Inside Story: 2010 Lincoln MKT AWD EcoBoost

2010 Lincoln MKT AWD EcoBoost. Click image to enlarge

With optional second row bucket seats, and a refrigerator/freezer, the rear console gets a little involved. The front sliding door reveals the 110-volt AC plug-in, a third 12-volt DC powerpoint, and the cooler switch, which can operate in Freeze or Cool modes. The rear slider uncovers a simple non-cinch dual cupholder, with an elongated storage cubby to its right. The cooler cavity is revealed by flipping forward the armrest, and removing the cooler plug. It is not a replacement for the Powder Blue Coleman that carries your steaks and eggs to the cabin: this is strictly Snackville. Front seatbacks are soft-pocket equipped.

Sliding visors display back-lit vanity mirrors, while an over-sized sunglasses holder rides above the auto-dimming rear-view mirror. The power Panoramic Vista Roof includes a power fabric sunshade. The Homelink transmitter is found on the driver’s side visor. No racking systems are currently offered for the MKT, whether the moonroof is fixed, or the Panoramic slider. If only the slider looked attractive while open. Can’t wait for the summer bugs to hit that mesh deflector. Interior finishing around the panels is first-rate.

2010 Lincoln MKT AWD EcoBoost. Click image to enlarge

Front seats weigh in with 12-way power positioning, plus power lumbar bladders. Three-step heating and cooling occurs up front, with the same treat bestowed upon the second-row optional buckets. But why stop at heat and cold? There’s even power lumbar bladders, plus power flip-and-get-out-of-the-way for the third row access. The third row 50/50 seats receive no treats, not even recline. On the plus side, they feel like seats, not afterthoughts of planks and minimal padding.

Notice the open power hatch of the MKT. Notice the removed cargo area cover. You might be tempted to leave it in the parking lot, after attempting to use it. Even with collector tabs for the third row seat belts, the cover would continually jam and bind during use. There was no provision observed for alternative stowage of the cargo cover assembly during testing. A fourth and final 12-volt DC powerpoint is found on the left-hand wall of the cargo area, next to the power hatch closure. Second-row seatbacks flip forward manually for longer items. The cargo area floor can be positioned at two angles in the rear, with some slight fiddling with the cargo area lower floor supports. Stowing the third-row seat is practically identical to the operation observed in the Ford Flex. The MKT does offer a PowerFold and Tumble third-row seat system, at a price of $700 on the options checklist. A final annoyance is the exterior power hatch release, located very, very low. Here’s a tip for Lincoln: follow the lead of the car wash attendant, who kept jabbing the Lincoln emblem on the hatch, in an attempt to open the cavity for cleaning.

It’s not too often that an interior spare tire well occurs with a third-row seating configuration, though we’re certainly not complaining. Lincoln will change that temporary-style spare tire for you, during the first six years or 110,000 kilometres, whichever comes first.

2010 Lincoln MKT AWD EcoBoost. Click image to enlarge

The 355-horsepower 3.5-litre EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 takes shoe-horning to new heights. There are reports of alternator sightings, though they have yet to be confirmed. Lincoln states a City cycle of 13.1 litres per 100 kilometres, and 9.2 litres Highway. Another EcoBoost toy in the hands of Inside Story resulted in a turbo-spooling festival of Urban driving, returning 16 litres per 100 kilometres, according to the driver info screen. If it helps a smidge, remember that the EcoBoost can survive on a regular unleaded diet.

Is this the Flex that should have been? While the sniggles, be they afterthought or last-minute execution, can be easily ironed out, the MKT has the makings of a veritable coup on its hands, within the crossover-lux segment, and in its own backyard. Imagine what the availability of a front-drive MKT would do to Flex sales, hint-hint. This is the full-load Colony Park of the Next Generation, the wagon that puts sex back on the panels, and not in the back at Lover’s Lane. Hmmmm, then again…

Next week: 2010 Toyota 4Runner

Related posts:

1. First Drive: 2010 Lincoln MKT EcoBoost
2. Inside Story: 2010 Lincoln MKZ AWD
3. Ford starts EcoBoost engine production
4. Ford marks initial EcoBoost engine production
5. What’s New: 2010 Lincoln MKT