2016 Lincoln MKS Road Test and Review

2016 Lincoln MKS hero ・ Photo by Lincoln

Ford's luxury division is in a transition mode, and the 2016 Lincoln MKS, for one, is about to transition its way right out of the Lincoln lineup. In its place will be a new flagship sedan for the brand, in the form of a reborn Lincoln Continental that's slated to go on sale this fall. Until that time, the MKS will serve as a surprisingly high value choice for luxury brands, thanks to an MSRP that is, literally, tens of thousands of dollars lower than for similarly sized, foreign-branded luxury sedans. The MKS even undercuts the cost of its archrival from Cadillac, the XTS.

But does the Lincoln still furnish the fullsize luxury needed to compete with those vehicles? Let’s find out!

Pricing

Now, the reason we focus on pricing is because of the eye-catching MSRP of the 2016 Lincoln MKS, which starts at $39,010. No one would confuse the MKS with an economy car at that price point, but it's also half the MSRP of the 2016 Audi A8 L, a car that's only two inches longer than the MKS. Indeed, a full-size European luxury sedan will set you back at least $81,000; the premium compact Mercedes-Benz C-Class, a car that's a foot and a half shorter in length than the Lincoln, is stickered just $60 below the base price of the MKS. The EcoBoosted, all-wheel-drive MKS is a relatively affordable $46,000.

Photo by Lincoln

Trim Levels

The 2016 Lincoln MKS actually doesn't offer traditional trim levels. Instead, the car is available in one very well-equipped configuration, with Lincoln noting that the MKS is the only vehicle in its class with standard continuously controlled suspension damping. Able to read and respond to road conditions in just fractions of a second, this technology is a key to the MKS' comfortable ride and handling.

Also, owners can add an Elite equipment package to the MKS, for a $3,250 premium, and that brings navigation, upscale audio, massaging front seats and the kind of high-tech safety measures expected from the luxury brands. The package can be complemented with some a la carte options, too, including a dual-panel moonroof.

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Powertrains, Performance and Efficiency

Standard under the hood for the 2016 Lincoln MKS is the proven 3.7-liter naturally aspirated V6, which engineers have tuned here for 304 horsepower and 279 lb.-ft. of torque. That's a little less output when compared to the Europeans of the same size as the Lincoln, although it is more than from the rival entries that are at the same MSRP level as the MKS. Regardless, standard fuel economy ratings for the Lincoln are at 17 mpg city/26 mpg highway/20 mpg combined.

The high-efficiency high performance delivered by EcoBoost technologies—combining turbocharging and direct injection—dials up a heftier 365 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque in the MKS, while allowing drivers to see an EPA line of 16/24/19.

Exterior Design and Lighting

The 2016 Lincoln MKS has a smooth, unfussy shape, with a rather elegant execution of the brand's split-wing grille, along with a surprisingly light-on-its-feet look for a car that stretches 205.6 inches in length. The "extended-length" Audi A8 L mentioned above, for all its extension, is less than 2 inches longer. The Cadillac XTS is 3 inches shorter.

As for that grille, its wing tips end in adaptive HID (high-intensity discharge) headlights that swivel, based on the car's steering wheel angle and speed, to better illuminate the road ahead. Additionally, those headlamps have automatic high beams that switch to low beams for vehicles ahead of the MKS. LED taillamps then deliver a bright lighting signature for the rear.

Photo by Lincoln

Interior Design and Capacities

A luxurious cabin can make up for much in the premium car segments, and the richly appointed interior of the 2016 Lincoln MKS is a particular highlight here. For example, the available Bridge of Weir leather, from a noted Scottish manufacturer of premium hides, creates supple surfaces throughout, while multiple real wood trim choices are offered for warm, expressive design cues. The accommodations are likewise luxurious—and comfortable. In fact, available multicontour seats have built-in, automatic air cushions that can be set to deliver an energizing massage for front-seat occupants. The driver and front-seat passenger also can benefit from heated and cooled seats, with heating an option for the rear as well.

Standard is a massive trunk with a 19.2-cubic-foot cargo capacity

Photo by Lincoln

Infotainment and Audio

Next-generation SYNC 3 infotainment technology is standard on the 2016 Lincoln MKS, complete with improved voice-recognition capability, faster processing speeds and an easier-to-use interface. Adding the SYNC AppLink can boost connectivity further, by allowing MKS owners to use voice control for a variety of mobile apps.

Also on the menu is an enhanced navigation function for the car's SYNC system, and this includes a 6-year subscription to SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link. SiriusXM satellite radio is standard, too, yet true music lovers may want to upgrade to the THX II-certified setup. Boasting 16 speakers, each carefully placed within the MKS cabin to create an audiophile-style listening experience, this system is backed by 700 watts of power and a 10-inch subwoofer.

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Safety Technologies and Ratings

Most safety-minded shoppers also should be satisfied with the technologies supplied with the 2016 Lincoln MKS. A rearview camera system with sonar sensors and guidelines is standard, and owners can check off the option boxes for a blind-spot information system, adaptive cruise control, collision warning with brake support rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping, and an automatic parking function.

Ratings-wise, NHTSA has certified the MKS with a 5-Star Overall Safety Score that includes 5 stars for frontal- and side-crash protection as well as a 4-star grade in rollover testing. The IIHS ratings, however, reflect that the MKS was engineered before the introduction of the small front-overlap test; thus, the MKS gets the highest possible IIHS ratings for the other crashworthiness tests, but not that one.

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Other Cool Features

Perhaps topping the list of other Lincoln luxuries is an available Power Vista Roof. It was created with two panes of glass, so that both rows of seating would be able to enjoy a sunlight—or moonlight—drive. The driver and front-seat passenger get an extra bonus, as the front panel of the roof can slide backward for an open-air travel experience.

Of course, any travelling in the MKS can be transformed into an engaging and sophisticated experience with Lincoln Drive Control, which monitors key vehicle functions and then adjusts the car’s continuously controlled damping, electric power-assisted steering and stability-control system for optimum handling characteristics regardless of road conditions.

Photo by Lincoln

Final Thoughts

Many luxury customers may be tempted to give the 2016 Lincoln MKS a pass, with even some brand loyalists preferring to wait for the upcoming Continental. Yet the MKS actually passes many of the typical tests for consideration as a premium sedan, especially in terms of cabin comfort. Drivers who appreciate a fullsize presence also will find that in the big Lincoln, since it’s one of the longest retail cars on the marketplace at any price. And that pricing itself is the perfect finishing touch.

Photo by Lincoln