2011 Lincoln MKX front view

The answer may lie in the 2011 Lincoln MKX, which is the lux version of the Ford Edge. Since the latter received a significant mid-cycle freshening for the 2011 model year, so has the former.

2011 Lincoln MKX front view 2

With their first significant update since 2006, the duo is poised to upset the status quo in the premium mid-size CUV segment. The first-generation Ford Edge was a handsome CUV, and the 2011 model merely modernized the original’s lines.

2011 Lincoln MKX side view

The original MKX, however, was something of a design orphan. It’s front end was inspired by concepts like the 2003 Navicross and 2004 Mark X.

2011 Lincoln MKX rear view

The new design’s only deficiencies are found between the wheels – that particular swath has been left untouched, highlighting the fact this is a refresh rather than a redesign.

2011 Lincoln MKX interior

There’s also no doubt that the MKX is a member of the Ford family when you behold its new MyLincoln Touch system.There’s one thing about the MKX’s new interior, however, that doesn’t fall into that category.

2011 Lincoln MKX interior 2

Despite the fact that you can fully control both the stereo and climate controls exclusively through the main screen, Lincoln has kept a set of redundant physical controls for each on the center stack.

2011 Lincoln MKX engine

For 2011 the MKX has been upgraded with Ford’s 3.7-liter V6, replacing the old model’s less powerful 3.5-liter V6.

2011 Lincoln MKX rear seats

2011 Lincoln MKX. Already used the almost identical MyFord touch system in the 2011 Edge, we found MyLincoln Touch are pretty familiar. The little finger buttons and slider Lincoln instead of button controls are new, but require more attention than they use conventional buttons, and it’s hard to feel alone system to operate, although muscle memory to make things simpler for the owners. We also asked how the controls would be wearing gloves and was able to test it with the racing gloves, perhaps the only time racing gloves are worn in a 2011 Lincoln MKX, and on to our surprise, it worked. Well, most of the time. Expect that affects many extra button, if you live in colder climates.

The 2011 Lincoln MKX is already shipping to dealers, with prices starting at just $ 300 above that of the 2010 model. That means $ 39,995 for front-wheel-drive versions and $ 41,845 for four-wheel-driver. Included are leather upholstery, heated and cooled front seats, 18-inch wheels, Sync infotainment, keyless entry and start, and fun stuff like HD radio with iTunes song tagging and Ford mykey system, an always different vehicles and buttons can be programmed speed and monitor seatbelt use. Options include blind spot detection, adaptive headlights, adjustable mood lighting, adaptive cruise control, panoramic sunroof, and the aforementioned THX sound system. For all checked boxes, the MKX is nearly $ 55,000, fully loaded matched samples of their main competitor, the Cadillac SRX and the Lexus RX350, neither of the two disks.

In this class, provides exterior, has a major role, and in 2010 FMD quite well. Contrary to the roof and the body side stampings and almost every street is something completely new, including the front fenders, trunk, hood, lighting elements, and of course, the bold new Lincoln split grille. Lincoln also has a slimmer, painted “shark fin” antenna on the roof instead of the black spots in the past years.

The major aesthetic upgrade, but also the interior of the FMD is. Although the four-spoke steering wheel remains substantially the same, with wooden handles eight and four, everything around him improving. The dashboard design, while more like cabinet and is now much better in an authentic wood and metal, not included facsimile. The silver stone center console trim was in favor of dark, durable-looking material is prohibited. The new tunnel electroluminescent gauge cluster, a bit like the top-shelf fusion, looks fantastic. Equally important is the top of the dashboard and almost everything in one blow soft-touch materials.