2011 Lincoln MKT EcoBoost Review

MPG-o-Matic 2011 Lincoln MKT EcoBoost Review Summary:
The 2011 Lincoln MKT EcoBoost takes the big American luxury car to a new level. Although it lags behind the European turbo-diesels when it comes to fuel economy, the twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 engine provides a remarkable rush of power and a glimpse of what’s to come. It’s time to bid adieu to the V8-powered luxury barge. The MKT EcoBoost is nothing less than an executive jet on wheels, with a luxurious ride for six or seven.

The 2011 Lincoln MKT EcoBoost is is only available in all-wheel-drive (AWD), with a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine producing 355 horsepower (HP) and 350 foot pounds of torque. The less-powerful base MKT is available in either front-wheel-drive or all-wheel drive, with its 3.7-liter naturally aspirated V6 producing 268 HP and 267 foot pounds of torque. All MKTs are fitted with six-speed SelectShift automatic transmissions.

The official fuel economy estimates for the AWD 2011 Lincoln MKT EcoBoost are 16 city / 21 highway miles per gallon. The base MKT is rated at 17 city / 23 highway in FWD, and 16 / 22 in AWD.

We traveled more than 600 miles in our Ingot Metallic MKT EcoBoost review unit and were able to slip past the official mileage estimates on the open road, with an average of 24 MPG on the Interstate highway and 18.9 MPG combined, with temperatures ranging from the teens through the mid-thirties. Interstate highway testing temperatures were in the thirties. The test vehicle was delivered with just over 7000 miles on the odometer.

The 2011 MKT EcoBoost features 20-inch polished aluminum wheels clad with P255/45R20 all-season tires. The base MKT is equipped with 19-inch painted aluminum wheels with all-season P235/55R19 tires as standard issue; 20-inch polished aluminum wheels and P255/45R20 all-season tires are optional.

Interstate Mileage Testing:

• Cruise control set to 68 MPH, heater on, drivers seat heater on, windows up: 23.2 MPG
• Cruise control off, target speed 60-72 MPH, heater on, drivers seat heater on, windows up: 24.9 MPG

While the AWD MKT tips the scale at nearly 5,000 pounds, the car is remarkably responsive, with the twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 providing a marvelous whoosh of acceleration.

Highway driving range is good when driven conservatively. All 2011 Lincoln MKTs are fitted with an 18.6 gallon fuel tank and are designed to use 87 octane regular unleaded fuel. 91 octane premium unleaded fuel is recommended for “best overall performance” in the MKT EcoBoost. It’s impossible to forget the gas cap at the service station … the MKT uses Ford’s EasyFuel capless fuel filler.

Curb Weight: The AWD 2011 MKT EcoBoost weighs 4,899 pounds, while the base MKT weighs 4,637 pounds in FWD and 4,809 pounds in AWD.

The MKT is equipped with four wheel anti-lock (ABS) brakes with AdvanceTrak and Roll Stability Control (RSC). Discs are ventilated front and rear.

A monochrome dash-mounted display provides two trip meters, and fuel range, along with average and real-time fuel economy. Driving with the real-time fuel economy display active will help MKT pilots conserve fuel by encouraging a light-footed driving style. We’d expect the basic monochrome display to be updated to Lincoln’s excellent full color LCD display – as found in the MKX and MKZ Hybrid – with the next model year.

Optional radar technology brings 360 degrees of safety. Our test unit’s optional Adaptive Cruise Control/Early Warning System ensured a smooth trip on the highway, while the optional Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) kept us aware of unseen traffic on the road and in the parking lots. Need a hand with parallel parking? The optional Active Park Assist System allows the MKT to park, hands-free.

The big Lincoln delivers a quiet, smooth and composed ride, with an Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS) system in lieu of a traditional hydraulic power steering pump. AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control and Brake Actuated Traction Control are standard issue.

Settle into the spacious interior and you might just feel like you’ve boarded an executive jet. Leather-trimmed twelve-way power front bucket seats with four-way power lumbar support are standard, as is three-level seat heating and ventilation.

The ample leather-wrapped and wood-trimmed steering wheel provides uncluttered controls and access to the voice-activated Microsoft Sync system. The six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission’s steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters allow for manual control over gear changes. The Lincoln paddle system may be different from what you’re accustomed to; pull forward on either paddle for an upshift, pull back for a rev-matched downshift.

Hands-free Bluetooth is standard with Sync, along with a 10GB hard drive for on-board music storage, and six months of free SIRIUS satellite radio service. The optional 14-speaker THX II surround sound system delivers a cinematic audio experience.

Our MKT review unit was equipped with the Elite option package, which includes:

• THX II surround sound
• Voice activated navigation
• Blind Spot Monitoring System
• Power Panoramic Vista Roof
• SIRIUS Travel Link (with coast-to-coast weather, gas prices, movie listings, and sports scores)

Twelve-volt outlets can be found inside the front row center console, in the rear cargo area, and in the second-row console … where you’ll also find a 110-volt AC power outlet. USB iPod and auxiliary audio inputs are located inside the front center console.

The optional second row buckets are a treat, with heating, ventilation, and lumbar support. The optional refrigerator console is a welcome touch for the executive (or family) on the go. The second row provides a generous 41.8 inches of legroom and 39 inches of headroom. Families with bigger kids, take note: the third row is strictly for smaller folks, with 33 inches of legroom and 33.5 inches of headroom.

There’s plenty of room to haul the goods in the MKT, with 17.9 cubic feet of cargo area behind the 50/50 fold-flat third row, 39.6 cubic feet behind the second row, and a whopping 75.9 cubic feet behind the first row.

All-in-all, the 2011 Lincoln MKT EcoBoost proves that the days of the V8-powered six-passenger luxury barge are drawing to a close. Ford has met the mark by delivering V8 performance with a more cutting-edge V6. The MKT EcoBoost’s twin-turbo engine, smooth ride, ample technology, and splendid interior provide a executive jet experience for driver and passengers alike. Piloting the MKT EcoBoost was so much fun, I gave serious though to starting a Hot Rod Lincoln airport limo service …

– by Daniel Gray