Safety

Safety  - 2008 Lincoln MKX Review - Reviews - Lincoln MKX

Rare for a new model, the MKX has completed all the major crash tests from our preferred source, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. It has fared exceptionally well, with Good scores (the highest possible) in frontal, side- and rear-impact crashes, earning it a Top Pick designation. In the list of luxury SUVs, it is right behind the Volvo XC90, and it shares that model's Roll Stability Control. (While many brands are claiming that their stability systems can intuit a likely rollover, RSC remains the only feature that senses an actual tip and attempts to stop it.)

The MKX has a government rollover rating of 14 (percent chance of rollover) — beaten only by cars and wagony models like the Chrysler Pacifica and Ford Freestyle. What's more, the XC90's rollover rating is 17 percent. In sum: crash tests on par with Volvo, the same roll-control feature and a better rollover rating. That's pretty impressive.

Safety features not yet mentioned include side-impact front-seat airbags and side curtain airbags that cover the door windows in a side impact. They also deploy if the vehicle rolls over. Adaptive headlights, which swing left and right with the steering wheel, are another safety feature. My test MKX was the first vehicle I've noticed that has adaptive halogen headlamps instead of the higher-value xenon type. Xenon is not offered — a strike against any car claiming luxury. The lights swiveled as intended, but they should be brighter than they are — apart from the xenon aspect.

Also missing is a rearview camera option — another feature competitors offer. The MKX offers sonar rear parking assist, which at least is sold independently as a $245 option.

    See also:

    How does the side air-curtain system work?
    The design and development of the side air curtain system included recommended testing procedures that were developed by a group of automotive safety experts known as the Side Airbag Techn ...

    SYNC system hands free control features
    SYNC system hands free control features Press briefly to use the voice command feature. You will hear a tone and LISTENING will appear in the radio display. Press and hold to exit ...

    Adaptive headlamps (if equipped)
    The headlamp beams move in the same direction as the steering wheel which provides more visibility when driving around curves. • Without adaptive headlamps (1) • With adaptive headlamps (2) N ...