2013 Lincoln MKT 3.5L with EcoBoost AWD Review By John Heilig

THE AUTO PAGE
By JOHN HEILIG
THE AUTO CHANNEL

SPECIFICATIONS

Model: 2013 Lincoln MKT 3.5L with EcoBoost AWD

Engine: 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6

Horsepower/Torque: 365 hp @ 5,700 rpm/350 lb.-ft. @ 1,500-5,250 rpm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Wheelbase: 117.9 in.

Length/Width/Height: 207.6 x 79.9 x 67.4 in.

Tires: P255/45R20

Cargo volume: 17.9/39.6/75.9 cu. ft. (behind 3rd row/2nd row/1st row)

Fuel economy: 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway/17.9 mpg test

Fuel capacity: 18.6 gal.

Curb weight: 4,942 lbs.

Sticker: $58,045 (includes $875 delivery charge, $9,890 in options)

The Bottom Line: The luxury version of the Ford Flex, the Lincoln MKT is a three-row full-size SUV that is a pleasure to drive for long or short trips. It has cargo capacity as well as comfort to offer just about anything you'd want in this type of vehicle.

Even though the Lincoln MKT is built on the same platform as the Ford Flex, it appears to be much bigger. Dimensionally, however, the two vehicles are almost identical, with the exception that the MKY is about 6 inches longer. It could be the styling, or the black exterior color of the MKT that made it resemble a hearse, but there's a visual difference that is palpable.

That hearse comment was not meant to disparage the MKT. In fact, it would probably make a great hearse instead of the ones that are being used today.

I thoroughly enjoyed having the MKT for an extended test that took us on numerous different roads and on trips of varied lengths. We found it comfortable to ride in and drive, with automatic everything (mostly part of the $3,500 Elite option package) to make our journeys easier.

Under the hood is an Ecoboost 3.5-liter V6 that produces 365 horsepower. The Ecoboost label makes you think economy, but we only averaged 17.9 mpg on our test. That's within the EPA estimated economy numbers, but still lower than I would have liked. The MKT has a hefty 4,942-pound curb weight.

The engine has good power for anything you ask of it - Interstate merging, climbing hills and puttering around town to the grocery store The 6-speed automatic transmission shifted smoothly.

Among the automatic features is a power fold third row seat. Now, third row seats are usually more of an inconvenience than useful and we didn't carry anyone back there in our test, but folding them is usually a bigger problem. Not with the MKT. Just push a button and the seat backs fold into a well behind them creating a flat storage floor. If you want to keep the third row seat backs up, the well is a good storage place.

We also had blind spot monitoring with side alert as well as crash avoidance. The side alert works nicely when someone is driving into your path when you're backing up.

My biggest complaint with the MKT was the same one I had with the MKS I drove earlier. The audio system volume and the HVAC system fan control are both sliding switches on the dash. Especially with the audio, the switch seems touchy and it's a problem finding the right setting. We used the buttons on the steering wheel instead most of the time. It's not such a big deal with the fan speed control, but adjusting it is still a pain.

The front seats are comfortable and offer good support. We had a problem with the head rests in that they intruded into our head space at the wrong spots.

In between the second row seats is a console that contains a cooler ($895). It kept our water cool on longer trips, for example, and provided a constant source of amusement for our granddaughters when we picked them up from school.

In the rear are inflatable seat belts and shoulder harnesses ($190) which protect the occupant in an accident. However, these are a bear to use when you're trying to "plug in" a child booster seat. The good news is that the insert part has a longer firm part that makes it easier to hold.

Of course I liked the heated seats and heated steering wheel in colder weather. The FoMoCo capless fuel filler is a blessing.

While the Lincoln MKT as equipped carries a healthy sticker, it also had nearly $10,000 in options, many of which can be eliminated when you're shopping. The overall vehicle, though, is a solid product with enough base features to keep any driver happy.

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