on the front end flows with any other element. Sorry Larry, this is just my opinion. The rest of the car is not bad.

  8. By Ike #8, Posted: 7/1/2008

    Mr.

    I love this car. It has very clean uncluttered lines. I think the crhome is a nice touch, but not overdone. The fit and finish on the car is on par if not better than the rest. Tons of technology features. the 3.7 has more than enough power. It feels a lot stronger than the horsepower posted. Thousands less and a much better buy than the imports.

  9. By Stuart Schwartz #9, Posted: 7/5/2008

    An Absolute Beauty

    It's gorgeous car and now that I've finally driven one I have to say that Lincoln has a real winner on their hands. Rides nicer and handles better than the more expensive imports. The navigation system is the best of any car out there now.

  10. By Jonathon #10, Posted: 8/20/2008

    Well Done!

    This is the best American car that I've driven since the '70s and I'd consider buying it, but would definitely wait until the twin-turbo comes out, hopefully with a sport-tuned suspension. Come on Ford! You've gone so far with this one, why not go all the way?

  11. By CBond #11, Posted: 9/2/2008

    Made My Choice

    After testing the Lexus 350, Acura RL and the Cadillac CTS I chose the Lincoln MKS. The interior is roomier, and better appointed than any of the others. The technology is fantastic - all the way down to the jukebox. The ride is magnificent.
    It took a while to warm up to the new front grille and the rest of the outside is ok, but it was the ride and the interior that sold me. well done!

  12. By phil #12, Posted: 9/10/2008

    Most Exciting Midsedan

    Tested most if not all in same class and dollar range. Found MKS to be the best and most innovative choice in a rather unexciting universe. BMW 528i, Lexus E and GS, Audi A6, Mercedes E, Caddy CTS, all left me feeling mostly bored. The MKS gives you all the options at 47k. Most of the others are unexciting or need to add big $$ to get the goods. Still MKS technology and options are superior for the new age. No, its not a European sports car, besides we are talking mid-sedan anyway but, for the money it does the job well. Lincoln hit it big on this one.

  13. By Charles #13, Posted: 10/21/2008

    Mr.

    Anyone who would spend over $40,000 on any other sadan than this Lincoln MKS most likely hasn't done their home work. This is the best sadan America has come out with in decades. It runs on regular fuel, has a great warrenty, four wheel drive option, very large interior, and the insurance cost is very reasonable. Cadallac has very good cars but not quite the Pride of a Lincoln name. And forget about Chrysler. Be foolish enough and go purchase a German or Japanese car, but the same rewards or better are right here in the Lincoln MKS. And if this weren't enough theres a Turbo version with all wheel drive coming soon.

  14. By L Pavia #14, Posted: 11/13/2008

    Absolute Success!

    Lincoln has successfully completed the journey it started way back in 1988 with the first front-drive Continental. Nicely styled, beautifully generic, void of all the "horrible 1970's-esque" Lincoln cues of yore such as stand-up grilles, hood ornaments and tire bulges. At least now, the new flagship MKS can truly become a Pontiac in the front, a Buick or Nissan in the side, and a Hyundai from the rear. It boasts that forever-in-style "hip-hop" rear door quarter glass kick-up and straight-line-down, "ignore the rear wheel well" rear door seam (think recent Nissans). The ovoid treatment of the MKS's beltline/glass would make even the Richest Golfer in The World drool over it's resemblence to the Buick Lucerne/LaCrosse. Especially well-done is the minimal cowl distance from the front wheel opening to the front door seam. Not ever to be confused with a Cadillac, this design cue reaches back to the "Cab Forward" Front-Drive Chrysler sedans of the early 1990's, which minimized the cowl/hood areas of the car while extending the cabin profile. The "historic" split grille pays homage to the 1941 Continental in the same classy way Chicago's historic Soldier Field Stadium was recently reconstructed; a superb blending of old and new, aka the full-width recessed void under the bumper area that completely ignores the split-grille above. Also, many a Pontiac over the decades utilized the unique split-grille design feature. At least the new MKS will not be confused with, say, any Lincoln product of the past. The superbly crafted rear harks back to the Hyundai 350 series, but with the added visual of the Ultra-Prominent License Plate Surround, thus making it easier for police and red-light cameras to more fully capture the Lincoln driver's plate number for traffic violation purposes. The fine sculpting of the car's tail will compliment any type and/or color of graphic design on today's various license plates, much like a lighted mini-billboard. The Front Drive platform with V-6 Power is definitely in keeping with Today, much like the Classic 1988 Continental (also known as "Taurinental" -- never out of style -- It's Always 1988!) The MKS's impressive fuel economy is similiarly noteworthy: 17 city and 24 EPA highway is less than my outdated, rear-drive 1989 Towncar with a Push-Rod 5-Liter V-8 and a Hood You Can See From The Driver's Seat. In short, The new MKS is an absolute mile-stone automobile in historical styling and sophistication borrowed from other lesser products, creating an award-winning "genericar", which every Lexus designer yearns for.

  15. By Hummer #15, Posted: 2/19/2009

    BUY AMERICAN

    Wake up. This car is American built. 75% of it's parts are not imported from Japan either. Who gives darn what it looks like compared to foreign cars. Its a beautiful car. Support your own country, your neighbors and your family.

  16. By  Mark #16, Posted: 8/14/2009

    I love this car!

  17. By americanboy #17, Posted: 8/31/2009

    Buy an american car its the best luxury vehicle goin better than lexus mercedes acura or BMW more comfortable anroomy and with more features than a porsche or lotus or bentley not to mention as reliable as any of the japanese cars. And very stylish and amazing

  18. By kary #18, Posted: 11/5/2009

    Front grill has too much chrome. That interior is boring. I think the BMW and Audi lines make much more attractive cars in this price range. I would very much like to buy an American car the next time I need one (and think they are made better than the Euroepean ones), but not one this unappealing.

  19. By Don Peters #19, Posted: 11/14/2009

    Great car overall,but back to dealer after 6weeks interior noise,squeeks,intelligent access pad does not lock car,rain sensitive wipers come on when dry & sunny. A bit disappointing,third lincoln ,no problems with previous models until after 100000mi.

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