2012 Lincoln MKS Review
2012 Lincoln MKS Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Spacious interior
- plentiful standard features
- good power and fuel economy from the turbocharged V6.
Cons
- Lackluster base V6
- strange combination of soggy handling and firm ride
- mediocre interior materials
- overpriced for what you get.
What’s new
For 2012 the Lincoln MKS sees no changes apart from the availability of a blind-spot detection system (with cross-traffic alert as well).
Edmunds says
Though boasting a plethora of standard features and substantial interior space, the 2012 Lincoln MKS is outclassed by the competition and less expensive sedans alike.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2012 Lincoln MKS 4dr Sedan (3.7L 6cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$204/mo for MKS Base
MKS Base
vs
$213/mo
Avg. Large Car
Vehicle overview
With its impressive grille and handsomely sculpted body, the 2012 Lincoln MKS certainly looks the part of an upscale luxury sedan. But as with many things in life, you have to spend some time to find a car's true character, and then what you'll discover here is essentially a reskinned Ford Taurus. The Taurus is a fine car, but there's just not enough of a difference between the two for us, even though the MKS's large price premium covers a commensurate level of standard equipment. Furthermore, the Lincoln MKS finds itself in a tough segment where there are a number of more refined choices.
Although the powerful twin-turbo "EcoBoost" V6 that is available in the MKS provides plenty of performance, one could simply choose the similarly powered and considerably less expensive Taurus SHO if a roomy sedan with pin-you-to-the-seat acceleration is desired. Also the MKS lacks either the spark of excitement or the whisper of refinement in the way it goes down the road that could help it measure up to its very tough competition in this class. Comfort, quietness and power are the simple pleasures offered here.
On the positive side, the 2012 Lincoln MKS has a long, long list of standard features, a genuinely spacious interior and a massive trunk. Indeed, if you didn't know the Taurus existed and ignored the premium-sedan competition, the MKS would be a pretty compelling car. But in this demanding segment, we suggest shoppers also consider the Acura TL, Buick LaCrosse and Hyundai Genesis. And if you're considering the EcoBoost model, a similar amount of money could get you into more refined sedans like the Jaguar XF and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
Performance & mpg
Both FWD (front-wheel-drive) and AWD (all-wheel-drive) trim levels share the same powertrain, a 3.7-liter V6 matched to a six-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift control and paddle shifters. This engine generates 273 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque with regular unleaded gas; the use of premium fuel helps boosts power to 275 hp and 276 lb-ft. We managed a 7.5-second sprint from zero to 60 mph in an AWD test car with this engine, and you can expect the lighter front-wheel-drive model to shave a couple tenths off that time. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 17 mpg city/24 highway mpg and 19 mpg combined with FWD and 16/23/19 with AWD.
The all-wheel-drive EcoBoost model is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 that makes 355 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. The EcoBoost goes from zero to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds while returning fuel economy of 17/25/20. Premium fuel is recommended for this engine.
Safety
The 2012 Lincoln MKS comes standard with stability and traction control, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags and antilock brakes with brake assist. Adaptive cruise control is available as an option, and it's bundled with a collision warning system with brake support.
In Edmunds brake testing, an MKS EcoBoost came to a stop from 60 mph in 128 feet -- a bit long for a luxury sedan. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the MKS its highest rating of "Good" for its frontal-offset, side-impact and roof-strength testing.
Driving
All of the graceful curves, luxury features and Lincoln badging work well to mask the MKS's origins, but behind the wheel, there's no escaping its Ford Taurus underpinnings. A base V6-powered MKS would be outclassed in performance by a Ford Fusion SEL V6, while its coarse engine noises further diminish its appeal, especially when compared to other cars in this price range.
The EcoBoost engine is a much more satisfying engine choice, but regardless of which power plant is selected, handling is a bit of a disappointment. On curvy roads, the suspension feels dull and overly soft. Normally, this softness would foster a plush ride quality, but oddly enough, the MKS still feels rather firm. In the end, the 2012 Lincoln MKS drives like a big sedan without the luxurious ride quality you'd expect.
Interior
The 2012 MKS features a pleasant interior design with standard leather upholstery and an attractive dash layout. Unfortunately the cabin styling is hindered by some lesser-quality materials and Ford-sourced switchgear. The end result is that the MKS's cabin is not appreciably nicer than that of the much cheaper Taurus.
On the plus side, ventilated seats are a welcomed addition, as are the MKS's standard rear heated seats. The 2012 MKS offers plenty of interior and cargo space -- the trunk will hold 18.4 cubic feet. Rear passenger room and comfort are particularly impressive.
2012 Lincoln MKS models
The 2012 Lincoln MKS comes in three trim levels: FWD, AWD and EcoBoost. The FWD and AWD models come standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, parking sensors, foglights, rain-sensing wipers, heated power-operated outside mirrors with memory, an integrated blind-spot mirror and auto-dimming on the driver side, automatic adaptive xenon headlamps, automatic high beams, keyless entry/ignition and a slick version of Ford's venerable touchpad entry system that's embedded in the base of the B-pillar.
