2009 Lincoln MKS Review

Lincoln says that the grille on its all-new MKS flagship sedan was inspired by the grille on the iconic Lincoln Continental. Nothing wrong with reaching back into the past, especially when it works as well as the grille does on the MKS. Honestly, almost everything works well on the new MKS, including the refreshing approach Lincoln is taking with the brand.

When you first walk up to Lincoln's all-new flagship sedan, the MKS, its bold and luxurious front end styling, accented by the large waterfall grille, grab your attention.

Lincoln says the grille on the MKS was inspired by the 1941 Lincoln Continental. Aside from the likable front end, the car is well proportioned and looks athletic.

I like what I see, and so do others. I received numerous positive comments during my weeklong test of the MKS. When I pulled up to a wheel store to do some shopping the guy behind the counter came outside to admire and compliment the looks of my MKS tester.

The same thing happened later that day when I rolled into a tire store. I drive a lot of cars and only occasionally do I receive compliments about the car I'm driving.

The MKS has a warm and inviting interior, too. I enjoyed the plush, comfortable, perforated heated and cooled leather seats.

The leather comes from a Scottish company (Bridge of Weir) and it was chosen for its high quality and its organic, chromium-free tanning. The leather is the softest leather ever used in a Lincoln.

Since MKS shares its platform with the current Ford Taurus, the cabin is spacious. I had plenty of room up front. The rear seat has plenty of room, too, as long as the front seats aren't in their rear-most position.

I found the need to move my seat forward a bit more than I like to allow a long-legged passenger to sit behind me.

MKS is loaded with advanced technologies like adaptive cruise control, keyless operation, voice-activated navigational system with Sirius Travel Link, SYNC, auto high beams, front parking sensors, rear camera, rain-sensing wipers, and a wonderful THX-II audio system.

It would be difficult to pick a favorite one but I especially liked the SYNC, Nav, and audio system. SYNC allows you to link your phone and music stored in your phone to the car's audio system through a Bluetooth connection.

The Nav system with Sirius Travel Link offers a host of convenient features including more than 150 hours of music storage. Users can browse the music juke box via touch-screen or by using voice recognition.

Users can even upload personal pictures from CD to be displayed on the system's home screen. Sirius Travel Link provides users access to up-to-the-minute information including real-time gas prices at the closest stations as well as movie listings and sports scores through the vehicle's navigation system.

The THX-II audio system in the MKS provides excellent theater-like surround sound. It features a 12-channel, 600 watt "smart amp" to deliver digital sound to the system's 16 specially-placed speakers, including a 10-inch subwoofer.

The MKS is offered as a front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) sedan. Under the hood of both models is a 3.7-liter 273-horsepower V-6 engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

I found the V-6 in my MKS AWD tester to be strong when travelling by myself or with one other passenger. But, when loaded down with four adults, the V-6 is just adequate.

Those wanting more power will prefer waiting until later in the model year when a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 that produces an estimated 340 horsepower will be available.

The 3.7-liter V-6 runs fine on regular-unleaded gasoline, but fuel economy isn't that great. The MKS FWD is rated at 17/24 and the MKS AWD is rated at 16/23.

Still, the ride is smooth, quiet, and comfortable. The relatively high seating position provides the driver with a good view of the road.

Lincoln is hoping luxury sedan shoppers will put MKS on their short list. I think they should, but its price tag (MKS FWD - $37,665 and MKS AWD - $39,555) puts the MKS up against some formidable competition.

2009 Lincoln MKS AWD

Engine: 3.7-liter (273 hp) V-6

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Drive type: AWD

Fuel economy: 16 city/23 highway

Base price: $39,555

As tested: $46,070 (including $800 for destination)

Web site: www.lincoln.com