The 2010 Lincoln MKT EcoBoost has the making of something pretty special.
Anyone who has read our entries on the IL Long-Term Road Test blog over the past year knows we're smitten with our 2009 Ford Flex. And the more powerful 2010 Ford Flex with EcoBoost picks up where the original left off, walking away with an Inside Line Editors' Most Wanted award in our most recent annual voting session.
With this solid foundation of goodwill, the new 2010 Lincoln MKT with EcoBoost would seem like a shoo-in to garner similar praise. After all, the MKT is virtually the Flex's twin. It rides on the same chassis with a 117.9-inch wheelbase, gets its power from the same 355-horsepower, twin-turbo, direct-injection EcoBoost V6 and posts an identical EPA fuel economy rating of 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway.
How could the 2010 Lincoln MKT EcoBoost possibly go wrong? After all, the only significant differences are these: styling, equipment and price.
Here are more or less the three answers to where the Lincoln MKT goes wrong: styling, equipment and price.
Formal Wear Versus Casual Friday
Many of us identify with the Ford Flex because of its casual hot-rod vibe. It looks ready to have surfboards strapped to the roof. Others give it hip-to-be-square bonus points for being a plus-size Scion xB, while more than a few say that our all-black, 2009 Ford Flex Limited looks like nothing less than a hearse (albeit a very cool one).
But this 2010 Lincoln MKT comes across entirely differently, and that's because it shares no exterior panels or interior trim with the Flex. The wheelbase might be the same, but the MKT is a full 5.8 inches longer than the Flex, most of which resides in the Lincoln's prodigious nose with its long overhang. Its sleeker windshield is also raked farther back and the MKT stands 0.6 inch shorter than the Flex. Out back, the roof line tapers off to meet a somewhat recumbent hatch and pronounced rear haunches.
You're paying for a night out in a tailored tuxedo instead of the roomy comfort of a pair of jeans.
It all adds up to a sleeker, more sophisticated and formal look, though the dominant chrome grille earns far less than universal praise. And dressed in aptly named Tuxedo Black, this test example has also been compared to a hearse (albeit a very serious one).
Normally, such talk of subjective styling differences only serves to antagonize those who like the styling of one vehicle (the MKT) and wouldn't be caught dead in the other (the Flex). But in this case, styling does more than merely change the look of the Lincoln MKT.
Compromised Interior Packaging
In a classic case of form dictating function, the 2010 Lincoln MKT's stylish roof line plays all sorts of havoc with interior seating. Front- and middle-seat passengers lose 1.7 and 1.5 inches of headroom, respectively, although perhaps only the tallest among us will suffer because the Flex had a surplus to begin with.
Meanwhile, the raked windshield moves the front seat farther astern, and at the same time the sloping roof line and hatch demands that the third-row seat be mounted farther forward. The necessary scrunching chops away a full 2.5 inches of middle-seat legroom relative to the Flex.
Third-row legroom drops by just 0.3 inch, but that's trivial compared to the monstrous 5.2-inch loss of third-row headroom and 1.7-inch reduction in shoulder room. Unlike the Flex, the rearmost seat of the Lincoln MKT is decidedly a kids-only proposition, surely a mistake in a car that's too expensive for most families.
Cargo space feels the pinch, too, but only to the tune of an 8-10 percent loss, as the MKT retains the Flex's ingenious fold-flat split third seat. Maximum capacity drops from 83.2 to 75.9 cubic feet, while the space available when all seats are in use drops from 20 to 17.9 cubes.
Furthermore, those hunched rear fenders conspire with the sloped roof to create tinier windows and a large blind spot, and the lowermost edge of the elevated rear window sits high enough to conceal an entire Camry. At least a back-up camera is standard.
Ride and Drive
As with the 2010 Flex, our MKT's optional EcoBoost V6 comes paired with all-wheel drive and a six-speed transmission. A manual shift mode can be operated with steering-mounted paddles, but only after you slide the shift lever from "D" to "M."
And just like the Flex with EcoBoost, the turbocharged 2010 Lincoln MKT hauls the mail to the tune of 6.3 seconds from a standstill to 60 mph (6.0 seconds with 1 foot of rollout), a tenth quicker than the last boosted Flex we sampled. Our MKT finished the quarter-mile in 14.5 seconds at 96.6 mph, another tenth quicker and some 1.6 mph faster than the Flex at the top end. It's a good bet these differences are a reflection of the MKT's substantially more slippery shape.
