2011 Lincoln MKX: Up Close
I’ve never been a fan of the MKX’s cheese grater grille, so I’m glad it’s been replaced for 2011 with Lincoln’s “split-wing grille,” which has migrated to most of its other models.
Step inside, and the MKX takes on a whole new look.
The new appearance is thanks in part to Ford’s new entertainment and communication system, the MyLincoln Touch. We extensively detailed the system in a separate post, but from a purely aesthetic standpoint it gives the MKX one of the most futuristic cabins in its class, with the two configurable LCD screens in the instrument cluster.
Lincoln also made the bold decision to replace the traditional controls in the middle of the dash with touch-sensitive buttons and sliders. The setup doesn’t really offer any kind of improved functionality over traditional knobs — which still make sense for adjusting the volume and tuning radio stations — but it sure looks cool. You just need a small amount of pressure to activate functions such as basic climate and stereo settings. Ford says the sliders work with gloved hands, too, which is something that the iPod’s scroll wheel has trouble with sometimes. This setup goes a long way to make the MKX feel like a modern technological marvel, but it doesn’t do anything to make it more luxurious on its own compared with the competition. Of course, getting rid of the outgoing model’s bulky buttons sure does.
Interior spaciousness hasn’t appreciably changed. The front bucket seats are comfy, but the backseat’s low seat height means that adult passengers sit with their knees up and without much thigh support. The split backrests recline quite far, but you can’t slide the seat backward for more legroom.
