Lincoln MKX

The Lincoln MKX is a mid-size luxury crossover (CUV) from Ford's Lincoln division and a de facto successor to the Lincoln Aviator luxury SUV. It debuted as a 2007 model in December 2006 as a production version of the Lincoln Aviator Concept shown at the 2004 North American International Auto Show. Other than unique styling and some premium features, the MKX is closely related to its sister vehicle the Ford Edge, sharing Ford's CD3 platform, powertrain, body panels, and other design elements. The MKX is of unibody construction and is natively front-wheel drive with available all-wheel drive. Its sole powertrain is a 3.5 L Duratec V6 mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The MKX can seat up to five people. The MKX is a stark contrast to its predecessor, the Aviator, which was based on the Ford Explorer's rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive body-on-frame platform, came with a standard V8, and was larger with seating for up to seven people. The 2007 MKX debuted with a base MSRP of $35,770 USD, ranging up to the mid-$40,000 USD range when fully optioned. The MKX is built alongside its Ford Edge sibling at Ford's Oakville Assembly Plant in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.

Development
The Lincoln MKX first appeared in concept form at the 2004 North American International Auto Show as a new and much different iteration of the Lincoln Aviator. In a significant departure from the larger, Explorer-based Aviator that was already in production at the time, the Aviator Concept was smaller and more car-like, being based on Ford's natively front-wheel drive CD3 platform (the concept featured an all-wheel drive system). The sole powertrain of the Aviator Concept was Ford's new 3.5 L Duratec DOHC V6 (still under development at the time) mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The concept's V6 was rated at 245 hp and 240 lbft. The Aviator Concept also differed from the production Aviator stylistically with an all-new grille design, inspired by those of classic Lincolns like the 1961 Continental, and an innovative glass roof. As a crossover, as opposed to an SUV, the Aviator Concept was designed to appeal to luxury buyers who might normally consider vehicles such as the Infiniti FX or Lexus RX.

Development of a production version of the Aviator Concept was authorized with a sales debut set for late 2006. Along with a number of revisions to the concept in the process of creating the production model, the Aviator received a new name: MKX. The new name followed a new nomenclature developed by Lincoln to mimic the alphanumeric naming schemes used by other luxury automakers like Lexus and Acura. The MKZ luxury sedan was the first Lincoln to follow this nomenclature, being closely followed by the MKX. Management at Lincoln originally announced the MKX with a "Mark-Eks" pronunciation during the 2006 auto show circuit, but eventually changed it to the phonetic "em-kay-eks" due to confusion observed among focus groups and dealership personnel. Due to the similarity of the MKX name, regardless of pronunciation, to the MDX name used by Acura for their competing luxury crossover, Honda, Acura's parent company, filed a lawsuit against Ford in January of 2006, eventually settling the case out of court.

First generation (2007–present)
The 2007 MKX debuted in December 2006 as a luxury counterpart to the closely related Ford Edge. Many of the design elements of the MKX were carried over, albeit with some revision, from the 2004 Lincoln Aviator Concept, including the vehicle's Continental-inspired grille, V6 powertrain, glass roof, and overall shape. In addition to the chrome, Continental-inspired grille, the MKX's front fascia features jeweled projector-beam headlight assemblies with standard chrome-accented fog lights mounted in the lower fascia. The MKX features an optional adaptive headlight system that pivots the aim of the light projectors to match the steering inputs of the driver, improving visibility when turning corners. In the rear, the MKX features dual chrome exhaust tips and brake lights backlit by LEDs with a light bar that crosses the MKX's liftgate, creating a bridge between the brake lights. In spite the differences in the front and rear ends, the MKX's beltline and greenhouse are very similar to that of the Edge, reducing some the stylistic distinctiveness that the MKX enjoys over its lower-priced sibling. The optional Panoramic Vista Roof is the production version of the glass roof feature shown on the 2004 Aviator Concept. The Vista Roof features a forward power sunroof and a fixed rear moonroof with dual power sunshades. Though a first on a Lincoln vehicle, the Vista Roof is also available on the Ford Edge.

The MKX's interior design is differentiated from the Edge with a layout and materials comparable to that of the Lincoln MKZ. Like the MKZ's interior, the interior of the MKX features standard leather seating surfaces and satin nickel trim and real wood accents in the steering wheel, dash area, and door panels. Complementing its premium materials and appearance, the MKX features thick carpeting and extensive sound-deadening to provide a quiet ride. Other luxury conveniences include automatic headlights, dual power heated mirrors with puddle lamps, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, power windows with single touch up and down functions and Global Open (opens all windows simultaneously), power locks, remote keyless entry with keypad, theater dimming for the interior lights, cruise control, air conditioning with automatic climate control, 8-way power drive and passenger seats, a message center with compass, and a six speaker, AM/FM stereo radio with a 6-disc CD changer. Interior options include power driver and passenger lumbar supports, heated front seats, heated and cooled front seats (separate option), heated rear seats, an Easy Fold automatic folding second-row seat, a reverse sensing system, a power liftgate, a DVD-based navigation system, Sirius satellite radio, and a THX II-Certified audio system with 14 speakers. MKX's safety features include a tire pressure monitoring system, three-point seat belts, dual front-side airbags, front seat-deployed side airbags, and Safety Canopy curtain airbags.

Mechanically, the Lincoln MKX is virtually identical to the Ford Edge. Both vehicles share Ford's CD3 platform, featuring a rigid unibody construction that provides good driving dynamics and strong structural integrity for durability and safety. A four-wheel independent suspension is also common between the MKX and Edge with a MacPherson strut front suspension with L-shaped lower control arms and a four-link rear suspension with stamped steel control blades and monotube shocks. Both the front and rear suspensions feature an isolated subframe and stabilizer bar. Four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes are standard in all models with Ford's AdvanceTrac traction control system with Roll Stability Control (RSC) optional. The MKX and Edge are front-wheel drive standard with all-wheel drive optional. The MKX comes with standard 18-inch machined aluminum wheels with 18-inch chrome wheels optional. The sole powertrain in the MKX is an all-aluminum, 3.5 L Duratec DOHC V6 mated to Ford's 6F50 6-speed automatic transmission. Like the Edge, which shares the powertrain, the MKX's engine produces 265 hp at 6,250 rpm and 250 lbft of torque at 4,500 rpm; noticeable improvements over what the Aviator Concept's engine was rated at. The MKX, Edge, and Lincoln MKZ were the first recipients of Ford's 3.5 L Duratec V6. Front-wheel drive versions of the MKX come with a 19 usgal fuel tank while all-wheel drive models come with a 20 usgal fuel tank. The MKX has a base curb weight of 4220 lb when front-wheel drive only and 4420 lb when equipped with all-wheel drive.

For 2008 the Lincoln MKX gained a number of new features and several previously optional features were now standard. In addition, the Lincoln badges are added near the front doors. New features included Lincoln SYNC, Limited Edition and Monochromatic Limited Edition packages with unique styling elements and 20-inch chrome wheels, and a voice-activated DVD navigation system. Previously optional features that were now standard included AdvanceTrac with RSC, a reverse sensing system, Sirius satellite radio, the THX II-Certified audio system, heated and cooled front seats, and driver and passenger power lumbar supports. No major changes were made for the 2009 MKX.

2011 facelift
The refreshened Lincoln MKX was first revealed at the 2010 North American Auto Show in Detroit on January 11, 2010. The new MKX features redesigned front and rear fascia designs, a new interior, and MyLincoln Touch, the next generation of the Ford Sync system. A new 3.7L Duratec 37 engine is now available; it produces 305 hp and features Twin independent Variable Cam Timing (Ti-VCT).