Lincoln MKX

Lincoln MKX: which version to buy

If you are choosing a Lincoln MKX, the data split is simple: two generations of the same 5-door SUV, eight named versions, and a clear step in what the extra hardware actually does. Generation 1 (2006–2010, restyled 2010–2015) is a naturally aspirated V-shaped 6 on FWD or AWD. Generation 2 (2015–2018) keeps a 3.7 AT at 303 hp and adds a turbo 2.7 AT at 335 hp.

If you are choosing a Lincoln MKX, the data split is simple: two generations of the same 5-door SUV, eight named versions, and a clear step in what the extra hardware actually does. Generation 1 (2006–2010, restyled 2010–2015) is a naturally aspirated V-shaped 6 on FWD or AWD. Generation 2 (2015–2018) keeps a 3.7 AT at 303 hp and adds a turbo 2.7 AT at 335 hp. The fastest 0–100 km/h figure in the file is 6.1 s (2.7 AT, 335 hp, AWD). The lightest kerb weight is 1891 kg (3.7 AT, 303 hp, FWD, 2015–2018). The highest power per litre is the turbo 2.7 AT: 124.4 hp/l. There is no 2026 MKX in this catalogue; production in the data ends 2018-12-31.

This article does not restate a model overview. It ranks versions by power density, mass per horsepower, 0–100 km/h, and what AWD costs in kilograms and litres. Fuel use, top speed, and some weights are not measured on several early versions; those gaps are written as such, not guessed.

Lincoln MKX years and which generation changed what

Generation 1, 2006–2010, SUV 5-doors, two versions, both named 3.5 AT at 268 hp (197 kW) at 6250 rpm. Displacement 3496 cm³, Gasoline, 6 cylinders, V-shaped, 4 valves per cylinder, boost No, Front, transverse, Distributed injection (multi-point), compression 10.3, bore × stroke 92.5 × 86.7, fuel 92, Automatic, 6 gears. FWD and AWD share 7.7 s to 100 km/h and 180 km/h top speed. Tank 72 L, ground clearance 200 mm. Wheel sizes: not measured. City / highway / mixed mpg: not measured.

Generation 1 restyling, 2010–2015, still SUV 5-doors, two versions, both 3.7 AT at 300 hp (221 kW) at 6500 rpm. Displacement 3720 cm³, Gasoline, 6, V-shaped, 4 valves, boost No, engine location not measured, Distributed injection (multi-point), compression 10.5, 95.5 × 86.7, fuel 92, Automatic, 6. Top speed: not measured. Fuel consumption: not measured. Wheels: not measured. Tank still 72 L, clearance still 200 mm.

What the restyle bought in numbers versus the 2006–2010 3.5 AT: +32 hp (+11.9%), +224 cm³, FWD 0–100 from 7.7 s to 6.9 s (−0.8 s), AWD from 7.7 s to 6.8 s (−0.9 s). Kerb weight barely moved: FWD 1915 → 1921 kg (+6 kg), AWD 2005 → 2002 kg (−3 kg). Torque in the file fell from 339 Nm at 4500 rpm to 280 Nm at 4250 rpm (−59 Nm). Power per litre rose from 268 / 3.496 = 76.7 hp/l to 300 / 3.720 = 80.6 hp/l. Mass per horsepower improved: FWD 1915 / 268 = 7.15 kg/hp → 1921 / 300 = 6.40 kg/hp; AWD 7.48 → 6.67 kg/hp.

Generation 2, 2015–2018, SUV 5-doors, four versions: two 2.7 AT at 335 hp and two 3.7 AT at 303 hp, FWD or AWD. Tank drops to 68 L (−4 L versus generation 1). Clearance 198 mm (−2 mm). Wheels now listed: 245/60 R18, 245/50 R20, 265/40 R21. The 3.7 grows to 3726 cm³ and 377 Nm at 4000 rpm. The new 2.7 AT is Turbo, Direct injection (direct), 2692 cm³, 515 Nm at 3000 rpm.

Versus the restyled 3.7 AT 300 hp: generation 2’s 3.7 AT 303 hp is +3 hp and +97 Nm. FWD 0–100 6.9 → 6.7 s (−0.2 s); AWD 6.8 → 7.2 s (+0.4 s — AWD got slower). FWD kerb 1921 → 1891 kg (−30 kg); AWD 2002 → 1990 kg (−12 kg). The turbo 2.7 AT is the real step: +35 hp versus the restyle 3.7, +235 Nm, and FWD 0–100 6.2 s versus 6.9 s.

People searching “Lincoln MKX years to avoid” will not find reliability scores here. What the years do show is a spec floor: 2006–2010 is the slowest and least power-dense set; 2010–2015 is the same layout with more power and less listed torque; 2015–2018 is the only generation with a Turbo option and with measured mpg.

Lincoln MKX engine options and specs

Every version is named exactly as in the catalogue. Same names are split by horsepower and drive.

