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J.D. Power & Associates' latest vehicle dependability study says most cars are getting better. In fact, J.D. Power tests showed that 25 of 36 brands (69%) improved their long-term durability. Reported problems decreased from an industry average of 167 per 100 vehicles last year to the current 155 (+7% in reliability).
The study, which measures problems experienced by original owners of three-year-old (2007 model year) vehicles, said that Porsche was the highest-ranking brand with 110 problems per 100 vehicles followed by Lincoln (114 problems) and Buick (115 problems).The Cadillac DTS is the model with the fewest problems in the industry, with just 76 issues per 100 vehicles. This marks the first time in more than a decade that a model from a domestic automaker has achieved the lowest PP100 score in the Vehicle Dependability Study.Interestingly, seven of the 10 models with the lowest incidence of problems in the industry are from Ford and General Motors, including the 2007 model-year Buick Lacrosse, Buick Lucerne, Cadillac DTS, Ford Five Hundred, Lincoln MKZ, Mercury Milan, and Mercury Montego.The biggest losers in terms of increases in problems per 100 vehicles are: Land Rover (+27), Audi (+25), Mitsubishi (+20).The brands with the most problems per 100 vehicles in the industry are: Volkswagen (225), Suzuki (253) and Land Rover (255).Source & Charts: J.D. Power & Associates
FoMoCo lifted the covers off its heavily revised 2011 Lincoln MKX at the Detroit Auto Show today. Lincoln's Ford Edge-based mid-size crossover has received a hefty makeover with new sheetmetal, a refreshed interior that ditches conventional buttons and knobs for an array of capacitive-touch controls, chassis improvements and a new 3.7-liter V7 engine.
From the outside, the 2011 model year MKX is recognizable by its MKT-inspired fascia with the huge split grille, the sculptured front wheel arches, the new tailgate and tail lamp assembly, and freshly designed alloy wheels. The interior has also been revamped boasting a new design and upgraded materials and trim. However, the most significant change concerns the adoption of the firm's "MyLincoln Touch" interface that replaces traditional vehicle buttons, knobs and gauges with LCD screens and touch-sensitive controls like those found on cell phones and MP3 players.
Underneath the hood, the MKX's 3.5-liter V6 has been replaced by Ford's new 3.7-liter V6 that is shared with the 2011 Mustang V6. It produces 305 horsepower and 280 ft.-lb. of torque and is linked to a six-speed SelectShift Automatic transmission returning up to 25mpg on the highway.
Other improvements for the 2011 model year MKX include the more powerful four-wheel disc brakes, the retuned suspension and the addition of Hill Start Assist, which reduces rollback on hills and Trailer Sway Control, which provides greater towing stability when equipped with the available trailer tow package.
The 2011 Lincoln MKX will be built at Ford's Oakville Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada, with sales set to begin this summer.
FoMoCo lifted the covers off its heavily revised 2011 Lincoln MKX at the Detroit Auto Show today. Lincoln's Ford Edge-based mid-size crossover has received a hefty makeover with new sheetmetal, a refreshed interior that ditches conventional buttons and knobs for an array of capacitive-touch controls, chassis improvements and a new 3.7-liter V7 engine.From the outside, the 2011 model year MKX is recognizable by its MKT-inspired fascia with the huge split grille, the sculptured front wheel arches, the new tailgate and tail lamp assembly, and freshly designed alloy wheels. The interior has also been revamped boasting a new design and upgraded materials and trim. However, the most significant change concerns the adoption of the firm's "MyLincoln Touch" interface that replaces traditional vehicle buttons, knobs and gauges with LCD screens and touch-sensitive controls like those found on cell phones and MP3 players.
Underneath the hood, the MKX's 3.5-liter V6 has been replaced by Ford's new 3.7-liter V6 that is shared with the 2011 Mustang V6. It produces 305 horsepower and 280 ft.-lb. of torque and is linked to a six-speed SelectShift Automatic transmission returning up to 25mpg on the highway.
Other improvements for the 2011 model year MKX include the more powerful four-wheel disc brakes, the retuned suspension and the addition of Hill Start Assist, which reduces rollback on hills and Trailer Sway Control, which provides greater towing stability when equipped with the available trailer tow package.
The 2011 Lincoln MKX will be built at Ford's Oakville Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada, with sales set to begin this summer.
The study, which measures problems experienced by original owners of three-year-old (2007 model year) vehicles, said that Porsche was the highest-ranking brand with 110 problems per 100 vehicles followed by Lincoln (114 problems) and Buick (115 problems).