Good aerodynamics doubtless play a role in a marked reduction in interior noise, but our MKT also perches on our scales at 4,975 pounds, 156 pounds more than a Flex EcoBoost. Increased use of acoustic insulation is part of the reason why: one such example being our MKT's dual-pane front side glass. Lincoln's diligence is apparent to ear and sound meter alike, as our MKT is notably quieter than a Flex in most circumstances.
The MKT glides over rough pavement admirably considering its low-profile 20-inch Goodyear rubber, and its electronic power steering feels somewhat isolated and light of touch. But the presence of the electric assist makes it possible to opt for the $595 Active Park Assist, an automated parallel-parking system that proved itself by deftly placing the MKT in a spot that we had written off as too short. But we'd be remiss if we didn't point out that the same option costs only $550 in a Flex EcoBoost.
Better Trimmed Inside
As one would expect for a car that costs $49,995, over $7,000 more than a top-line Flex, the 2010 Lincoln MKT is trimmed more luxuriously. The standard power leather seats adjust in 12 ways for both driver and passenger (up from 10 and six ways, respectively) and the first two rows of seats are heated and cooled, instead of merely heated.
The tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel steps up to power operation with memory, and Lincoln windshield wiper engineers (now there's a career path) have added automatic rain-sensing capability.
You pay $1,495 to put the multipanel glass Vista Roof on a Flex, but here it's standard. And the MKT has a few more standard features you can't get on a Flex for any price, such as push-button start and rear door sunshades.
And the MKT has a few options the Flex doesn't offer. Adaptive cruise control can be had for $1,295 and you can get blind-spot monitoring and a cross-traffic alert system as part of the $4,000 Elite package, which also includes THX surround-sound and power tilt-and-slide operation of your glass Vista Roof.
By far, the most curious inclusion in the optional Elite package is the voice-operated navigation system, and it's curious because this is something that's standard on a Ford Flex Limited.
Here's the Catch
This is where the price of the 2010 Lincoln MKT goes all pear-shaped. If you want a navigation system in your MKT, you'll be buying this $4,000 Elite option and your MKT will therefore cost at least $53,995.
Meanwhile, the navigation system you're after is standard in a Ford Flex Limited with EcoBoost, a car that lists for $42,840. Suddenly the $7,000 Lincoln MKT premium just jumped to $11,000. Oh sure, you're getting THX surround-sound, but the Flex Limited also comes standard with a fine Sony premium sound system.
When faced with this reality, the increased seat adjustability, the addition of a cooling function to said seats, the standard Vista Roof and the handful of other detail differences don't come close to adding up to enough to make sense of the MKT's price.
What it comes down to is the badge and the styling. You're paying to say you drive a Lincoln instead of a Ford. You're paying for a night out in a tailored tuxedo instead of the roomy comfort of a pair of jeans waiting at home.
We'd like to say you're getting more car for your considerably boosted sum of money when you sign up for the MKT. But the undeniable fact is the 2010 Lincoln MKT EcoBoost isn't as desirable or functional as our relaxed and happy friend, the Ford Flex.
The manufacturer provided Edmunds this vehicle for the purposes of evaluation.
Add A Comment »
ford_flexer says:
01:08 PM, 06/14/2010
That's why i like Ford,because when they make a car thay make lincoln come in and make it luxury,tthis of course would be the luxury ford flex which i love driving,it doesen't suck up gas like a traverse does my sister has it and i hate it.when i drive my flex it's something diffrent.those who says it's boxy has never been inside of it and if you call it ugly and uncomfortable you don't know what awesome looks like.
nitrodog says:
12:57 PM, 04/13/2010
I love the car and just ordered one. Those commenting from pictures need to sit in it and drive it. It is worth every penny.
It is a beautiful car. It is very different. I want people to notice that I am driving something different.
I am tired of looking at boxes on wheels. Which brings us to the Flex. An ugly box. The MKT is so classy and different than the Flex, that if you were not told that they shared the same platform, one would never know.
I agree with those that feel that Edmunds did not give this car a "fair" rating as some people posting before me so aptly point out.
Also, Edmunds points out that the car is too expensive for families yet states that the 3rd row is only for children. My wife is 5'4'' and was comfortable in the 3rd row. I will only use the 3rd row when I get grandkids. When I go out with another couple, we will all be in heated and cooled comfort.