Engine size in one line: 2692 / 3496 / 3720 / 3726 cm³. Horsepower range: 268–335 hp. Peak torque range: 280–515 Nm. All eight use Automatic with 6 gears and fuel 92. Boost is No on six versions and Turbo on both 2.7 AT 335 hp versions. Direct injection (direct) is only on the 2.7 AT; the 3.5 AT and both 3.7 AT families use Distributed injection (multi-point). Compression: 10.3 (3.5 AT), 10.5 (both 3.7 AT families), 10 (2.7 AT). Front, transverse is listed for 2006–2010 and 2015–2018; for 2010–2015 3.7 AT the location is not measured.

Power per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres): 3.5 AT 268 hp = 76.7 hp/l; 3.7 AT 300 hp = 80.6 hp/l; 3.7 AT 303 hp = 81.3 hp/l; 2.7 AT 335 hp = 124.4 hp/l. The turbo 2.7 AT makes 1.53 times the specific output of the generation 2 3.7 AT (124.4 / 81.3). It also makes peak torque 138 Nm above the 3.7 AT 303 hp (515 − 377) at 1000 rpm lower (3000 vs 4000).

Searches for “Lincoln MKX engine problems”, “engine coolant over temperature”, “engine light on”, “engine oil”, or replacement cost have no figures in this dataset. Those queries are not answered here.

Lincoln MKX 0–100, horsepower, and mpg

0–100 km/h, slowest to fastest

1. 3.5 AT 268 hp FWD and AWD: 7.7 s 2. 3.7 AT 303 hp AWD (2015–2018): 7.2 s 3. 3.7 AT 300 hp FWD (2010–2015): 6.9 s 4. 3.7 AT 300 hp AWD (2010–2015): 6.8 s 5. 3.7 AT 303 hp FWD (2015–2018): 6.7 s 6. 2.7 AT 335 hp FWD: 6.2 s 7. 2.7 AT 335 hp AWD: 6.1 s

Spread from slowest to fastest: 1.6 s. On generation 2, FWD 3.7 AT 303 hp is 0.5 s slower than FWD 2.7 AT 335 hp (6.7 − 6.2). AWD 3.7 AT 303 hp is 1.1 s slower than AWD 2.7 AT 335 hp (7.2 − 6.1). AWD helps the turbo (6.1 vs 6.2, −0.1 s) and the restyle 3.7 (6.8 vs 6.9, −0.1 s); it does not help the generation 2 3.7 AT (7.2 vs 6.7, +0.5 s) or the 3.5 AT (tied at 7.7 s).

Top speed. Measured only on six of eight versions. 3.5 AT both drives: 180 km/h. Generation 2 3.7 AT: 234 km/h FWD, 235 km/h AWD. Generation 2 2.7 AT: 248 km/h FWD, 246 km/h AWD. Restyle 3.7 AT 300 hp: not measured. The turbo FWD is 14 km/h above the generation 2 3.7 FWD (248 − 234) and 68 km/h above the 3.5 AT (248 − 180).

Lincoln MKX mpg. Measured only on the four 2015–2018 versions (L/100 km, not US mpg).

FWD 2.7 AT mixed 11.2 versus FWD 3.7 AT mixed 11.8: the smaller Turbo uses 0.6 L/100 km less on the combined cycle at +32 hp. AWD equalises mixed use at 12.4 for both engines; AWD costs the 2.7 AT +1.2 L/100 km mixed versus FWD (12.4 − 11.2) and the 3.7 AT +0.6 L/100 km (12.4 − 11.8). City for three of the four measured versions is 13.8; only 3.7 AT 303 hp AWD is 14.7. “Lincoln MKX mpg 2008” and “mpg 2017” as calendar years: 2008 sits inside 3.5 AT with consumption not measured; 2017 sits inside the table above.

CO2 and eco class: not measured on all eight versions.

Lincoln MKX dimensions, weight, and ground clearance

Overall length is not measured in this file, including 2017 and 2018. What is measured is mass, clearance, tank, and (generation 2 only) wheels.

Kerb weight, lightest to heaviest

AWD premium in kerb weight: 3.5 AT +90 kg (2005 − 1915); restyle 3.7 AT +81 kg (2002 − 1921); generation 2 3.7 AT +99 kg (1990 − 1891); 2.7 AT +86 kg (2017 − 1931). Gross is listed only for 3.5 AT both drives (2450 kg), 2.7 AT AWD (2425 kg), and 3.7 AT 303 hp AWD (2398 kg). Payload where both figures exist: 3.5 AT FWD 2450 − 1915 = 535 kg; 3.5 AT AWD 2450 − 2005 = 445 kg; 2.7 AT AWD 2425 − 2017 = 408 kg; 3.7 AT 303 hp AWD 2398 − 1990 = 408 kg.

Best mass per horsepower is 2.7 AT 335 hp FWD at 5.76 kg/hp. Worst is 3.5 AT 268 hp AWD at 7.48 kg/hp — 30% more mass per horsepower. Generation 2 3.7 AT FWD at 6.24 kg/hp is still heavier per hp than the turbo FWD by 0.48 kg/hp.

