Like the Ford F-150 on which it’s based, the 2006 Lincoln Mark LT draws its power from a 5.4-liter V8 with 300 horses and 365 lb.-ft. of twist. In the Ford, those eight cylinders provide adequate motivation, but the punch one would expect from such an engine is lacking, leaving the driver thinking “Is this all she’s got?” Now consider the Lincoln’s added curb weight, and it doesn’t take a genius to surmise that the Mark LT feels a little sluggish off the line.

But people don’t buy pickups for acceleration, you say. That may or may not be true, but when a buyer forks over more than $40,000, that truck darn well better do everything near perfect, including running quickly from stoplight to stoplight. For its part, the four-speed transmission works well enough, but shifts are abrupt under full acceleration, such as when the throttle needs to be punched against the floorboard for highway passes, and the gas mileage rivals a Hoover for sucking power. In the pie-in-the-sky world of the EPA, a two-wheel-drive 2006 Lincoln Mark LT should get 15 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway; we managed only 13.1 mpg in mixed driving. Mark LT drivers are surely relieved to see the recent decrease in gas prices.

Out on the open road, the four-wheel disc brake setup proves effective, though the pedal is a bit soft, requiring a good chunk of travel for full-on stopping power. As should be obvious, the 2006 Lincoln Mark LT handles like a body-on-frame truck, meaning this heavy vehicle is like a puck on ice in the corners, and the ride is floaty. Road feel through the steering wheel is minimal at best, and the comfortable ride comes at the expense of a controlled suspension. Buyers looking for a more taut or responsive truck should consider alternatives like the Nissan Titan. As is, the Mark LT would require an infusion of horsepower, a buckled-down suspension, and a deeper exhaust note to be an entertaining ride.

While the engine and exhaust may be quiet, the Mark LT’s interior suffers from excessive tire noise and wind buffeting around the windshield. The tires squeal loudly even at slow speeds, and our tester’s optional bed extender banged against the steel bed over bumps. Conspicuously absent, however, were any squeaks or rattles in the plastic-clad cabin. Visibility was very good overall, despite thick B- and C-pillars. Exterior mirrors are huge, the greenhouse expansive, and the small rear headrests are unobtrusive.