carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $32,199–$40,402 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 6.8/10, the 2014 Lincoln MKS earns a Good rating among the sedans we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.6/10, while Value at 6.1/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We rate reliability at 6.3/10 — below the segment average in our scoring. Budget for potentially higher maintenance costs and check the recall record below before buying. On safety it earns 7.6/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.7/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology comes in at 7.5/10 — functional and modern, with wireless connectivity and core ADAS features, though some competitors pack more standard tech at this price point.
Priced from $32,199–$40,402, 11 MPG, seating 5, the Lincoln MKS sits in the mid-market bracket of the sedan segment. The value score of 6.1/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 12 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Bottom line: There's a case for the 2014 Lincoln MKS, but it needs the right buyer. Its performance and reliability and value scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2014 Lincoln MKS ranks #1169 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 11% of the segment. Its 6.8/10 overall score is 0.7 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $32,199 starting price is about 16% above the segment's median of $27,664.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking → · Best Sedans under $35k →
Smart-money pick: the 2012 Lincoln MKS scores 6.7/10 — within striking distance of the 2014's 6.8 — and starts roughly $3,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 (this review) | 6.8/10 | $32,199 | |
| 2013 | 6.8/10 | $30,820 | Read review → |
| 2012 | 6.7/10 | $29,440 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Fuel system, gasoline / Delivery / Fuel pump 25/08/2016 · 16V621000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI Ecoboost engines and 2013-2015 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor vehicles. A component within the fuel… |
|---|---|
| Power train / Axle assembly / Axle shaft 02/07/2014 · 14V393000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 2, 2010, to November 30, 2013; 2013-2014 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured August 25, 2011, to November 30, 2013;… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2014 Lincoln MKS's reliability 6.3/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
2 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 6.8/10 overall, ranking #1169 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 11% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2014 Lincoln MKS starts at $32,199 and ranges up to $40,402 across trims (MSRP when new). At 11 MPG, expect roughly $4,773/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Lincoln models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.