The Lincoln MKT is fast becoming the Swiss Army Knife of the upscale PUV set. That's Posh Utility Vehicle.
First it shed the station wagon looks of sibling Ford Flex. Now it's adding serious handling and ride upgrades.
If that's not enough, the MKT is subbing for the late Lincoln Town Car in a fleet version. It's called the Lincoln MKT Town Car Livery and Limousine.
None of this detracts from the car-based utility that is swathed in luxury. This is a commodious three row seat vehicle--the third row folds down at the touch of a power button.
A turbo-charged 3.5L V-6 moves the MKT to 60 mph in a commendable 6.9 seconds via a 6 speed automatic transmission.
Fuel economy is 16 city and 22 highway -- pretty good for 355 horses moving a full-size vehicle. The 2012 MKT starts at $44,300 with our test car at $49,200.
The driving position is superb. So is the view for passengers with an expansive sunroof. This is a true cross-country touring vehicle.
All-wheel drive helps pin the MKT close to the road. Brand new is suspension dampening that reads the road 500 times a second.
Here's where the Swiss Army Knife versatility shines. There are driving modes for sport, normal and comfort and they mean what they say.
For instance, normal is a good mode for commuting. Sport firms up the suspension and quickens steering. Comfort relaxes everything and makes parking easier.
Just think of it as the PUV app.
