Aggressively stylish - The 2009 Lincoln MKS has a very modern look with a subtle retro-feel.
This car is big. I knew it was going to be big, but this car looks
big. The
2009 Lincoln MKS is here at the
NADAguides.com office and it is currently eyeing an employee’s Cadillac CTS-V as if it were a MINI Cooper. Once inside however, the car performs some modern magic and drives much more like the LS than the Town Car.
The interior of the MKS is extremely comfortable. The front seats are fitted with that pin-cushion leather which alerts me that the car is equipped with heated and cooled seats; one of my favorite features of modern cars. However, the MKS takes this a step further and lets the back seat passengers join in on the back-sweat eliminating fun with their own set of heating/cooling settings. With my seat all the way back, the rear seat passengers still have good legroom and everyone stays cool and comfortable.
Besides the temperate leather, the design inside is a modern step for Lincoln yet somehow still evokes feelings of a bygone era. The new Sync system connects to my iPhone for phone calls and to play my music. At the same time, the wood trim and art deco-styled gauges make me think about Lincoln models of the past, including the still Continentals of the Sixties.
If this taillight reminds you of the one from the Maserati Quattroporte … is that a bad thing? (no)
On the outside, the 2009 Lincoln MKS looks big as I said before. Comparing it to the aforementioned Cadillac CTS, the MKS is almost 13 inches longer, 3 ½ inches taller, and 3 ½ inches wider. The style mixes aggressive lines, seen most clearly in the prominent grille, with softer features, such as the way the hood rolls into the shoulder line. The overall effect really works and this car stands out in a great way. The upgraded 19 inch wheels, featuring 255/45 size tires, wrap nicely into the fenders and continue to counter-balance the mix of aggressive and soft style elements.
Big, bold, and clearly visible - the design of the gauges is form and function working together.
The MKS looks big outside and has plenty of room inside so I was expecting it to drive like a boat. Not just any boat, but a sluggish one seeing as it is fitted with a 273 hp 3.7L V6 moving out to an AWD system. Something this size
surely needs a V8 right? I was very wrong here. The six-speed automatic and V6 work very well together and this MKS gets up and goes with little to no effort. It never felt hampered by the 3.7L at any time and I am still surprised by this. With that said it is clear this car is no hot rod and I am excited to drive one with the new EcoBoost motor. In the meantime, this powertrain pairing provides a smooth and luxurious ride with plenty of pickup to pass and/or merge on the highway while returning over 20 mpg on the highway.
The 2009 Lincoln MKS is a stylish luxury sedan that offers plenty of room for the driver and four friends. The exterior is a mix of aggressive and soft design elements, while the interior is a blend of old and new. Both work very well and help make the MKS a knockout style-wise. The engine is a pleasant surprise and the transmission works well to keep the ride smooth. The base price for the 2009 Lincoln MKS AWD is $39,555.00 and the vehicle I reviewed here is $46,070.00. Not a bad price for a stylish luxury sedan when compared to the
Cadillac CTS, and a great price when compared to the
BMW 5-Series and
Mercedes-Benz E-Class.