Spy Shot: Redesigned Lincoln MKX gains corporate face
by John Neff on Jul 8th 2009 at 3:29PM 
Redesigned Lincoln MKX spy shot – Click above to enlarge
Lincoln's new corporate grille is comprised of a split-wing design that flows up into a pair of swept back headlamps. It debuted on the MKS, has migrated to the MKZ and was expanded for the MKT three-row crossover, and now it's set to appear on the redesigned MKX crossover.
The MKX crossover has always been the odd-man-out in terms of styling when compared to the rest of the Lincoln lineup. Even before the split-wing grille came into being, the MKX debuted with a front fascia that didn't match any of the brand's other models because it was based on the 2005 Lincoln Aviator concept. All that will change as this spy shot reveals.
Whereas the split-wing grille looks over-the-top on the much larger MKT crossover, this most important of Lincoln design cues seems right at home on the smaller MKX. Click the image above for an enlarged view and let us (and Lincoln) know what you think in the comments. Specifically, how do you think the new MKX design compares to its cross-town rival, the 2010 Cadillac SRX?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
jeff 3:33PM (7/08/2009)
I always thought the old MKX grill was pretty cool. Very distinct, helped that car stand out from the crowd. I hope it keeps the full width tail light though, it looks really good.
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Other Man 6:08PM (7/08/2009)
I agree, although I think this 2010's grille is a bit too big, vertically speaking. The key thing to change with the MKX was to follow GM and Honda's lead of now making the premium version of the platform drive and feel too much like the mainstream model.
Cadillac appears to have nailed it with the 2010 SRX, and Honda's been doing it for years with the MDX. Ford wasn't so successful with this, but I'll hold judgement until I see what the 2010 can offer.
In my opinion, a revised interior would be the first order of business, followed by replacing the 3.5-L with the 3.7-L as in the MKS, giving it extra power over the plebian Edge version. Maybe even the EcoBoost would work well in a top model as well to lay the SRX's 300 hp turbo-6 to waste.
AMcA 7:47PM (7/08/2009)
What they need to do is improve the interior.
Richard 10:41PM (7/08/2009)
Yup! I was hoping that original MKX grille - Retro-Lincoln as it was - would set the theme for a brand-wide Lincoln design that captured some of those styling cues from the 1960's when Lincoln was a worthy Amer-Luxury brand.
But the kids won out. Hell, they don't even call these cars "Mark." They call them "M-K." How - um - off the mark is that?
Randy 12:22AM (7/10/2009)
I agree that this is MUCH better. The last one (09) looks like a potato masher like the Navigator. Which for the Love of God needs to lose that grill. They need to go back to the original grill and jazz it up. Keep it going like the Town Car did. Minor grill changes but new every two (ish).
chairmanx 3:36PM (7/08/2009)
This is a definite improvement over the current.. but the real question is, what are they going to do with the Navigator? Will it be the only Lincoln left with the 60's retroesque front end?
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Cody 3:39PM (7/08/2009)
I'm already picturing what the next generation Navi will be looking like with this new grille.
I always favored the Nav over the Escalade.
Liquid 4:41PM (7/08/2009)
You guys really think the Navigator is going to stick around past 2010MY?
merlot066 10:41PM (7/08/2009)
Yes, they already have definite plans to refresh the Navigator for 2011.
revaholic 3:36PM (7/08/2009)
I've only ever liked the new Lincoln grille on the MKS. I think it's too big on the MKZ, MKT, and now, the MKX. The SRX, in my opinion, looks miles better.
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Nellydesign 3:49PM (7/08/2009)
It's way too big on the MKT but I like it here and on the other models.
Matt 3:42PM (7/08/2009)
Who would have thought that the MKX could get uglier?
Oh well...Ford never ceases to amaze me.
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TKOsoccer03 4:00PM (7/08/2009)
ya me neither ...
5 years ago, "experts" said that Ford would be the first of the big 3 to go bankrupt should an economic downfall arise. so much for that prediction.
1 year ago, they were the number 3 automaker. today, they are the number one automaker.
Matt 3:56PM (7/08/2009)
...And yet still, the ugly, bland product continues. Ford needs to do something unique with their products...and quit trying to be copy everyone else.
TKOsoccer03 4:00PM (7/08/2009)
what or who have they copied???
bland? please .. you are in a very, very, very small majority, tell me, how do you feel about that?
compy386 4:36PM (7/08/2009)
Please do not feed the trolls. Thank you.
Iwa 5:06PM (7/08/2009)
"5 years ago, "experts" said that Ford would be the first of the big 3 to go bankrupt should an economic downfall arise. so much for that prediction."
Had Ford continued on the path they were on five years ago, they would have gone bankrupt. Only thing that saved them was dismantling their empire before the economic downturn. The big X factor is going to be is not going into bankruptcy ultimately a wise decision for them once this economic slowdown is over. They'll still have their debt levels that they didn't shed, unlike GM or Chrysler.
Gregg 3:46PM (7/08/2009)
The Lincoln split wing grill looks fine on it. (Those who complain about the bolder styling have lots of other choices.) The problem is that it uses the exact same body as the Edge, except for the front clip and different tail lights. It needs some differentiation from its Ford sibling. Cadillac no longer puts a different grill and upgraded interior on a Chevrolet and then calls it a Cadillac. I think Lincoln should stop this nonsense too. At least change the window shape in the cargo area, or give it a Lincoln upsweep in the rear doors a la MKT...or SOMETHING. A different front clip may fool some people, but I always see a Ford with a different grill when I see the MKX.
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Gloria 4:02PM (7/08/2009)
This is just the MCE, thus the entire look is not changing. However, look for what you are asking for, on the redesign, in a couple of years.
At that time, the vehicles will be completely different looking, much in the same vein that the MKT and Flex look completely different, inside and out.
Max Palmer 3:47PM (7/08/2009)
Is anyone else confused over all the MK names?
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