The Lincoln MKX is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV sold in two generations as a rebadged version of the Ford Edge. Introduced in late 2006, it was Lincoln’s first crossover, and for 2019 it was renamed the Lincoln Nautilus.
Lincoln MKX at a glance
| Maker | Lincoln (Ford Motor Company) |
|---|---|
| Production | 2007–2018 (as the Nautilus from 2019) |
| Generations | two |
| Assembly | Oakville Assembly, Ontario, Canada |
| First-generation platform | Ford CD3 |
| Second-generation platform | Ford CD4 |
| First-generation engine | 3.7 L Duratec V6, 265 hp |
| 2011 engine | 3.7 L V6, 305 hp |
| Second-generation engines | 3.7 L V6, 303 hp; 2.7 L EcoBoost V6, 335 hp |
| Gearbox | six-speed automatic |
| Drive | front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive optional |
| Later name | Lincoln Nautilus, from the 2019 model year |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the MKX.
History of the Lincoln MKX
Lincoln first showed the car as the Aviator concept at the 2004 North American International Auto Show, a smaller and more car-like successor to the first-generation Aviator with a 245 hp V6 and a panoramic sunroof. The production version took the MKX name, with the X standing for crossover; Lincoln suggested a “mark ex” pronunciation at first before settling on M-K-X. The name was close enough to Acura’s MDX that Honda sued Ford in January 2006, and the case was settled out of court.
The first-generation MKX went on sale in December 2006 for 2007 as a rebadged Ford Edge on the CD3 platform, with four-wheel independent suspension, a MacPherson strut front end and a four-link rear. The only engine was an all-aluminium 3.7-litre Duratec V6 of 265 hp with a six-speed automatic, driving the front wheels as standard or all four as an option. Eighteen-inch machined wheels were standard and the optional Panoramic Vista Roof brought a power front sunroof with a fixed rear glass panel. A 2008 update added Lincoln badges by the front doors, SYNC and Limited Edition packages.
For 2011 the MKX was refreshed with a new interior and front end resembling the MKZ, a 3.7-litre V6 raised to 305 hp, and the first use of the MyLincoln Touch driver interface. The second generation was previewed as a concept at the 2014 Beijing Auto Show and revealed in production form at the 2015 North American International Auto Show, going on sale in the autumn of 2015 for 2016 on the CD4 platform with bi-xenon or full adaptive LED headlights. The 3.7-litre V6 stayed at 303 hp and a new 2.7-litre EcoBoost V6 offered 335 hp with 515 N·m of torque.
Second-generation cars were sold in Premiere, Select, Reserve and Black Label trims. As Lincoln phased out its MK model names, the MKX was given the Nautilus nameplate in a mid-cycle update announced in 2018 for the 2019 model year. Both generations were built at Oakville Assembly in Ontario alongside the Ford Edge, Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT.
Design and features
- Lincoln’s first crossover: a car-based SUV smaller than the Navigator and based on the Ford Edge.
- Vista Roof: an optional two-panel glass roof with power sunshades, carried over from the 2004 concept.
- Two platforms: CD3 for the first generation and CD4 for the second.
- EcoBoost option: the 335 hp 2.7-litre twin-turbo V6 in the second generation.
Lincoln MKX versions
- First generation (2007–2015): CD3-based car with the 3.7-litre V6, refreshed for 2011.
- Limited Edition (2008): package with unique styling and 20-inch chrome wheels.
- Second generation (2016–2018): CD4-based car with LED lighting and an EcoBoost V6 option.
- Nautilus (2019–): the same second-generation car under its new name.
The MKX replaced the Lincoln Aviator in the range and sat below the Lincoln MKT and Lincoln Navigator. More Lincolns are in the Lincoln collection.
Sources
- Lincoln MKX, English Wikipedia: development, generations, engines, renaming
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