The Lincoln MKX remains one of the segment's most powerful crossovers. The five-passenger crossover has best-in-class fuel economy and impressive standard horsepower.

It also has standard voice-activeated SYNC with MyLincoln Touch, heated and cooled front seats, reverse sensing system and remote keyless entry and start.

Extensively refreshed for the 2011 model year, the 2013 Lincoln MKX rolls into showrooms with enhancements that make it even more appealing. Available in front-wheel and all-wheel-drive configurations, the 2013 MKX, on sale now, has a starting MSRP of $39,575.

CHANGES

Dramatic 22-inch polished aluminum wheels become available late in the model year. These wheels expand the wheel offerings beyond the standard 18-inch rims and optional 19- and 20-inch choices.

Contemporary new exterior colors include Kodiak Brown Metallic Tri-coat, Ginger Ale, Ruby Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat and Smoked Quartz Metallic Tinted Clearcoat.

Expanded SYNC functionality includes standard operator Assist and local Wi-Fi hotspot capabilities for laptops and tablets.

SAFETY

Standard Curve Control is part of the vehicle's AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control. Curve Control helps drivers maintain control when taking a curve too quickly, an error contributing to some 50,000 crashes in the U.S. annually.

Safety is a key Lincoln MKX feature, and the model earned a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

To earn this ranking, a vehicle must offer electronic stability control as well as achieve a rating of "good" in offset frontal-, side and rear-impact crash tests and roof strength evaluations.

In addition to standard electronic stability control, the Lincoln MKX premium utility features a solid unibody construction, which provides an energy-absorbing structure to help protect occupants. Bumper-to-bumper flow-through side rails, structural design and A-pillars are meant to better manage crash energy. Nearly half of the stiff shell is composed of high-strength steels, such as boron, for both increased strength and reduced weight.

When a crash becomes unavoidable, MKX relies on an array of airbags and other technologies to help protect occupants. Two front second-generation airbags and two side airbags are joined by a Safety Canopy consisting of side-curtain airbags for two rows of passengers. The first-row safety belts feature pretensioners and an energy management system with adjustable D-ring height in the first row.

TECHNOLOGY

MKX was also the launch vehicle for Lincoln's industry-first SYNC with MyLincoln Touch driver connect technology. This technology provides an intuitive, easy-to-use system for accessing a multifunction color display and infotainment color display.

This technology puts customers in control of what they want when they want it - through voice, touch or a mix of both. Settings and controls can be personalized to the customer's interests and level of engagement desired.

Standard with MyLincoln Touch are two 4.2-inch color LCD screens in the cluster controlled by two five-way switches on the steering wheel and an 8-inch color LCD touch screen in the center stack.

Lincoln MKX offers excellent standard horsepower (305) and torque (280 lb.-ft.) through a 3.7-liter V6 engine featuring twin independent variable camshaft timing.

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