We were recently given a chance to take an SUV out on the road, and as timing would have it, it fit in perfectly with our camping trip. I’ve been wanting to try the new Ford Explorer, but the popularity of the vehicle is astounding. When Lincoln showed up with their 2012 MKX All Wheel Drive SUV, we were quite surprised and very impressed. Despite that stereotypical image you may hold dear of Grandma and her land yacht, Lincoln is clearly redefining its image. Being the SUV-loving family that we are, this turned out to be an awesome family vehicle for the four of us. It easily accommodated both car seats, two laptop and technology toting parents, and all the camping gear needed for our slightly disconnected weekend away.
The truth is, there is so much technology packed into the new Lincoln that it makes your Grandma’s Town Car look like an ancient chariot. So much, in fact, it took me three days to fully enjoy all the features. From the new standards, like the reverse camera and built-in GPS, to luxury bonuses like heated and air conditioned seats and proximity detectors that make cruise control even more amazing, one can easily forget about the kids screaming in the back seat or the annoying boss calling about the report due on Monday. We simply enjoyed the drive!
We definitely put the MKX through its paces on our journey through the desert and high along the mountain roads of Yosemite. While it certainly drives like a luxury vehicle, with smooth handling and very comfortable steering, its All Wheel Drive gives it the solid traction and power you’d expect for an SUV. Granted, with that comes the question of gas mileage, which I was not entirely surprised to find was an average 19 MPG city (or national park as it were)… slightly better than my own ’97 clunker SUV with 245k miles on it. I suppose it only sounds low compared to the newest line of gas-sipping hybrids, but it is still an SUV after all. Of course, what you trade for gas mileage, you gain in comfort and a lot of it, when fully loaded. With touch screen and voice controls, the dual climate control system is just the beginning. Buried a little deeper, a very cool or warm, if you choose, experience awaits. Yes, on day 2 I found the air-cooled seats! There is nothing I hate more about driving in the heat than sweating in my seat while my face is frozen like a popsicle!
Safety features also run rampant in this vehicle. The MKX comes with an array of airbags to protect both the driver and passengers in the event of a serious accident. But safety truly starts before a collision, and the MKX is hard at work keeping us safe while we drive. Features like emergency braking assist and adaptive cruise control with collision warning keep an eye on the cars ahead and can literally help stop a collision from happening. It did take me a few attempts at letting the cruise control take over before I really trusted it. But once I began to see the car actually slow itself down on the highway when we approached a slower vehicle in the lane, I was sold! The thought occurred to me that I could just set the cruise control and let the car do the work of slowing down and speeding up based on the person in front… but I’m not one to let convenience override common sense and safe driving, of which I’m sure Lincoln would concur. Other features include steering wheel mounted controls for stereo and dash functions.
Did I mention how loaded with technology it is? In every nook and cranny Lincoln has crammed features to make the MKX so much more than the basic SUV. I loved the MyKey system which allows parents to set restrictions on the vehicle for young drivers, like a top speed of 80 MPH and maximum stereo volume. Its a little unclear whether it does more than that, but I’d love to see the system go all the way to setting my seat and temperature preferences, and tune to my favorite radio station! With the new MyLincoln Touch, though, all those controls are just a few taps away. The whole front console is fun to use, including the swipe action volume and air controls. The touch screen system controls nearly every part of the car, down to the color and intensity of LED accent lighting in the cup holders, under the dash and in the doors! Need to find coffee while driving through town? Just speak and the voice recognition system will do the rest, helping you keep your eyes on the road.
This was a fun drive. And though it may be a far cry from Grandma’s old car (and I’m fairly certain my Grandma wouldn’t know what to do with half the features), I’m in love with the luxury and comfort that Lincoln is putting into the MKX!
No compensation was received for this post. The Lincoln MKX was on loan to accommodate my review. All opinions and statements are my own and should not be taken as expert legal or safety advice.
- Discover Luxury at Sonesta Irvine: Your Ideal Staycation - August 8, 2024
- CHOC Walk Returns to the Disneyland Resort – Special Events and Ways to Support - June 28, 2023
- Beastly Ball Returns to the Los Angeles Zoo - May 8, 2023
I have auto envy! I love, love, love these – and even more now that they’ve been redesigned. Too bad they’re not big enough for us. So stylish!
We LOVED it….truly : )