2016 Lincoln MKX Review - Beats Lexus Lincoln at his own game

2016 Lincoln MKX Review - Beats Lexus Lincoln at his own game - 2016 Lincoln MKX 2.7 liter DOHC turbocharged V6 (335 horse...

2016 Lincoln MKX Review - Beats Lexus Lincoln at his own game -

2016 Lincoln MKX

2.7 liter DOHC turbocharged V6 (335 horsepower @ 5500 rpm, 380 ft-lbs @ 3000) automatic transmission six-speed, all-wheel drive 17 city / 14 highway / 19 combined (EPA Rating, MPG) 18.9 (observed MPG) Price basic: $ 39,185 As Tested :. $ 58,605 All prices include $ 925 destination charge

The Lexus RX is not a commercial success; it is a phenomenon of sale. It is a magical unicorn cash generator that can seemingly do no wrong. The RX outsells any other luxury vehicle in America. Despite sales being down 6.5 percent in 2015, the RX crossover near outsold all mark Lincoln. When the numbers were tallied, the Lincoln brand as a whole beat only Lexus model only 617 units.

Why do I bring up the Lexus RX so early in an ostensibly reviewing a Lincoln crossover? Two reasons. We might as well talk about the elephant in the room and I really do not understand why the RX outsells the MKX nearly 5: 1. As I discovered during a week with the latest incarnation of MKX Lincoln, Lincoln is simply a better Lexus RX that.

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Lincoln struggled to find his mojo. The first MKX looked like a Ford Edge with a ghetto gate and the second toothier an evil Disney. Fortunately, the third time is the charm, and the front end 2016 MKX makes this more attractive ever. Lincoln still help out is the new 2016 Lexus RX, whose looks are, shall we say, polarizing. (It looks like a supply of sardines.) But no one found new front end of the MKX and the Dodge-esque tail lamps offensive. Since this segment dipped two midsize Lexus ranks is to lose, we will keep a tally. The win goes to the MKX.

While the exterior is finally the appropriate luxury, some felt inside was room for improvement. Plastics and quality materials are a step above Ford crossovers, but not at the Euro competition. Still, the benchmark in this segment is Lexus RX and there are also many bad plastic in the cabin. The ultimate level of "high end" finished slightly higher in the Lexus due to two factors: the liberal use of Lexus timber cutting and attention to the panel gaps. gaps in the panel are not an indicator of reliability, reliability or luxury as you will find perfect gaps unreliable Range Rover, but assembly control smack sloppy.

Fortunately, Ford designers finally realized that real trick to perfect alignment is not having seams that convey the door of the dashboard in a line. As you see in the image below, panel misalignment between the dashboard and doors is much more difficult to spot where the design is deliberately designed without seams that match horizontally as you see in the Ford Explorer. Interior winner: Tie. (RX: 1 - MKX: 1)

Gap quibbles aside, inside Lincoln MKX is as a suitable luxury vehicle when you opt for power seats before 22 lanes, an inexpensive option strangely to $ 1500. (It requires 102A reserve minimum package to add to the vehicle, which hit the MSRP of $ 47.770 after destination.) The seats are 22-way similar to BMW excellent multi-contour seats they offer inflatable bolsters, power headrests, and the ability to adjust the curvature of the back seat, but Lincoln takes them to a new level. The MKX offers more control over the bladders lumbar support and other ways of movement you find in a X5 costs $ 10,000 more.

This single seat option highlights the gap between the two marks. Lexus is so conservative that a thigh pad extending on a seat with four-way lumbar support (for the driver) is the most opulent throne available in the RX. Lexus passenger must make do with a good book, while the passenger MKX can relax in a massage seat 22 channels. Comfortable win: MKX. (RX: 1 - MKX: 2)

For a long time all-new Ford body and a brand new powerplant release are not synchronized. We would see new powertrains in older vehicles or launch new vehicles with old engines that replaced within 6-12 months with the latest and greatest. The same thing happens with the MKX, but the cabin rather than under the hood. Our tester still had MyLincoln Touch system in the dashboard, but it seems MKXs SYNC equipped headed to dealerships now.

SYNC3 is supposed infotainment game Lincoln improving response time, adding features and the introduction of a platform that will soon accept Apple carplay, Android Auto and integrated applications such as driving instructors insurance. Although I am not the biggest fan of the new graphics used in Ford SYNC3, the system MKX before the Acura and Lexus and BMW spitting distance and Audi in terms of infotainment. The Lexus RX may have a 12-inch LCD screen, but the software that drives the magnificent display is one of my least favorite in the segment. The input method is clumsy, the graphics are old school and he has not the characteristics of the modern smartphone you see in the competition. Infotainment victory: MKX. (RX: 1 - MKX: 3)

Despite the transverse engine layout, the Lincoln engineers have found a way to obtain European power levels on its options V6 engine. The base mill is a 3.7-liter V6 good natural aspiration for 303 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. The mill 3.7-liter bests the Lexus RX 350 3.5 liter engine with some ponies, but that's just where the fun begins.

