Nuts & Bolts
2009 Lincoln MKS
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Complaints: There's too much stuff in the Lincoln MKS, including electronic bell tones that make you wonder if you are starting a car or a computer. The power seats are unnecessarily complicated. The interior just feels overdone.
Ride, acceleration and handling: The MKS feels a bit heavy and sluggish in congested urban traffic. But it soars and corners nicely on the open road.
Head-turning quotient: Mixed verdict. There were people who loved the exterior styling, which is highlighted by a modern interpretation of Lincoln's signature split grille. We were among those applauding. There were people who raved about the car's interior. We were not among them.
Body style/layout: The MKS is a front-engine, full-size luxury sedan with a traditional notchback trunk, available with front-wheel or all-wheel drive.
Engine/transmission: Standard equipment in the MKS includes a 3.7-liter, 24-valve V-6 that develops 270 horsepower at 6,250 rpm and 265 foot-pounds of torque at 4,250 rpm. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that also can be shifted manually.
Capacities: There are seats for five people. Luggage capacity is 18.7 cubic feet. The MKS can tow up to 1,000 pounds. Fuel capacity is 19 gallons of "recommended" premium gasoline, which is "recommended for best performance," meaning it's okay to use regular-grade gas. (The Lucerne Super runs on regular.)
Mileage: We averaged 17 miles per gallon in city traffic and 22 mpg on the highway, roughly the mileage we got in the eight-cylinder Lucerne Super.
Safety: Standard equipment includes four-wheel disc brakes with antilock protection, electronic stability and traction control, and side and head air bags.
Price: The base price on the 2009 Lincoln MKS with all-wheel drive is $39,555. Dealer's invoice price on that model is $36,419. Price as tested is $46,070, including $5,715 in options (the "ultimate package" -- rain-sensing wipers, voice-activated navigation system with backup camera, push-button ignition, power rear-window sunshade, THX-II premium sound system, 19-inch premium-paint cast aluminum wheels) and an $800 destination charge. Dealer's price as tested is $42,134. Prices sourced from Lincoln, Edmunds.com and Cars.com, an affiliate of The Washington Post.
Purse-strings note: A big, beautiful luxury sedan facing stiff competition from the most unlikely source -- Buick, as represented by the equally big and beautiful Lucerne Super.
