We all expected the new split wing grille to appear on the MKX, however, I did not expect it to look this good. IMO, the front fascia is almost a perfect balance, unlike the MKZ (Zephyr) and the new MKT.

The new rear fascia looks very nice. The current taillight design is just boring. The step in the taillights in the rear liftgate adds a nice touch.

One thing I will be excited to see this auto show season is whether or not it gets a unique interior. The current MKX and Edge share the same interior with color and material updates, which is just awful.. classic GM move.

Overall, I would've like to see more of an update, but I was expecting one. The MKX needs to remain close to the Ford Edge as possible in order to remain affordable in price. With these nice exterior updates, and a unique interior, the new MKX will be more of a hit than the current, 1950's looking Continental styled MKX (which is fine).

Also, I'm curious about the new powerplants in the Edge and MKX. I'm wondering if the 305 hp 3.7L V6 from the 2010 Mustang will be used in the AWD varient as an option. We know it will be getting an Ecoboost motor, so that almost guarantees the EB 3.5L found in the Flex, MKS and the MKT. But seeing that it's a little lighter, the 2.5L ecoboost would be a perfect motor for the base model, as opposed to a standard V6 (whether it's the 3.5L or the 3.7L). It's rumored to have near 300 hp, which is sufficient.

I'm very excited for Ford. New motors, new cars, new designs, it's all good so far. The only car they are coming out with next year that I think might fail is the Fiesta. It's too small for most americans in the small car market. it works great in Europe and Asia, but it's smaller than the Focus, which is almost too small as it is.

www.leftlanenews.com/lincoln-mkx-2011.html

Yea, whether or not I like fords Ford is on the right track. I have to disagree on the Fiesta though, or at least give it the benefit of the doubt. Since I know some people who really like the 1st gen Focus 3 doors and are looking forward for one. Plus people buy the yaris and fit, I think people would like a Mazda/Ford version =)

Glad to see you posting again

I've just been so busy this semester, it's unreal and I haven't had a lot of time. But i'm hoping I'll be able to post more. I miss the discussion around here. It was always a nice place to come and just relax.

And about the Fiesta. I hop it does well, I really do. I'm just afraid it will not do well. However, from the sounds of it, Ford is really pressing it at the LA auto show. Almost 2/3 of the space is taken up by the Fiesta, which is smart. Reminds me of the 08 Detroit show when Ford had half a dozen F150's at least!!! and dodge had only brought one new Ram with them..

I definitely don't think it will be as successful as it is in Europe though. It will do well enough here, but I'm just afraid it will be too small for too many Americans. Hopefully I'm wrong. It's a hot little car. Not my cup of tee, but in the smal;l car segment, it's making quite the splash.

Yea, there's always doubt, but we gotta just wait and see. Speaking of F150s I saw two Raptors last week. Always nice to OEM flare. I forget what your major is, school is tough, lol. Are you on the quarter or semester system?

I'm a math/history major, physics minor in the predental program. it's kickin my ass to say the least, and i'm not doing as well as i need to. my gpa is sitting just over 3.0, and it's not good enough for dental school. so we'll see. And i'm on the semester system.. we end the 18th, and that will be the best day of my life!

The raptors are sharp. I saw a white one in Mackinac back in July and it was badass. Can't wait for the 6.2 though.. that will make that truck out of this world.

I like the semester system a lot. Just has a nice break in the middle for you cool off and feel well rested, the quarter system just feels all rush.

Yea curious to see how Ford's 6.2 will be since GM has had there for a while now.

Luckily for Ford trucks, they haven't really needed the biggest and most horsepower, ya know. but now, i think they are recognizing that if they want to be the no 1 automaker, they have to be the best in every respect. more than just quality, and i think that's the biggest reason for dumping the 5.4. it's a bullet proof motor, but they've heard the people, and the people want bigger and faster, which they will have to provide in order to take that next leap ahead in the truck segment

here is one thing that worries me though...where is the expedition going? i haven't heard anything new about it until it was refreshed in 08. that is another area for has to re-perfect again, because the tahoe seems to be more appealing to the public for whatever reason.

lol, I don't think any Ford product is perfect. No car/truck is perfect. That's why all of them sell, just some better than others. Yea Ford has been lacking in power for a long time, it's the reason why we've never bought a ford commercial gas truck/van. We've rented 5.4s and they just don't have the power we need.

I think the Tahoe/Suburbans are more popular atm because they're newly restyled, bigger, and competitive MPG for its segment.

Looking at it technically though, the Expedition is actually the more practical family vehicle. it's rated to actually tow more, it has flat folding 3rd row seat, it has IRS for a smoother, more controllable ride, and overall space is nearly the same... plus, it only gets one less mpg.

in terms of the styling, the Tahoe was redone in '06, whereas the Expedition in '07.. so the Expedition is the fresher of the two.

you read the reviews and that's what people will say. the Expedition carries almost every category, especially convenience and ergonomics. i mean, in the tahoe, you actually have to remove the 3rd row seat in order to get a flat service. if i wanna go buy a new flat screen, i don't want to lift two 80 pound units out of the back of my truck.. i would rather just drive to best buy, push two buttons, and slide the tv right in.

so it's not that the tahoe is more fresh, bigger, more practical..it's the engine and power options. simple as that. even though the expedition has a higher tow rating, people don't recognize that..they recognize hp and tq, and that is where the expedition loses almost every time...and personal bias or preference.

I understand where you're coming from, but I think people simply feel if the Tahoe isn't big enough for them they'll go for a Burban. But I'm not really in the market for a large SUV so it's not directed at me. I'm not disagreeing with you or agreeing with you about which is a better SUV, but I disagree that the Expedition has a fresher look, it got a refresh yes in 07, but it's basically the same as it was in 03 while the Tahoe/Suburban got a new design with new crisp styling in 06. Maybe a lot of people don't see the new Expedition as "new" even though it had a refresh. I'm sure thing will change when the Expedition gets a real make over.