No doubt the MKX is a surprise hit by Lincoln’s lowered standards, but its pretty mediocre compared to the Lexus RX. I think a lot of the MKX’s hit factor is the JFK-Continental grille (love it or leave it, and that works) and somewhat Lincoln-ish styling/luxury on a catchy CUV platform.

The MKS sedan? A hybrid of lousy, un-American styling elements on an Acura RL worthy chassis. I wouldn’t hold my breath on its success.

The MKZ? Is it really doing well? I expect the MKS to follow the MKZ, even if its not badge-engineered.

You may not like the current Lincolns (eg MKX and MKZ)but they are selling well.

Lincoln sales have been increasing 13 months straight and +14% for the year. Granted it is off a small base–but progress is progress and they will move 140K+ units in 2007. I would also point out that recent Lincoln entries have achieved stellar quality rankings and the Lincoln dealership experience is consistently rated in the Top 5. Net—Lincoln is providing an alternative to those who cannot deal with Euro quality and don’t want to be seen as a Lexus lemming.

The MKX alone will sell between 35-40K units this year against a forecast of 30K. NOTE: the price point of the MKX typically equipped reaches the $40K threshold as well

The MKX sales rate has come with little incentives other than some decent financing and lease rates. Some thought the MKX would bomb in the face of the Lexus RX, new Acura MDX, and Infiniti…let alone the Enclave and Caddy SRX.

All I know is My 2007 MKX has been great. Blows the doors off my former POS X5 that knew my BMW dealer—ummm I mean center—all too well.

As far as the MKS—I think it will be another solid entry for Lincoln and get them closer to being in the game. For those that think the only way they will move massive incentives—-I point you to the MKX example above.

In its price range most of its competitors are rear wheel drive and offer much more. I wish them luck selling them without huge incentives.

Also, improperly assembled show car?

I wouldn’t be surprised if the MKS will need Town Car levels of discounts ($10,000+) to sell. Except the Town Car has/had a loyal following and cohesive styling that isn’t a ripoff of a Jag XF and Quattroporte…

And the Town Car has a V8. Sure it only has 239hp, but you step on the throttle and the torque and intake roar are distinctly American. That’s why you buy a Lincoln.

The MKS may not be unique or Lincoln-y, but at least its not badge engineered. It won’t wind up like the Mark LT.

Seniors have how many cars built for them now? 6?

And I’m with SherbornSean, I really doubt that this thing will sell well @ north of $40k per. That’s territory occupied by some awfully nice cars that’ll no doubt exceed this thing in just about every category.

That MKX (chromy Edge)thing Lincoln has is a Murano copy, 4 years too late. The MKX (chromy Fusion) is not in the same league as the G35 or even the ES330. And the Nagrivator, Town Car and that spangly F150 are just plain sad.

Jill Wagner herself couldn’t drag me into a Lincoln/Mercury dealer.

Someone should get their pink slip for that…really.

Well at least the prow doesn’t resemble a cetacean to as great an extent as the showcar on which it is based. And, uh, well that’s all the nice things I have to say.

It’s not just the looks – Pontiac in the front, Passat in the side, and old Infiniti Q in the rear. It’s not that I’d rather have an Infiniti M for a little more, a CTS for a little less, a Passat for a good amount less, or an Accord or Legacy for way less. No, it’s that I’d rather even have a Sable out of the same friggin’ dealer.

By the end of the model year these will be going for $10k under sticker or more.

Take a look at the interior shots at Autoblog’s gallery. Look at the cheap plastic that forms the center console. It’s a grade below the stuff in the new Accord.

BTW, I priced out one at Lincoln.com, fully loaded AWD = $48,000.

Basically its Lincolns answer to the Acura RL, but we knew that already.