By the way, I do agree about armrests for the 2nd row, which is why I purchased the center refrigerator. It gives something in the middle to rest your inside arms on and the fridge is nice to have.
ChromieD says:
02:54 AM, 12/30/2009
My bad. Before, I said "kill Lincoln". Thought about it and realized that Ford does need a Lincoln in the mix.
But definitely and finally KILL MERCURY! I think Ford wants Mercury to be their Saturn with green roots or something. Not working at all.
Yes, so, kill Mercury, and dedicate renewed attention to steering Lincoln back to a credible and distinctive brand. Which this MKT does not do. First, re-think heavily the steam-locomotive grille junk. Bloody tacky.
1487 says:
06:26 AM, 12/27/2009
Why was there no comparison of this to the Q7? the entire article is about the Flex, not luxury competition. This vehicle stacks up well vs the Q7 and costs less comparably equipped. THAT should have been mentioned. Saying you could get a Ford for less money with similar features is stupid unless you are going to say the same about the RX350 or Es350 or Acura TL, MDX, TSX, etc. These comparisons are ONLY made on domestic branded products. Not that we expect anything less from IL.
ppellico says:
07:35 AM, 12/23/2009
spwilson says
I agree.
Why the heck are we comparing this to the Flex?
If you would compare other crossovers in this luxury category, all those with the fastback look have this same problem.
Looking at the Buick or the Saturn crossovers, they also have smaller rear seat leg room.
Its what is given up for looks.
Its easier to use space if the space is a box.
I like the Flex, I like the MKT...but they are for different looks and personalities.
The most popular Lexus cut is by far the leader when it comes to lost or useless cargo space.
People love it.
sassy_j says:
12:57 PM, 12/21/2009
UGLY!! Take off the metal teeth braces dude! It's blinding me.
Why did they just rebadge the Ford Flex, they should create it independently. Stop Recycling Ford products into Lincoln!!
spwilson says:
07:16 AM, 12/21/2009
Hey Dan,
I find it absolutely consistent among auto journalist, yet always intriguing, how US automakers are disected so feverishly regarding their vehicle DNA. The first and last sentence state it, as well as the perspective of the article are on how the MKT and the Flex differ. OK, so automakers have to share platforms. We all know that. But when you read a Lexus review, or an Infinity review, the mention of how they differ with their Toyota and Nissan couterparts are rarely pointed out, if at all.
Now why is that??
ChromieD says:
01:12 AM, 12/19/2009
Congrats, Dan Edmunds, you have once more praised with faint damning a product that is quite literally a poster child for why American cars are the laughing stock of most nations. This thing is a dumpster and it comes from a division that long, long ago lost it's reason for existing. The whole assumption of Lincoln = elegant Ford, or elegance in any form, is a dream that was sacrificed in Dearborn back in the 1950s. How many ways can we polish a turd?
And the Ford Flex is like a case of "We know we can't like Suburbans or Excursions anymore, but we know it's safe to not like minivans, too. Oh, look, a Flex! We can say that we like that." Man, this stuff is really depressing.
Kill Lincoln! Finally, finally kill the old family dawg.
ahightower says:
05:05 PM, 12/18/2009
"...it's like jeans, a T-shirt and a sport coat - classy yet casual."
That is only considered classy to California dewshbags. Real men wear adult clothes, instead of pretending to be nineteen well into their fifities. Get that damn "product" out of your stupid spiky hair, and put on a suit and tie. You look like a fool.
Personally, I like the MKT. The styling does it for me. I know it's odd, but it just looks so bold and original. And is better in person, I think, than in photos, much like the MKS. I do like the Flex, it's cool, but if you really need a third row AND cargo space on a regular basis, you should get a minivan (or a Suburban). If you want two very nice rows for your family of four or less, and the third row for only very occasional use, and you have the money, and enjoy the finer finishings and quieter ride of the Lincoln, then I understand the appeal versus the Flex.
kpwrx says:
12:21 PM, 12/18/2009
I will never understand Inside Line's obsession with that ugly Ford flex. Yes the Lincoln is more money, but who can get past the fords ugly lines? The Lincoln looks a thousand times better than the Ford. Thats worth the price difference alone. Then they keep mentioning functionality. If they are so worried about functionality, then they all should be driving minivans.