Lincoln: What's New for 2010?

2010 Lincoln MKS: The big news for 2010 is the availability of the 3.5-liter direct-injected, twin-turbo EcoBoost V6. The 3.7-liter 24-valve Duratec is standard. Active park assist and a collision warning system with braking support are also available. Electric power steering is now standard and includes drift and pull compensation.

For 2010, additional bracing and sound-deadening materials have improved noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) characteristics. Additionally, suspension improvements have been designed to further improve NVH. Mounts and bushings, spring/shock tuning, and front suspension geometry have all been revised.

2010 Lincoln MKT: Lincoln has introduced the MKT, a full-size three-row luxury crossover based on the Ford Flex. But while the hearselike Flex is slab-sided, the MKT is curvaceous and includes the brand's signature design element — a split waterfall grille.

There are two engine choices: a 3.7-liter Duratec V6 that makes 268 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, or a 3.5-liter direct-injection, twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 producing 355 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. The Duratec is available with either front- or all-wheel drive, while the EcoBoost is only offered with AWD.

The standard second-row bench allows for seven-passenger vehicle capacity. But the comfortable option is to get the heated and cooled second-row bucket seats. A rear console-mounted 5-quart refrigerator is available in the second-row bucket seats configuration.

A multitude of safety and convenience technologies are available including sonar-based active park assist, adaptive cruise control (ACC), collision warning with brake support, blind-spot monitoring with cross traffic alert, Securicode keyless entry keypad, push-button start, adaptive headlamps (AFS) with standard high-intensity-discharge (HID) lamps, back-up camera, voice-activated navigation with Sirius Travel Link, and Sync.

2010 Lincoln MKX: There are only a few minor changes for the 2010 MKX. Fuel economy is slightly improved by 1 or 2 mpg in both FWD and AWD versions. Sync is now available with traffic and navigation directions. A Midnight Limited Edition package is now available with Tuxedo Black Metallic paint, a body-color grille, 22-inch polished aluminum wheels and an Ebony interior package.

2010 Lincoln MKZ: NVH tuning was also a major area of improvement for the 2010 MKZ. The engine is quieter and nearly all of the acoustic packing was redone.

The 2010 MKZ suspension was revised and uniquely tuned for ride comfort. The turning circle has also been reduced. A new variable-flow hydraulic steering pump gives better lower-speed response and eases parking effort.

There's a new standard SelectShift automatic transmission that allows manual gear selection. Downshifts are locked out to protect the engine from over-revving. And there is an "enhanced overdrive cancel" mode that locks out 5th and 6th gears, allowing shifts at higher speed for more engine braking and downshifts for "grade assist" braking. The available all-wheel-drive system has been retuned for better traction and lower NVH.

The 2010 MKZ features a sport version with special sport suspension tuning with stiffer springs and larger stabilizer bars, 18-inch polished wheels, a unique darkened grille, darkened headlamps and an interior with contrasting piping.

2010 Lincoln Navigator: Standard Trailer Sway Control is combined with electronic stability and roll stability control. Trailer sway control works together with electronic stability and roll stability control to determine from the yaw or roll motion of the vehicle if the trailer is swaying or rolling and enacts countermeasures such as applying the brakes or reducing engine torque to help bring the vehicle and trailer under control.

The Navigator now features standard power-operated running boards, and MyKey is also standard and allows Navigator owners to limit top speed and radio volume, even if they're not in the vehicle.

The 2010 Navigator is available in standard and long-wheelbase configurations.