The Lincoln MKT does 20.3 mpg combined (17.4 city, 24.8 highway), which works out to about $1,892 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl does 22.5 mpg while 3.7L 6-cyl does 19.4 — a difference of $272 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Lincoln MKT engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Lincoln MKT ranges from 22.5 down to 19.4 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $272 a year across 3 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 19.5 / 27.3 | 2013–2016 | $1,707 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 17 / 23.5 | 2010–2012 | $1,969 | |
| 3.7L 6-cyl | 16.5 / 23.9 | 2011–2019 | $1,979 |
What that actually costs
The Lincoln MKT burns a gallon every 20.3 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 591 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.158 |
| Fuel per year | $1,892 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,460 |
| Against other V6 cars | −$38 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,089 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Lincoln MKT gives up 7.4 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 24.8 out there against 17.4 in town, a 43% drop worth $659 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 17.4 mpg | $2,207 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 24.8 mpg | $1,548 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.4 mpg (43%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the MKT changed over the years
The MKT peaked in 2015 at 21.5 mpg (18.5 city, 26 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2019 at 19 — 2.5 mpg apart, or $235 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2019 car does 19. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 16 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2018 | 16 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2017 | 16 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2016 | 17 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2015 | 18.5 / 26 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 2014 | 18.5 / 26 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 2013 | 18.5 / 26 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 2012 | 17 / 24 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2011 | 17 / 23 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2010 | 17 / 23 | 1 | $2,021 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 14 EPA ratings of the Lincoln MKT — 3 engines across 2010–2019. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $3,089. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Lincoln MKT get?
20.3 mpg combined on average — 17.4 in the city and 24.8 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2010–2019.
How much does a Lincoln MKT cost in fuel per year?
About $1,892 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,460 over five years, or 0.158 dollars a mile.
Which MKT engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 22.5 mpg, against 19.4 for the 3.7L 6-cyl — a difference of about $272 a year.
Is the MKT good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world MKT figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Lincoln MKT is $3,089 against the $1,892 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 23 and 19 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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