2010 Lincoln MKT Safety Review

The 2010 Lincoln MKT crossover is loaded with just about every safety feature imaginable, and some that you might have never realized you needed.

As a brand-new model for the 2010 model year, the MKT Lincoln has not yet been crash tested by either NHTSA or the IIHS. Fortunately, since the 2010 Lincoln MKT is based on the Ford Edge's platform, TheCarConnection.com's editors can make a few educated inferences about the Lincoln MKT's durability. Given that the 2009 Ford Edge is one of the sturdiest vehicles on the road, with a 2009 Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS under its belt, TheCarConnection.com expects that the MKT Lincoln will earn similarly high accolades once it is finally tested. Stay tuned to TheCarConnection.com for the latest updates on the 2010 Lincoln MKT's crash-test ratings.

While the automotive industry waits for the 2010 Lincoln MKT's official crash-test results, reviewers are busy uncovering and understanding the MKT Lincoln's bevy of safety features. Beginning with the more pedestrian items, Cars.com states that the 2010 Lincoln MKT offers "ABS, traction control, antiskid system, [and] curtain side airbags." Cars.com reports that the standard safety features list for the MKT Lincoln also encompasses "rear parking sensors and a backup camera," while some of the "optional features include Collision Warning with Brake Support." Edmunds reviewers add to the list of available safety features by mentioning the "optional Adaptive Cruise Control package," and a "'Cross Traffic Alert' system...uses sensors to warn the driver of approaching vehicles when backing out of a parking space with limited availability." As the 2010 Lincoln MKT is primarily marketed as a family vehicle, it's probably not surprising that Lincoln has decided to include a few family-oriented features. One of the most innovative is My Key, which Edmunds says "allows mom and dad to set limits on top speed and audio system volume in order to help keep their teenage drivers out of trouble." While there are quite a few aftermarket speed monitors and similar devices, this is one of the first dealer-installed, parent-friendly safety applications.

The 2010 Lincoln MKT has quite a few available features to help aid driver visibility, but unfortunately some of the sightlines are still compromised due to styling elements. The New York Times reports that a new rear hatch design helps save "26 pounds compared with a conventional steel hatch," but unfortunately "the driver's view out is restricted" by the horizontal reinforcing. Otherwise, reviews read by TheCarConnection.com find the MKT Lincoln has decent sightlines.