Brand new for 2009, the Lincoln MKS has made a splash in the full-sized luxury automobile pond. As the flagship of the Lincoln lineup, the five-passenger, four-door MKS comes loaded with features and safety, all packaged in an aggressively handsome body fronted by a grille based on the 1941 Lincoln continental. The ’09 MKS shares its basic chassis design with the Volvo S80 and is built to challenge the Volvo, as well as the Cadillac CTS, the Lexus GS and the Acura RL.

The ’09 MKS is delivered in two trims, FWD and AWD. Both carry the 273-hp 3.7-liter, 24-valve Duratec V6 with variable cam timing (VCT) coupled with a six-speed automatic with Select Shift that gets an EPA-estimated 17/20 MPG in the FWD configuration with the RWD getting 16/23. Lincoln hopes to introduce a turbo charged V6 for the MKS next year. Comfort and convenience features abound, including a MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear, 18-inch painted aluminum wheels, leather seating 12-way power heated and cooled front seats with driver memory, EasyFuel cap-less fuel filler system, a reverse sensing system, power windows, locks and mirrors, SYNC voice-activated communications system with Bluetooth capability, six-disc, six-speaker CD player with Sirius satellite radio, universal garage door opener, heated rear seat, cruise control, power-tilt, wood-accent steering wheel, 18 cubic feet of cargo space and dual zone electronic automated temperature control (EATC) among many other luxurious and practical touches.

Believe it or not, with such an extensive list of standard features, there are still a considerable number of options available for the 2009 MKS, including the Ultimate Package which encompasses 19-inch wheels, adaptive turning headlamps, voice activated nav system, upgraded seating trim and remote start. Available options also include 20-inch 11-spoke polished aluminum wheels, a dual panel power moon roof, 600 amp surround sound stereo with 16 speakers and 10-inch sub, THX-II premium sound system, Sirius Travel Link, backup camera, adaptive cruise control and a forward sensing system.

Safety hasn’t been overlooked in the ’09 MKS with features such as four-wheel ABS with brake assist, traction control, AdvanceTrac electronic stability control, SOS post crash alert system, rollover protection, 4- and 5-star NHTSA front and side crash test ratings, driver and front passenger side impact airbags and first and second row side curtain airbags.

Owners are, for the most part, impressed with the 2009 Lincoln MKS, describing it as comfortable and fast, though some have called the ride “bouncy” and that the MKS is not as agile as expected – but what full-size luxury sedan is? Owners are of a mixed opinion about the MKS regarding fuel efficiency, with some reporting better than advertised average mileage and some not so good. However, comfort, luxury, user-friendly technology and an impressive interior design all leave most drivers more than satisfied the ’09 MKS.