The boat ramp is crowded for a Tuesday afternoon. As we begin positioning our big-block flat-bottom onto the trailer, a fellow boater starts eyeing our tow vehicle; an Arizona Beige 2006 Lincoln Mark LT.
"Nice truck!" he yells. He's driving a new black-on-black Ford F-150 Lariat.
"What do you like about it?" we inquire.
"The Navigator-style taillights are cool and I like all that chrome."
Our new friend's observation perfectly illustrates how the 2006 Lincoln Mark LT makes a great first impression. However, a little scrutiny shows it to be somewhat less luxurious than its price suggests. For instance, those "Navigator-style taillights" he likes so much are just tacked-on reflectors. We think that's a missed opportunity.
Big Price
Our fellow boater's admiration was tempered a bit more when we told him the as-tested price for this Mark LT 4x4 was $47,600. "I guess my F-150 isn't so bad," he said with satisfaction.
Lincoln's idea of a luxury truck isn't the problem, it's the execution. Executive Editor Richard Homan summed it up nicely, "The Escalades look like Cadillac actually had a hand in styling them whereas the Lincoln Mark LT looks like Ford just gave it to Lincoln as is." Keep in mind, however, the base price of an Escalade EXT is about $10,000 more than the Mark LT 4x4 we tested. And a two-wheel-drive Mark LT starts under $40,000.
At that price it's important to note that the 2006 Lincoln Mark LT is available only as a SuperCrew four-door with a 5.5-foot bed, a 5.4-liter V8 and a four-speed automatic transmission. The truck is, however, available in both two- and four-wheel-drive configurations. A 4x4, like our test truck, starts at $42,700. By comparison, a loaded 2005 Ford F-150 King Ranch 4x4 has an MSRP of about $44,000. Similarly equipped, the Lincoln is roughly $1,300 more.
Essentially, that extra money only gets you cosmetic upgrades like a Lincoln grille, special badging and chrome trim. In fact, Lincoln acknowledges that the Mark LT's main goal is to offer a truck that is a visual alternative to the F-150, and despite its big buck Super Bowl ad, it's only looking to sell 1,000 Mark LTs per month.
A Little Light on Luxury
Our LT had leather seats with contrasting piping on the edges, which we thought was a nice touch. Plus, those seats are wide and accommodating, like they were lifted from a late-'60s Continental. The rest of the interior is also dressed up nicely, with exposed stitching on the steering wheel, instrument panel and shifter, in contrasting colors on the dash.
As good as it looks, however, a few seams start to show when you start poking around. The F-150 King Ranch has nicer leather and the LT has far too many plastic surfaces for a luxury vehicle in this price range.
And while our Mark LT was loaded with every available option, including a rear-seat DVD player and rear parking sensors, it did not include features we think are essential in a luxury truck. Our Mark LT did not have power seatbacks, power lumbar, a navigation system, power-folding mirrors, multizone climate control, a bedliner, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio or any kind of OnStar-like feature.
Refined on the Road
On the road, the Lincoln pickup feels exactly like an F-150, which is a good thing — same refined ride and the same smooth 5.4-liter, 300-hp V8. In our track testing we recorded a slightly slower 0-to-60 time of 10.3 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 17.3 at 80.4 mph. Our 2004 F-150 crew cab clocked a 9.8-second 0-to-60 time and ran through the quarter-mile in 16.9 seconds at 80.9 mph.
Like the F-150, the Mark LT feels adequately powered for everyday driving. And although it won't wow you with its might, the V8 never runs out of steam and keeps a steady pull well into highway speeds. The four-speed automatic is the only transmission offered and it delivers positive upshifts and almost imperceptible downshifts. The engine's combination of power and civility reinforce the Mark LT's lofty luxury goal.
The 5.4-liter V8's 365 lb-ft of torque reinforces the business end of the truck and its ability to pull extra weight. While towing our Barron Sprint boat, the Lincoln was easily able to get up to speed or merge onto fast-moving L.A. freeways. But with the Lincoln's 8,900-pound towing capacity, we were barely scratching the surface of the truck's ability.
The steering requires just enough effort to remind you you're driving a huge truck, but also has a quick feel that contributes to the LT's comfortable demeanor. We wish the brakes could inspire the same confidence as the steering, but the pedal tends to feel mushy at first, only getting firm toward the end of its travel. Our test driver noted significant ABS noise, but almost no fade. We got from 60 mph to a full stop in just over 133 feet. That's not bad for a big truck that weighs in at 5,600 pounds.
We like the Lincoln Mark LT's around-town ride and handling but we're not a big fan of the truck's at-the-limit demeanor. In the slalom test, which can simulate how a vehicle will respond in an emergency situation, the Mark LT was a little unpredictable with lots of body roll, and its back end had a tendency to come around without much warning.
Alternative Rock
The Lincoln Mark LT is every bit as smooth and quiet as an F-150, with the same ability to haul stuff and seat five adults comfortably. If you're in the market for a luxury pickup, the Mark LT should be considered for exactly what it is, an alternative. Think of it as a well-equipped Ford pickup that's been mildly customized, only you didn't have to do any of the work. Plus, you'll make lots of great first impressions.
