LINCOLN MKX Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

The second generation of the Lincoln MKX was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in the beginning of 2015 and the sales started later that year as a 2016 model. It was a leap forward compared with it predecessor.

It all started with a new platform, the Ford CD4, which was also used for the European Ford Mondeo and some other Lincoln sedans. It also shares the same platform with the Ford Edge. The luxurious SUV introduced new technologies into the Lincoln brand such as the adaptive steering and the optional adaptive LED headlights.

Visually, the vehicle was easy to identify as a Lincoln due to its double-wing front grille that expanded toward the front fenders and incorporated the headlamps. The new-technologies for the 2016 MKX went on and showed LED taillights and lamps in the mirrors that projected a welcoming message downwards when the driver was within 9 feet (3 meters) of the car.

Inside, numerous features brought the MKX into the premium brand territory regarding the materials used, finishes and options. But it had the Sync 2 infotainment unit that couldn't be paired with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. It could be connected to a smartphone only via a dedicated app.

Despite its SUV shape and big size, the MKX was offered as standard with front-wheel-drive, while the all-wheel-drive was available at extra costs. At least, the standard transmission was a 6-speed automatic.

The mid-life cycle facelift for the mid-size SUV from Lincoln came on the market in 2011. It was a great makeover for the 2007 MKX. Since the beginning, it was based on the Ford Edge mid-size SUV and some of the original features were carried over, but in a better way.

On the outside, the mesh grille was completely changed with a bigger, chromed, V-shaped one. It looks bold, whereas the predecessor looks bald. The standard wheels for 2011 were 18” in size and an optional 20” light-alloy wheels were available. In the back, the reshaped bumper made the trunk loading easier. The rear-end was redesigned, and while the pre-facelift had a long wide red lighting element across the vehicle, after the facelift the taillights were smaller, but not small at all.

Inside were a lot of updates. In the instrument cluster, the analog dials were replaced with a TFT color screen that does look way better. The infotainment system was updated with the newest version of Lincoln Sync that has a better CPU processor. The ventilation and audio system were also controlled via touch-bars placed under the infotainment system touchscreen.

The transmission is the same 6-speed automatic gearbox but now the driver has the possibility to change the gears manually. Last, but not least, the new engine is not only more powerful but also more fuel-efficient.

Lincoln MKX was introduced in 2005 as a 2006 model, and it represented the luxurious version for the Ford Edge.

With an increase in demand for crossovers and small SUVs, Ford had to adapt and introduced the Lincoln MKX for the premium-segment. It was offered as a smaller option for the Lincoln Aviator and entered the competition against other premium compact SUVs on the market, such as the Infiniti EX or the Acura RDX.

The chromed grille was kind of bald on the outside, with a grid and five vertical slats. On the lower side of the bumper, the MKX featured chrome-accented fog-lights. The 2006 model's standard wheels were 18" in size, and an optional 20" light-alloy wheels were available. Lincoln MKX featured dual chrome exhaust tips and brake lights backlit by LEDs with a light bar that crossed the MKX's liftgate in the rear.

The interior featured an instrument cluster with square dials for the speedometer and tachometer. The premium version for the Ford Edge featured better materials for the dashboard, seats, and the four-spoke multifunction steering wheel. Lincoln offered the MKX with a panoramic glass roof. The front seats were wide, while the rear ones were reclining up to 15 degrees. A split-folding rear seat seatback was installed to increase the trunk area from 32 cu-ft (906 liters) to 69 cu-ft (1953 liters).

For the drivetrain, the MKX featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired to a 6-speed automatic gearbox that could send the power to the front or all wheels. That setup was similar to the Ford Edge and the Mazda CX9.