Slated to go on sale in the late summer of 2010, the 2011 Lincoln MKX isn’t your father’s MKX, or even your older sister’s, for that matter. For the coming year, some significant upgrades will give this five-passenger midsize crossover a new look both inside and out, while a number of tweaks to the suspension and its 3.5-liter V6 are expected to improve handling characteristics and to boost horsepower and torque while retaining reasonable fuel efficiency. Additionally, the highly anticipated, touch-screen-heavy MyLincoln Touch center stack will incorporate nearly all the technological functions, including audio, navigation, and climate control into a single LCD screen, with sliding control surfaces replacing many of the old buttons and switches. Of course, the well-regarded SYNC system remains standard, as does the popular MyKey speed- and volume-limiting system.
The new MKX is scheduled to remain available in a single Base trim level, with front-wheel drive (FWD) standard and all-wheel drive (AWD) available. This luxury crossover is in direct competition with Lexus’ RX 350 and Cadillac’s SRX, both formidable vehicles, though the RX 350 will be considerably pricier than the MKX, while the Caddy seemingly lacks the added refinement of Lincoln’s redesigned crossover.
A new and improved, twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine powers the 2011 MKX, while it retains a silky-smooth six-speed auto-manual transmission. This combo bumps the power to 355 hp and ups torque to 350 lb-ft, enough oomph to tow 3,500 pounds of trailer when properly equipped. Mileage is expected to remain in the 21-22 mpg range on average, though grumbling has been heard that 2010’s MKX does not get quite the mileage advertised. Stay tuned!
Appearance features and creature comforts remain plentiful and futuristic for the 2011 MKX, with the SYNC and new MyLincoln Touch systems sharing the technological spotlight. Appearance-wise, 18-inch polished alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, and a trailer hitch and wiring are all standard, with 20-inch polished aluminum wheels also available for a more distinctive stance. Standard cabin features are expected to include, besides the power-opening Vista sunroof, leather upholstery, multi-level heated, power-adjustable front seats, split-folding rear seats (allowing some 69 cubic feet of total cargo space), remote power door locks with keypad entry, power windows and heated mirrors, telescoping tilt-wheel steering, keyless ignition, adaptive cruise control with steering-wheel-mounted controls, remote start, dual-zone climate control, and memory for driver’s settings, as well as wood, alloy, and leather cabin and dash trim.
Standard technological amenities should include a 390-watt Sony premium audio system, including a single-CD player with 10 speakers and Sirius satellite radio, along with SYNC/Bluetooth infotainment and communications technology and a hard-drive navigation system, each integrated into the state-of-the-art MyLincoln Touch video-screen control center. Expected options, meanwhile, are a heated steering wheel, 14-speaker THX audio upgrade, rear-view camera, ambient lighting, and heated rear seats available in three options packages, the Premier, Elite, and Limited Edition.
Considered by many to be one of the more safety-oriented crossovers available, the 2011 MKX is expected to retain such standard safety features as four-wheel ABS, traction and stability control, dual front side-mounted airbags, front and rear head airbags, blind-spot warning capability, a pre-collision safety system that includes emergency braking preparation, front and rear parking sensors, front fog/driving lights, daytime running lights, adaptive HID headlights, remote anti-theft alarm, and the SOS post-collision safety system. Additionally, the standard, teen-driver-oriented MyKey limiting system allows owners to control speed and audio volume when one of the kids borrows the car.
Though owners of the 2010 MKX by and large remain impressed with their vehicle, complaints of less-than-advertised mileage have been heard, while an overabundance of plastic is said to mar an otherwise well-wrought cabin. Tweaks to the 2011 version are anticipated to alleviate both glitches, but the jury’s still out until this top-shelf crossover goes on sale. Meanwhile, ride comfort, the ever-popular SYNC system, cabin room, and elegant styling, both inside and outside, and the 2010 MKX’s vaunted safety scores, praiseworthy as they are, can be expected to get even better for 2011.