Ground clearance: generation 1 including restyle 200 mm; generation 2 198 mm. Tank: generation 1 72 L; generation 2 68 L. Wheels on 2015–2018: 245/60 R18, 245/50 R20, 265/40 R21; earlier years not measured.

Chassis is the same family of labels on every version: Independent, spring front and rear. Brakes: generation 1 2006–2010 front Disc, rear Disc ventilated; restyle and generation 2 front Ventilated disc, rear Disc.

Which Lincoln MKX version to choose

If the ranking is 0–100 km/h and power density: 2.7 AT 335 hp AWD (2015–2018). It is the only version at 6.1 s, 515 Nm, 124.4 hp/l, and 6.02 kg/hp. Versus the same-year 3.7 AT 303 hp AWD you gain 32 hp, 138 Nm, 1.1 s, and 11 km/h (246 vs 235) at +27 kg kerb (2017 vs 1990) and the same mixed 12.4 L/100 km. That is the cleanest “what the extra specification buys” pair in the file: mixed fuel is tied, mass is close, the Turbo does the work.

If the ranking is FWD mixed fuel and still-strong acceleration: 2.7 AT 335 hp FWD. Mixed 11.2 L/100 km is the lowest measured figure. Versus FWD 3.7 AT 303 hp you pay +40 kg (1931 vs 1891) and gain 32 hp, 0.5 s (6.2 vs 6.7), 14 km/h (248 vs 234), and −0.6 L/100 km mixed. City is tied at 13.8; highway is tied at 9.0. The smaller engine is not the thirstier one on this cycle.

If you want the lightest MKX in the file: 3.7 AT 303 hp FWD (2015–2018) at 1891 kg. It is 40 kg lighter than the turbo FWD and 30 kg lighter than the restyle FWD 3.7 AT 300 hp. 0–100 is 6.7 s — 0.5 s behind the turbo FWD, 0.2 s ahead of the restyle FWD. Top speed 234 km/h. Mixed 11.8. This is the generation 2 naturally aspirated FWD choice: least mass, still 303 hp, still Automatic 6.

If you need AWD on the naturally aspirated 3.7 in generation 2: 3.7 AT 303 hp AWD is the slowest generation 2 car (7.2 s), heaviest FWD-to-AWD step (+99 kg), highest city use (14.7), mixed 12.4 (tied with turbo AWD). Versus restyle 3.7 AT 300 hp AWD you gain 3 hp and 97 Nm but lose 0.4 s (7.2 vs 6.8) while shedding 12 kg. AWD on this engine is the weakest performance argument in generation 2.

If the car must be 2010–2015 (searches: 2013 Lincoln MKX horsepower / weight): only 3.7 AT 300 hp FWD or AWD. Horsepower is 300 hp (221 kW) at 6500 rpm — not 268 and not 303. Weight: FWD 1921 kg, AWD 2002 kg. 0–100 6.9 / 6.8 s. Torque 280 Nm is the lowest in the whole MKX file, 59 Nm below the older 3.5 AT. Top speed, mpg, wheels, engine location: not measured. Buy this generation for the +32 hp restyle, not for torque or for a fuel figure this catalogue does not have.

If the car is first-generation 2006–2010 (searches: 2008 Lincoln MKX): only 3.5 AT 268 hp. FWD 1915 kg, AWD 2005 kg, both 7.7 s and 180 km/h, tank 72 L, clearance 200 mm, gross 2450 kg. Highest kg/hp, lowest hp/l, mpg not measured. AWD here adds 90 kg and zero 0–100 or top-speed change. Choose FWD unless AWD is required for reasons this spec sheet does not encode.

AWD or FWD, as arithmetic. AWD never changes horsepower. It always adds mass (81–99 kg). It improves 0–100 only on 2.7 AT 335 hp (−0.1 s) and restyle 3.7 AT 300 hp (−0.1 s). It is neutral on 3.5 AT and worse on generation 2 3.7 AT 303 hp (+0.5 s). Where mpg is measured, AWD never improves mixed use. FWD is the default if the comparison is seconds and litres; AWD is the default only if you need the drivetrain label.

2016 / 2017 / 2018 Lincoln MKX specs all sit in generation 2. The 2016 weight people search is the same kerb set: 1891 / 1931 / 1990 / 2017 kg depending on 3.7 AT or 2.7 AT and FWD or AWD. There is no separate 2016-only engine in the data.

Lincoln MKX vs MKC, vs Nautilus, vs Ford Edge: those models are not in this file. No cross-model numbers are stated.

Short buy list

• Fastest and highest specific output: 2.7 AT 335 hp AWD (2015–2018).
• Lowest measured mixed use and best kg/hp: 2.7 AT 335 hp FWD.
• Lightest kerb: 3.7 AT 303 hp FWD (2015–2018).
• Restyle years 2010–2015: 3.7 AT 300 hp, FWD unless AWD is required; accept not measured mpg and top speed.
• 2006–2010: 3.5 AT 268 hp FWD unless AWD is required; accept 7.7 s, 180 km/h, mpg not measured.

That is the whole choice set: eight versions, two generation numbers, one restyle inside generation 1, and every figure above taken from the catalogue or from subtracting those figures.