What is the Ford equivalent to the Lincoln MKS?
The Ford Taurus, especially the Taurus SHO, is the closest Ford equivalent to Lincoln’s MKS.
Context and positioning
The Lincoln MKS was introduced for the 2009 model year as a full‑size luxury sedan aimed at buyers who wanted premium comfort and space, with branding rooted in Lincoln’s luxury heritage. It shared engineering with Ford’s D3 platform family, which also underpinned the Ford Taurus and related models. The MKS was produced until 2016, when Lincoln refocused its lineup on newer flagship sedans and crossovers.
The Ford Taurus has long served as Ford’s mainstream full‑size sedan, evolving through several generations to emphasize practicality, space, and value. In performance-focused form, the Taurus SHO offered a higher‑output EcoBoost setup for enthusiasts. Taken together, the Taurus lineup functions as the closest Ford counterpart to the MKS in terms of size, market segment, and the nature of the driving experience—luxury branding aside.
Platform and size
These two sedans sit in the same broad class and share underlying engineering, making them natural peers in Ford’s and Lincoln’s lineups.
- Shared architecture: Both models ride on Ford’s D3-era platform family, with similar wheelbase and overall footprint in their respective trims.
- Body and space: Both are traditional full‑size/large sedans with generous interior volume and trunk space.
- Drivetrain options: Across their lifecycles, both offered front‑wheel drive as standard and had all‑wheel‑drive options on many trims or variants.
- Branding vs. practicality: MKS emphasizes Lincoln’s premium materials and quiet luxury, while Taurus prioritizes mainstream practicality with accessible features.
In short, the Taurus mirrors the MKS in size and engineering, while delivering the Ford-branding and price positioning that appeals to a different buyer group.
Powertrains and variants
Engine options and performance variants illustrate how the two models tracked similar performance paths, albeit with different emphasis.
- MKS powertrains: Early MKS models used a 3.7-liter V6; later years offered a 3.5-liter EcoBoost option for higher performance and efficiency.
- Taurus powertrains: The Taurus lineup included EcoBoost options, with the Taurus SHO featuring a high‑output 3.5-liter EcoBoost for performance-minded buyers.
- All‑wheel drive: Both lines offered AWD configurations on select trims, enhancing all‑weather capability.
- Luxury vs. sport emphasis: The MKS leaned toward premium interior upgrades and quieter ride, while the Taurus line included sportier associations in the SHO variant.
Taken together, the MKS and Taurus offered parallel powertrain paths—V6 and EcoBoost options with AWD—but framed around Lincoln’s luxury branding versus Ford’s mainstream and performance positioning.
Current status and legacy
The Lincoln MKS was discontinued after the 2016 model year as Lincoln streamlined its lineup toward newer sedans like the Continental and MKZ, and more recently toward SUVs. The Ford Taurus, while a mainstay for years, saw its U.S. market presence fade with Ford’s shift toward SUVs and crossovers; production for the Taurus largely ended in the United States around 2019. In essence, the MKS and Taurus occupied similar roles in their respective brands but were phased out as market preferences and corporate strategies evolved.
Bottom line
For those seeking a Ford alternative to the Lincoln MKS, the Taurus family—with emphasis on the Taurus SHO for performance—provides the closest match in size, platform, and market focus. The MKS represented Lincoln’s luxury flagship in its class, while the Taurus offered a more mainstream, value-oriented path with sportier variants in its SHO lineup.
Summary
The Ford Taurus (and particularly the Taurus SHO) is the closest Ford analogue to the Lincoln MKS, sharing the same platform and size while catering to different buyer sensibilities—Lincoln’s luxury emphasis versus Ford’s practical, performance‑driven approach. Both models reflect Ford’s approach to the full‑size sedan segment during their respective eras before shifts toward newer designs and SUV-centric lineups.
What model replaced the Lincoln MKS?
Lincoln Continental
It was replaced by the tenth generation Lincoln Continental.
Is a Lincoln MKZ the same as a Ford Fusion?
2020 Lincoln MKZ
Lincoln is the luxury arm of the Ford brand, and the Lincoln MKZ, built on the same platform as the Ford Fusion, is Lincoln's flagship luxury sedan.
Is a Lincoln MKX the same as a Ford Edge?
Ford Edge vs.
The Ford Edge comes standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the Lincoln MKX offers a six-speed automatic transmission of its own. There is one advantage to choosing the Lincoln: You'll receive a built-in Manual driving mode, so you can take control with the press of a button.
Is there a Lincoln version of the Ford Taurus?
The Lincoln MKS is the Lincoln version of the Ford Taurus, sharing a chassis and platform with the Taurus but featuring a more upscale design and luxury features. Produced from the 2009 to 2016 model years, it was positioned as a premium full-size sedan.
You can watch this video to learn more about the Lincoln MKS and its comparison to the Ford Taurus: 1mShooting CarsYouTube · Feb 24, 2023
- Platform: The MKS was built on the same Ford D3 platform as the Taurus.
- Positioning: Lincoln marketed the MKS as a luxury alternative to the Taurus, a successor to both the Continental and Town Car lines.
- Engine options: While sharing some powertrain technology, the MKS often featured different engine options than the standard Taurus, including a more powerful twin-turbo V6 engine on certain trims.
- Production: The MKS was produced from 2009 to 2016 and was ultimately replaced by the Lincoln Continental.
