The Lincoln MKX is a compact SUV built from 2007 to 2018 over 2 generations. Most were assembled in Canada — 99% of those on record. Between 2007 and 2018 it grew 8 cm longer and gained -14 kg. Engines offered: V6. Worth buying? It scores near the top of what we track at 4.5/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the MKX is
The Lincoln MKX is a compact SUV that Lincoln built from 2007 to 2018 — 12 model years. Our measurements put it at 2 generations, the current one starting in 2016. It has been offered with V6 power. Its closest siblings in the Lincoln range: Nautilus, Corsair, MKC.
Where the MKX is built
A badge says where the company is registered; the VIN says where the car was bolted together. We counted the first three characters — the manufacturer identifier — across 1,310 MKXs on record.
| Assembled in | Share | VIN starts with | Years seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 2LM | 2007-2018 | |
| Mexico | 3LN | 2007-2012 |
Check your own: the first three characters of a Lincoln VIN decide which of these 2 lines your MKX belongs to. What every character in a MKX VIN means →
Got the full 17 characters? A free VIN check on a Lincoln MKX adds what the decoder can't see: open recalls, theft and total-loss records, and the safety ratings for that exact build.
MKX generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the MKX's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the MKX that gives 2 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-2015 | 475 cm | 282 cm | 2004 kg | - | - |
| 2016-2018 | 483 cm | 285 cm | 1990 kg | +8 cm | -14 kg |
Between 2007 and 2018 the MKX gained 8 cm in length (+1.7%) and -14 kg in weight (-0.7%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the MKX that is -14 kg against 8 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Lincoln MKX tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment MKX owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Lincoln MKX have? Power & range
The Lincoln MKX is offered with 1 powertrain — 2.7L 6-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 1 for the Lincoln MKX, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 2.7L · 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | FWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Can a Lincoln MKX tow? Towing & payload
As an SUV, the Lincoln MKX is built to tow and haul. The exact maximum towing capacity and payload depend on the engine, drivetrain and whether it has the factory tow package.
What sets your MKX's tow & payload rating:
- Engine — a larger or turbocharged engine tows more than the base unit.
- Drivetrain & axle — 4WD/AWD and the axle ratio shift the rating.
- Tow package — the factory towing package (hitch, wiring, transmission cooler) raises the max.
- Payload & GVWR — GVWR caps the combined load; more passengers and cargo lower how much you can tow.
Exact towing capacity, payload and GVWR are added per engine, drivetrain and trim — decode your VIN above, or check the driver's door-jamb and hitch labels. Curb weight from vehicle specifications.
The MKX by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Lincoln MKX. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | MKX | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 55 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Owner complaints | 1,412 filed | What breaks and when |
| Reliability | 4.5 / 5 | Best and worst years |
| Crash safety | ★★★★★ NHTSA | Frontal, side, rollover |
| Insurance | $1,228/yr | Estimated full coverage |
| Used value | 554 listings | What it sells for now |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Lincoln MKX?
The MKX is a compact SUV, built from 2007 to 2018 across 2 generations. Engines offered: V6.
Where is the Lincoln MKX made?
Across 1,310 cars in our records the split is: Canada (99%), Mexico (1%). The first three characters of a VIN identify the plant's manufacturer and country — that is where these shares come from, not from a press release.
How many generations does the MKX have?
2 by our measurements, the latest starting in 2016. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car. Over its life the MKX grew 8 cm longer and gained -14 kg.
What is the Lincoln MKX warranty?
New models carry 4 years / 50,000 miles basic cover and 4 years / 50,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the MKX reliable?
It scores 4.5/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific MKX?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
More in Lincoln
| Model | Years | Recalls | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Navigator | 1998–2026 | 155 | 19 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Lincoln Continental | 1981–2026 | 80 | 24 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Lincoln Aviator | 2003–2026 | 127 | 23 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Lincoln Nautilus | 2019–2026 | 35 | 30 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Lincoln Mark | 1981–1998 | 27 | 24 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Lincoln Town Car | 1981–2011 | 128 | 20 mpg | 3.5/5 |
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