Next is a 2.7-liter turbocharged V6 borrowed from the F-150 pickup and rotated 0 degrees. Normally, when an engine is switched longitudinal transverse mounting, some power and torque are lost to help maintain the transmission of imploding. The MKX is different.

Thanks to a six-speed automatic with reinforced internal, Lincoln was able to increase the power of 10 horsepower to 335 and torque of 5 ft-lbs to 375. But it is not yet the interesting part. Unless you check the 00 radio button $ for all-wheel drive, the MKX will send 335 ponies and 375 laps ... the front wheels. Despite the lack of speed transaxle eight snazzy we see in the RX, the victory goes to the MKX. (RX: 1 - MKX: 4)

Gobs of torque channeled through the front wheels of a passing 40 books is a recipe for, you guessed of torque. On the other hand, I almost bought a new Lincoln Continental in 00, so apparently massive torque steer is not an issue for me. The rest of you check undoubtedly the case of all-wheel drive option that transforms the MKX driving dynamics.

Lincoln's engineers have taken a page playbook Acura recently and programmed the central coupling all-wheel drive to engage fully and frequently. The result is a neutral feeling that crossed over AWD versions of RDX or RX. The system can not saturate the rear wheels or torque vector as MDX, but the MKX plow less in corners that the transverse cross medium engine.

As with the smaller MKC, AWD comes with active damping suspension system Lincoln. If the suspension is in comfort mode, you get the smoothest ride in this segment by a mile. With the suspension in normal mode, things feel more buttoned down, but there are still many advanced / dive and roll. companies "Sport" to the MKX, but the feeling is not the same as you'd find in a traditional arched vehicle. The reason is that although the dampers can restrict movement, the springs are still pillowy soft.

The soft suspension and incredibly quiet cabin make it the ideal MKX highway cruiser. According to our decibel meter, the MKX was 1 dB quieter than both the Lexus RX and BMW X5, giving the segment a new low noise floor. The variable-ratio steering is precise, moderately weighted and numb as any in this segment. Regarding the traditional Lexus values ​​of an isolated tower and a quiet cabin, the MKX Lexus beats at his own game (RX: 1 - MKX: 5).

The soft suspension and somewhat disconnected steering hides the athletic ability of Lincoln. Push luxury crossovers in the corners and you realize that the MKX handles really well for this segment with a relatively light curb weight. The X5 can be better balanced, but it is also 15 percent heavier. As much as Cadillac has recently touted lightweight construction of the new XT5, the MKX is roughly the same weight including more power.

Despite two less speed than most competitive, our tester ran from 0-60 in 6.2-6.3 seconds depending on the race. This makes the Lincoln faster than the X5 powered by the turbocharged 3.0-liter, faster than the Audi Q7 or Volvo XC0 T6, including faster than RX 350. Performance Winner: MKX. (RX: 1 - MKX: 6)

From $ 39,185 (after a $ 925 destination charge), the MKX is not the case, it used to be, but it is still much cheaper than a European crossroads. Perhaps more importantly, however, it is also $ 3,800 less than a Lexus RX despite being comparable equipped. This price delta increases as you add options with a full load of 3.7 liter naturally aspirated MKX is nearly $ 6,000 less than a comparable RX 350. Our bi-turbo accelerates MKX out on the handles and offers a more polished driving the RX 350 and was $ 2,000 less than RX yet with a similar set of features. Winner Value: MKX. (RX: 1 - MKX: 7)

Are there areas where Lincoln MKX could improve? Without question. Using SYNC3 or MyLincoln Touch is not a problem in my book, but the screen should be bigger and better inside differentiated from other Ford family products. The real parts are not the problem; Lexus Toyota shares much with, after all. The fuel economy during our week average of 19 mpg dull, which is towards the lower end of the segment, although this is offset to a large extent by the MKX being at the top of the straight-line performance of the pack.

The MKX is a return that Lincoln used to be in my mind. The cabin is eerily quiet, thrust is endless, serene ride. In other words, Lincoln created the perfect Lexus.

We must now circle back. Why then the RX outsell the MKX nearly five to one? I have no idea. It is true that Lincoln vehicles are statistically less reliable than Lexus, the brand reliability is above average and essentially identical to Acura. The resale value in the MKX is poorer than the RX, but Lincoln is cheaper and dealer incentives will probably be leveling much of the difference in resale of three years. Ultimately, the answer lies not in the vehicle itself, but in the brand. If this were a competition based strictly on the virtues of the vehicle, the MKX may not be the first in the segment, but it would be at the top of the pack, well above the RX.

Lincoln provided the vehicle insurance and a review of gas

Specifications as tested

0-30 mph: 2.3 seconds

0-60 mph: 6.3 seconds

1 / 4 mile: 14.9 seconds @ 93 mph

[Images: © 2016 Alex Dykes/The Truth About Cars]