Interior standard features include a power rear sunshade, cruise control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather upholstery, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated eight-way power front seats (with power lumbar support), heated rear seats, driver memory settings, the Sync voice-activation system (includes turn-turn directions), a THX-certified sound system with an in-dash six-CD changer, satellite radio and an auxiliary audio jack. The EcoBoost is similarly equipped but has a more powerful twin-turbocharged engine and 19-inch wheels.
The Navigation package adds a blind-spot detection system (with cross-traffic alert), a back-up camera, a touchscreen hard-drive-based navigation system with Sirius Travel Link, and an upgraded 14-speaker THX-certified surround-sound system with a single DVD/CD player, HD radio and 10GB of digital music storage.
The Ultimate package adds all Navigation items plus upgraded leather upholstery and a dual-pane sunroof (stand-alone on non-EcoBoost models). An EcoBoost Appearance package adds sporty exterior styling cues like unique 20-inch chrome wheels, exclusive seats, illuminated sill plates and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Other options include 19- and 20-inch wheels, adaptive cruise control and, on the EcoBoost, Ford's automatic parking system.
Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
3.5 out of 5 stars3.5/5Above Average
#2 out of 20 among Luxury Fullsize SUVs
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Lincoln MKS from 2008-2022.$596/yr
vs. $735/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).0.93x/yr
vs. 1.83x/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).12.7%
vs. 16.5%
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2012 Lincoln MKS.
5 star(70%)
4 star(16%)
3 star(12%)
2 star(2%)
1 star(0%)
43 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.38 out of 5 stars
New (gently used rather) MKS for Me
turbo_nut, 06/18/2011
2010 Lincoln MKS 4dr Sedan AWD w/EcoBoost (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A)
Brought home my MKS a couple of weeks ago, and so far have only good things to say.
The car looks great, and is a pleasure to drive.
From the excellent power of the twin turbo v-6 to the well appointed interior, it's just about everything I was looking for in a luxury sedan.
I purchased the Tuxedo Black version, and once I had the windows tinted out, it made the car look … complete.
Overall, I'm very happy with this purchase.
Just a note, if you're looking for a 'sport' luxury sedan, this isn't the car for you.
If you're after a well appointed cruiser that rides like a dream, then I would suggest checking out the MKS
4.88 out of 5 stars
Real Word Review of the 2010 Lincoln MKS
doc81, 03/23/2011
2011 Lincoln MKS 4dr Sedan AWD w/EcoBoost (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A)
I bought an MKS in December 2010, after three years of exhaustive online comparisons, Edmunds reviews filled with disdain, New England Automobile Shows and test drives.
I was looking for 3 basic criteria in a new car: V-8 power, Rear-Leg
room for my in-laws, and a Large Trunk which would easily fit my golf clubs.
The MKS does all of this in spades!! The leather interior far surpasses
the … Ford Taurus.
Only the BMW 760Li, Audi L8 and 2009 Infinity M45 were comparable...for $20-80K more! Overall, the MKS is a spacious full-sized luxury car, that errs on the side of technology rather than interior detail for less than half the cost of a comparable European luxury sedan.
5 out of 5 stars
Replaced with a 2013 Lincoln MKs
Great Scotsman, 05/09/2016
2010 Lincoln MKS 4dr Sedan AWD w/EcoBoost (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A)
Able to negotiate a great deal on a high mileage 3 year old luxury car with all the options and have enjoyed every moment driving it since. Began with 70,000 miles and have not had a single mechanical, functional or accessory problem. The twenty inch wheels were a problem when finding winter snow treads - so I bought eighteen inch wheels and new snow/ice tires for winter driving. Car … did great in a difficult winter. Engine [V6 ecoboast] has plenty of power when needed, otherwise delivers high mpg [22-27] on road trips. I unqualifiedly recommend searching for this model coming off lease with many miles of future driving pleasure. I bought the 3 year 36,000 miles premium warranty and should have saved my money. Not a single claim or need for it, after 17,000 miles of rigorous country driving.
5 out of 5 stars
Best Car I have ever owned.
bw134, 01/01/2011
2011 Lincoln MKS 4dr Sedan AWD w/EcoBoost (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A)
I purchased my 2011 MKS in November 2010.
It is the finest car I have ever owned.
I have owned two Infiniti Q45s, Chrysler 300-C (which was the worst car I have ever owned) and various other cars.
The MKS is very fast, has all the bells and whistles, fun to drive, and also looks fantastic.
Ford has done a terrific job with this one.
I disagree with the testers who complained about the … ride I feel it is very good.
The all wheel drive is fantastic in the snow.
During the snow storms of December 2010 I never got stuck while other cars were abandoned.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2012 Lincoln MKS, so we've included reviews for other years of the MKS since its last redesign.
2012 MKS Highlights
Base
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $41,500 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 20 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $204/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 18.7 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the MKS include:
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
- Post-collision safety system
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover11.8%
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