2012 Lincoln MKX Trims and Specs

After overcoming a rocky start, Lincoln’s next-gen MKX Base midsize crossover rides a revamped reputation, not to mention 18-inch alloy wheels, into the 2012 model year. Toting 5-passenger seating, 5 doors, including a standard power liftgate, and 68.6 cubic feet of total cargo area, this luxury-minded mini-ute also offers a rear spoiler, standard leather upholstery, heated power-adjustable front seats, reclining rear seats and full power accessories, including heated power-adjustable outside mirrors.

Standard convenience features, meantime, like cruise control and telescoping tilt-wheel steering, are bolstered by an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, memory for driver's settings, a universal remote garage door opener and rear parking sensors. The leather steering wheel mounts paddle shifters as well as cruise and audio controls and is nicely complemented by standard leather, alloy and chrome cabin accents.

All of this is once more embraced by dual-zone auto climate control, while SYNC and MyLincoln Touch voice-activated and touchscreen infotainment technology is backed up by Bluetooth hands-free calling. Entertainment, meanwhile, is presented via a single-CD player boasting 10 speakers and remains complemented by satellite radio, a memory card slot and a USB port.

Options include a number of packages that include everything from a panoramic power sunroof to SYNC-integrated navigation. Upgraded leather, heated second-row seating, a rear-view camera, power-adjustable heated steering wheel and 14-speaker THX II premium audio, along with rear-seat DVD entertainment, remain available in package form, as well. Once again, a number of packaged items are available as standalone options, along with such individualized add-ons as genuine wood cabin trim and a pair of upgraded 20-inch alloy wheel styles, with a Class II trailer towing group, rear-seat DVD entertainment, a roof rack with side rails, and genuine wood cabin accents.

Powering the 2012 MKX Base is a peppy 3.7-liter V6 engine, while a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission ensures that all 305 horses and all 280 lb-ft of torque are squeezed out of the six-banger. With the V6’s variable valve timing (VVT), this front-wheel-drive (FWD) crossover should get 19 mpg city/26 highway, with towing maxed out at 3,500 pounds when properly equipped.

Notable standard safety equipment, finally, includes 4-wheel antilock brakes, traction and stability control, front and rear head airbags, front fog/driving lights and front side-mounted airbags. Ford’s touted MyKey programmable speed and audio limiting technology is, of course, standard, as is SOS Post-Crash Alert technology, and a remote antitheft alarm also remains standard. The BLIS blind-spot warning system with cross-path alerts, as well as adaptive high-intensity-discharge (HID) headlights, rain-sensing wipers, adaptive cruise control with emergency braking preparation and turn-signal-integrated mirrors are all available on selected options packages.

Put traction-heavy all-wheel drive (AWD) into the luxury-oriented 2012 Lincoln MKX, and behold the MKX AWD. This 5-seat, 5-door midsize crossover boasts 68.6 cubic feet of total cargo space, as well as 18-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, a power rear liftgate and heated power-adjustable mirrors adorning its relatively prehistoric profile. Inside, this upgraded crossover flaunts leather upholstery, heated power-adjustable front seats, reclining rear seats, driver memory settings and full power accessories.

Convenience-wise, cruise control and telescoping tilt-wheel steering are bolstered by a universal remote garage door opener, rear parking sensors and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror. The leather steering wheel (with mounted audio and cruise controls), fits in nicely with leather, alloy and chrome cabin accents, while all are embraced by dual-zone auto climate control. Of course, SYNC and MyLincoln Touch voice-activated and touch-screen infotainment remains standard, and it’s all backed by Bluetooth hands-free communications.

Entertainment hasn’t been neglected, with a single-CD player powering 10 speakers, while the popular trio of satellite radio, a memory card slot and a USB port provide a harmonious backup.

A number of available packages feature such exotic additions as upgraded 20-inch alloy wheels, a power panoramic sunroof and SYNC-integrated navigation, while upgraded leather, heated second-row seating, a power-adjustable and heated steering wheel and a rear-view camera are also offered in package form. The well-wrought 14-speaker THX II premium audio system, meantime, along with rear-seat DVD entertainment can be included in the popular navigation package. Many of the above items, of course, are available as standalone options, as are a Class II hitch and wiring, genuine wood cabin accents and a roof rack with side rails.

The peppy 3.7-liter V6 engine again mates with a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission, allowing the 2012 MKX AWD to put out 305 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. With variable valve timing (VVT), look for mileage in the vicinity of 17 mpg city/26 highway, while the AWD system again allows normal cruising in front-wheel drive (FWD), while ready at a split second to switch torque automatically from the wheels that slip to the wheels that grip. Oh, and this midsize ute can tow up to 3,200 pounds when properly equipped.

Standard safety equipment remains 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front and rear head airbags, front side-mounted airbags, front fog/driving lights, SOS Post-Crash Alerts and a remote antitheft alarm. Ford’s ballyhooed MyKey programmable speed and audio settings, meantime, also remain one of this crossover’s major safety features.

Optional safety equipment, meanwhile, includes BLIS blind-spot warning with cross- traffic alerts, adaptive high-intensity-discharge (HID) headlights, turn-signal-integrated mirrors, adaptive cruise control and rain-sensing wipers, all available in select packages.