2010 Lincoln MKT review: 2010 Lincoln MKT

Pricing Unavailable
  • Available Engine Gas
  • Body style Wagon

Roadshow Editors' Rating

7.8 Overall
  • Cabin tech 9
  • Performance tech 7
  • Design 7




Photo gallery:
2010 Lincoln MKT




Striking features





The optional refrigerator can hold a few bottles of water.


Effortless driving



THX designed a high-end audio system for the MKT.

While automatic features are fun, our enjoyment in driving the MKT also came from the THX audio system, which bathed the cabin in a nearly palpable soundscape, as long as we fed it the right sort of music. Its 5.1 channel surround programming handles modern recordings well, expanding audio layers to really immerse you in the music. The audio inspired warm feelings as we enjoyed our little aural cave. But some older recordings, especially when played from a compressed MP3 audio source, didn't take particular advantage of the system. This system could change your musical tastes.

Available on the MKT, but lacking in our car was the new automatic parking system that identifies appropriately sized parallel parking spots, then turns the wheel as you work the gas, brake, and transmission. From our tests of this system in other Lincoln cars, it works very well and would be a welcome addition in the big MKT. An essential feature is the rearview camera, which makes up for the limited rear visibility when driving. This camera has distance lines overlaid on the view, but it doesn't show moving trajectory lines, an advanced feature used by GM, Nissan, and Audi.

Sync still rules
As Lincoln is a Ford brand, the MKT comes standard with Sync, the Microsoft-developed connection technology for MP3 players and cell phones that still stands head and shoulders above the competition. Some automakers, such as Kia and Lexus, are now offering Bluetooth phone systems that let you give the voice command system the name of the person you want to call, similar to Sync. But no other automaker yet lets you use voice command to request music by artist, album, or song name. Although Sync is two years old now, we still get a kick out of saying "play Gorillaz," for example, and having the system understand what we want to hear. It's also practical, as it keeps us from having to look through a list of artists on the car's LCD while cruising along at 70 mph.

Because of this MP3 player integration, and that the navigation system's hard drive can also hold music, the CD/DVD slot in the car is limited to a single disc. You just don't need multiple disc capacity when you can pack hundreds of albums on a portable device that integrates so well with the car.

The stereo also plays music from Bluetooth streaming devices, but we had some conflicts when plugging an iPhone to the car's USB port while it was paired to the Bluetooth system. We don't know whether that's a problem with the car or the iPhone, but it seemed to prioritize Bluetooth streaming, blocking the USB port connection. This conflict is problematic because Bluetooth streaming doesn't offer the same voice command and onscreen interface as the hard-line connection.

Sirius Travel Link shows traffic, weather, gas prices, movie times, and sports scores.

The navigation system also stands out for its Sirius Travel Link feature. This service not only integrates traffic and weather data with the navigation system, something becoming common in other cars, but also adds fuel prices from nearby gas stations, movie schedules, and sports scores. Although we would like to see stock prices added to the in-car data, the fuel price information alone is incredibly useful, and something that no other carmaker incorporates yet.

The navigation system's performance is generally good, and we especially like the traffic jam warnings where the system will find detours. However, its map resolution is a little poor. Companies such as Audi and BMW have gone to the extreme of offering detailed, textured maps with topographical features, but even GM, in the GMC Terrain, came up with very readable, bright and clear maps. Lincoln would be wise to upgrade its maps.

One tech feature we didn't expect to see in operation was the collision warning system. Making use of the adaptive cruise control's radar, the system looks at the Lincoln's speed versus any car or big object ahead, flashing a red warning light across the windshield if the Lincoln is closing too fast. This warning lit up for us on city streets, as we came up to a car stopped at a traffic light, and on the freeway in stop-and-go traffic. In each case, we were aware of the situation and in no danger of an actual crash, but a little late at stepping on the brakes. The red lights flashed, a tone sounded, and we mentally noted that yes, the collision warning system works.

In sum
With its sheer amount of tech features and comfortable ride, the 2010 Lincoln MKT was a car we enjoyed driving, and is one that we wanted to spend more time in. And as we drive a lot of cars, that's a big testament to the MKT's quality. The engine offered the power to get the car moving quickly, without turbo lag, while the handling was reasonable for its size. Its fuel economy is a problem, though, especially when you put it up against a hybrid like the Lexus RX 450h, pulling in about 30 mpg.

Cabin tech has been a strong point for Ford company cars in the last few years, and the MKT doesn't let us down in this regard. The navigation system's maps look a bit dated, but feature-wise, you would have a hard time finding a car that matches the MKT. Lincoln also has been upping its game with the driver aid technology, filling in a tech gap previously lacking in Ford company vehicles. Aesthetically, the MKT needs a little more cohesiveness from its rear-end design around the sides of the car. But if you need to transport many people in comfort, the MKT fits the bill.

Spec box

Model2010 Lincoln MKT
TrimAWD Ecoboost
Power trainTwin turbo direct injection 3.5-liter V-6
EPA fuel economy16 mpg city/22 mpg highway
Observed fuel economy17.3 mpg
NavigationOptional hard drive-based with traffic, weather, and other data
Bluetooth phone supportStandard
Disc playerSingle CD/DVD, MP3 compatible
MP3 player supportiPod, Zune, many others
Other digital audioUSB drive, internal hard drive, Bluetooth streaming, auxiliary input, satellite radio
Audio systemTHX II 14 speaker 600 watt 5.1 surround sound
Driver aidsRearview camera, blind spot warning, adaptive cruise control, collision warning, automatic high beams, automatic parallel parking
Base price$49,200
Price as tested$57,375

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