2013 Lincoln MKS Ecoboost – Review and Test Drive
Lincoln’s latest flagship sedan seeks to bring the brand’s tradition of luxury
into the 21st century. Replacing the Town Car, a vehicle that was driven more often by chauffeurs than executives, the MKS blends Lincoln’s new design language and parent Ford’s latest technology. In doing this, the Lincoln MKS is better suited to compete in the large luxury sedan marketplace, where technology, convenience and efficiency play equally important roles as do comfort and luxury.
The MKS is available in both front- and all-wheel drive and offers a choice of two V6 engines. This stands in stark contrast to the rear-wheel driven V8-powered sedans of generations past, although advancements such as the EcoBoost turbocharged V-6, which develops 360 horsepower, and better-tuned suspensions remove any question that the MKS is a downgrade from its predecessor.
The 2013 MKS starts at $38,465 and the MKS tested included several further options resulting in a MSRP of $55,275. Although the MKS shares its platform with Ford’s now full-size Taurus, the MKS is closer to a long-wheelbase Audi A8 in size.
WHAT’S NEW IN THE LINCOLN MKS FOR 2013?
The 2013 Lincoln MKS gets a number of enhancements that visually transform it externally as well as internally from its immediate predecessor. The exterior from the A pillar forward, including grill, hood, fenders, headlights, wheels, and front fascia, is all new and has a more refined and elegant feel. The back gets a new rear fascia, new LED tail lamps, new exhaust tips, and a new trunk lid that Lincoln says improves access to the trunk.
Inside,
the new dash and My Lincoln Touch (see Infotainment in this review) are complemented by new capacitive touch controls and a new look that’s less linear than before.
Lincoln Drive Control and Continuously Controlled Damping are new (see Driving the Lincoln MKS) and part of the standard configuration.
INSIDE THE LINCOLN MKS
The interior of the MKS is unparalleled when it comes to roominess. Headroom and legroom are more than generous in all seating positions (rear passengers will definitely not be disappointed) and I found it one of the most spacious cabins I’ve been in. The seats are comfortable and firm. The leather is soft and the other materials on the dash and doors are of high quality.
The dash is one of those things one will either love or hate. But we’ll talk about that in the next section.
Click here to continue to Page 2 – Driving the Lincoln MKS and Infotainment
