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Lincoln streamlines the 2013 MKS, MKT

Lincoln hits the 2011 LA Auto Show with a one-two punch, unveiling the 2013 MKS sedan and MKT crossover simultaneously.

Antuan Goodwin Reviews Editor / Cars
Antuan Goodwin gained his automotive knowledge the old fashioned way, by turning wrenches in a driveway and picking up speeding tickets. From drivetrain tech and electrification to car audio installs and cabin tech, if it's on wheels, Antuan is knowledgeable.
Expertise Reviewing cars and car technology since 2008 focusing on electrification, driver assistance and infotainment Credentials
  • North American Car, Truck and SUV of the Year (NACTOY) Awards Juror
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Antuan Goodwin
2 min read

LOS ANGELES--Lincoln hits the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show with a one-two punch, unveiling the 2013 MKS sedan and MKT crossover simultaneously.

The most prominent change to these two 2013 Lincolns is the new design language. Lincoln has simplified and restyled the waterfall grille into something that can only really be described as a windswept mustache. Twin grilles with vertical bars sweep back into integrated headlamps. Meanwhile, the front fenders and hood have been simplified with fewer creases and kinks. I think the MKS wears the look better, partially due to its more compact size. In either case, the result is probably best described as polarizing.

2013 Lincoln MKT
The 7-passenger MKT receives many of the same upgrades as its sedan sibling. Antuan Goodwin/CNET

The sedan and the awkwardly shaped crossover receive nearly identical upgrades. Both models can be had with the same 300-horsepower 3.7-liter V-6 engine or 355-horsepower 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine. Both models feature front- and all-wheel-drive configurations. And at their top tier, both feature upgraded brakes and the new Lincoln Drive Control system that rolls settings for the adaptive suspension, power steering, throttle response, gearbox, and traction control into one control knob with three selectable modes: Normal, Sport, and Comfort.

The 2013 models are each available with Lincoln's new Lane Keeping System, which monitors the lane markings on the road with a camera and responds with three levels of intervention. The first level is a warning chime as the driver approaches the boundaries of the lane. If the vehicle drifts out of its lane without signaling, torque is applied to the electric power-steering system to pull the vehicle back in line. Finally, if the system senses that the driver is sleepy or otherwise not alert, it will sound another chime and illuminate a coffee cup icon on the dashboard to suggest that it's time for a break.

Be sure to check out our gallery of the 2013 Lincoln MKS and MKT reveal for more photos and details.

Lincoln unveils 2013 MKS and MKT (photos)

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