Best Answer My sister has a 2011 Lincoln MKX and her water pump sheared off or something! Her car quit, got it towed to a Lincoln dealer and they say she has water in the motor and would be cheaper to put a new motor in her car!!!! $7,000. Wow! Do Lincoln’s have defaulty water pumps in these high dollar cars?? Just seems really weird to me in such a newer car! Has anyone else had this problem? Anyone have a solution??
my windows on my 2011 lincoln mkt goes up some days and stops working others, how can I fix this?
I have a Lincoln MKX 2011 that I recently purchased used. A few weeks back, I had got the left inner tie rod and front right bearing replaced. I had also got the power steering pressure hose replaced two months ago. Today I noticed some rubbing or friction sound from near the wheels when I am turning tightly while moving slowly like in my parking. I didn't notice it while driving at speed. What could be causing this rubbing sound?
Our sunroof exploded while driving on a divided highway with no one in sight in front of us. Ford says it doesn't warranty glass breakage. Ford says the edge of glass must have chipped at some time and shattered when the vehicle flexed while driving on the highway. The chance of chipping the edge without shattering the whole glass at the same time seems remote to me.
A few days ago the headlight on the passenger side started turning off while driving. I thought it needed to be replaced, but it would randomly turn back on. Now both headlights are going off while driving and I have to turn the switch off and back on to get them to work.
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Memory card slot auxiliary audio input · In-Dash CD: DVD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 13 · 600 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 11.7 · Front brake width: 1.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.9 · Rear brake width: .43 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage · Center console trim: alloy · Dash trim: wood · Door sill trim: illuminated scuff plate · Door trim: aluminum · Floor Mat Material: premium carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: wood
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power driver seat · Keyless entry: keypad · Memorized settings: 2 driver · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: cargo net · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.16
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: chrome · Door handle color: chrome · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Grille color: chrome · License plate bracket: front · Mirror color: body-color · Paint: special factory paint · Rear spoiler color: black · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated
Header
Option Delete: Generic
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: SYNC · Infotainment screen size: 8 in. · Video monitor location: front · Video monitor size: 7 · Video system: auxiliary audio/video input
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Headlights: adaptive · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Heated: second row · Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: sliding sunshade · Rear moonroof: fixed glass · Roof rails: black · Sunroof: one-touch
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system · Parking sensors: rear · Programmable safety key: MyKey
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: premium leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: full-size
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Stability and Traction
Accident Avoidence Systems: pre-collision safety system
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Navigation system: hard drive navigation system w/voice activation · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Diameter: 18 · Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: chrome aluminum
Towing and Hauling
Trailer hitch: Class II · Trailer wiring: 4-pin
Video System
Video games: Audio/Video Input
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Rear wiper: with washer
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · USB auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · HD radio · Sirius Satellite Radio · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 13 · 600 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 12.6 · Front brake width: 1.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.9 · Rear brake width: .43 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage · Center console trim: alloy · Dash trim: wood · Door sill trim: illuminated scuff plate · Door trim: wood · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power driver seat · Keyless entry: keypad · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 4 total · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: in-floor · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
4WD Type: on demand · Axle ratio: 3.39 · Limited slip differential: center
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: chrome · Door handle color: chrome · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Grille color: chrome · License plate bracket: front · Mirror color: body-color · Paint: special factory paint · Rear spoiler color: black · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated
Header
Option Delete: Generic
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: SYNC · Infotainment screen size: 8 in. · Video monitor location: front · Video monitor size: 7 · Video system: DVD player
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Headlights: auto delay off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Heated: second row · Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: sliding sunshade · Rear moonroof: fixed glass · Roof rails: black · Sunroof: sliding sunshade
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system · Parking sensors: rear · Programmable safety key: MyKey
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: full-size
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Stability and Traction
Accident Avoidence Systems: pre-collision safety system
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Navigation system: hard drive navigation system w/voice activation · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Diameter: 18 · Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: chrome aluminum
Towing and Hauling
Trailer hitch: Class II · Trailer wiring: 4-pin
Video System
Video games: Audio/Video Input
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Liftgate window: fixed · Rear wiper: with washer