Used 2008 Lincoln MKX

Introduced along with the nicely reworked Navigator SUV in 2007, Lincoln’s MKX continues for 2008 as the first crossover utility vehicle (CUV) to wear the Lincoln badge. The 2008 Lincoln MKX is a welcome addition to the luxury brand’s stable. Lincoln is far from first to the car-based "crossover" party, but the MKX is fresh in terms of its generally excellent blend of style, function, features and driving dynamics. One thing it does not have — somewhat surprisingly, given its fairly substantial size — is an available third-row seat. Three-seat CUV seekers can check out Ford’s less expensive and more conservatively styled Freestyle, but there is no Lincoln version of that.

We found the 2008 Lincoln MKX’s acceleration subjectively excellent from rest or almost any speed, though no manu-matic feature is provided for those who sometimes like to select their own gears. The MacPherson strut front suspension uses ride-smoothing hydro bushings on an isolated subframe. The four-link independent rear suspension has outboard rear shocks for improved wheel control. The available "intelligent" all-wheel drive monitors and predicts traction at all four wheels and delivers torque to those with the best grip. It all works surprisingly well to deliver a near-car-like ride and agile handling despite its 4,220-pound base curb weight. This may be the quietest Lincoln ever built, but (partly to accommodate the huge Vista Roof) there’s no front passenger assist handle.

The ultra-quiet cabin features large, legible gauges and a well-organized center stack housing the audio and optional DVD navigation systems. Accents are satin nickel or optional wood, and interior lighting is cool white. The large, deep console box has adjustable inserts that can accommodate CDs, purses or laptop computers. The 60/40-split second-row seat provides impressive roominess in all dimensions and can fold forward into a level floor or recline up to 15 degrees with the same easy-to-use handle. The large rear liftgate opens to 31.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row or 68.7 with it folded.

The 2008 Lincoln MKX (unlike its full-size SUV big brother Navigator) is noticeably devoid of gratuitous chrome, or "bling." Its handsome look begins with a heritage Lincoln grille, integrated fog lamps and a steeply-sloped windshield, extends along its high-shouldered, flare-fendered flanks with blacked-out rocker panels and finishes with a fast-sloping rear window under an integrated roof spoiler, wrap-around taillights connected by edge-to-edge LEDs across the liftgate and sporty dual exhausts. To enhance its stance and optimize interior room, the standard 18-inch wheels are pushed as far as possible toward the corners.

Adaptive Front Lighting
The MKX’s projector-beam headlights pivot with the steering to illuminate as much as 36 more feet of road during cornering.

Panoramic Vista Roof
A giant 27.3- by 29.4-inch optional forward sunroof slides open fully or tilts to vent at the touch of a switch, while a 15.75- by 31.3-inch fixed rear moon roof gives rear-seat passengers an overhead sky view. Dual power sunshades operate concurrently to block out glare when desired.

The nicely-equipped 2008 Lincoln MKX comes with automatic headlamps, leather seating, ten-way power heated and cooled front seats, driver and passenger power lumbar support, Reverse Sensing System, leather-wrapped steering wheel with cruise and audio controls, dual air conditioning with particulate filter, six-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel independent suspension, power rack-and-pinion steering, 18-inch machined-aluminum wheels, power mirrors, power windows and locks, remote keyless entry with keypad, premium MP3-capable audio with six-CD changer, SIRIUS Satellite Radio and four 12-volt outlets. Standard safety features include four-wheel disc four-channel anti-lock brakes (ABS), traction control with Roll Stability Control (RSC) and six airbags: Dual-stage fronts, seat-mounted side bags and a Safety Canopy air-curtain system with rollover detection.

Among the many MKX options are all-wheel drive, 20-inch chromed wheels, adaptive front lighting, a panoramic Vista Roof, heated rear seats, three choices of wood interior trim, a 600-watt, 14-speaker THX Certified audio system and DVD navigation with voice technology that can read turn-by-turn directions in three languages, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system with an eight-inch drop-down screen, an Easy Fold remote switch that drops the second-row seats flat and an MP3 input jack. The new Lincoln SYNC hands-free communication and entertainment system allows MP3 devices and cell phone control through the audio system via push-button input or voice command.

The MKX’s 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve aluminum Duratec 35 V6 delivers 265 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque through a new six-speed multiple-clutch automatic transmission. It boasts variable intake cam timing, a dual-plenum intake manifold and a relatively high 10.3:1 compression ratio to optimize its balance of performance and efficiency.

3.5-liter V6
265 horsepower @ 6250 rpm
250 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/24 (FWD), 15/22 (AWD)