"Nice truck!" he yells. He's driving a new black-on-black Ford F-150 Lariat.
"What do you like about it?" we inquire.
"The Navigator-style taillights are cool and I like all that chrome."
Our new friend's observation perfectly illustrates how the 2006 Lincoln Mark LT makes a great first impression. However, a little scrutiny shows it to be somewhat less luxurious than its price suggests. For instance, those "Navigator-style taillights" he likes so much are just tacked-on reflectors. We think that's a missed opportunity.
Big Price
Our fellow boater's admiration was tempered a bit more when we told him the as-tested price for this Mark LT 4x4 was $47,600. "I guess my F-150 isn't so bad," he said with satisfaction.
Lincoln's idea of a luxury truck isn't the problem, it's the execution. Executive Editor Richard Homan summed it up nicely, "The Escalades look like Cadillac actually had a hand in styling them whereas the Lincoln Mark LT looks like Ford just gave it to Lincoln as is." Keep in mind, however, the base price of an Escalade EXT is about $10,000 more than the Mark LT 4x4 we tested. And a two-wheel-drive Mark LT starts under $40,000.
At that price it's important to note that the 2006 Lincoln Mark LT is available only as a SuperCrew four-door with a 5.5-foot bed, a 5.4-liter V8 and a four-speed automatic transmission. The truck is, however, available in both two- and four-wheel-drive configurations. A 4x4, like our test truck, starts at $42,700. By comparison, a loaded 2005 Ford F-150 King Ranch 4x4 has an MSRP of about $44,000. Similarly equipped, the Lincoln is roughly $1,300 more.
Essentially, that extra money only gets you cosmetic upgrades like a Lincoln grille, special badging and chrome trim. In fact, Lincoln acknowledges that the Mark LT's main goal is to offer a truck that is a visual alternative to the F-150, and despite its big buck Super Bowl ad, it's only looking to sell 1,000 Mark LTs per month.
A Little Light on Luxury
Our LT had leather seats with contrasting piping on the edges, which we thought was a nice touch. Plus, those seats are wide and accommodating, like they were lifted from a late-'60s Continental. The rest of the interior is also dressed up nicely, with exposed stitching on the steering wheel, instrument panel and shifter, in contrasting colors on the dash.
As good as it looks, however, a few seams start to show when you start poking around. The F-150 King Ranch has nicer leather and the LT has far too many plastic surfaces for a luxury vehicle in this price range.
And while our Mark LT was loaded with every available option, including a rear-seat DVD player and rear parking sensors, it did not include features we think are essential in a luxury truck. Our Mark LT did not have power seatbacks, power lumbar, a navigation system, power-folding mirrors, multizone climate control, a bedliner, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio or any kind of OnStar-like feature.
Refined on the Road
On the road, the Lincoln pickup feels exactly like an F-150, which is a good thing — same refined ride and the same smooth 5.4-liter, 300-hp V8. In our track testing we recorded a slightly slower 0-to-60 time of 10.3 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 17.3 at 80.4 mph. Our 2004 F-150 crew cab clocked a 9.8-second 0-to-60 time and ran through the quarter-mile in 16.9 seconds at 80.9 mph.
Like the F-150, the Mark LT feels adequately powered for everyday driving. And although it won't wow you with its might, the V8 never runs out of steam and keeps a steady pull well into highway speeds. The four-speed automatic is the only transmission offered and it delivers positive upshifts and almost imperceptible downshifts. The engine's combination of power and civility reinforce the Mark LT's lofty luxury goal.
The 5.4-liter V8's 365 lb-ft of torque reinforces the business end of the truck and its ability to pull extra weight. While towing our Barron Sprint boat, the Lincoln was easily able to get up to speed or merge onto fast-moving L.A. freeways. But with the Lincoln's 8,900-pound towing capacity, we were barely scratching the surface of the truck's ability.
The steering requires just enough effort to remind you you're driving a huge truck, but also has a quick feel that contributes to the LT's comfortable demeanor. We wish the brakes could inspire the same confidence as the steering, but the pedal tends to feel mushy at first, only getting firm toward the end of its travel. Our test driver noted significant ABS noise, but almost no fade. We got from 60 mph to a full stop in just over 133 feet. That's not bad for a big truck that weighs in at 5,600 pounds.
We like the Lincoln Mark LT's around-town ride and handling but we're not a big fan of the truck's at-the-limit demeanor. In the slalom test, which can simulate how a vehicle will respond in an emergency situation, the Mark LT was a little unpredictable with lots of body roll, and its back end had a tendency to come around without much warning.
Alternative Rock
The Lincoln Mark LT is every bit as smooth and quiet as an F-150, with the same ability to haul stuff and seat five adults comfortably. If you're in the market for a luxury pickup, the Mark LT should be considered for exactly what it is, an alternative. Think of it as a well-equipped Ford pickup that's been mildly customized, only you didn't have to do any of the work. Plus, you'll make lots of great first impressions.
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