Design
Lincoln likes to refer to this as a luxury truck, but the hard door sills and the abundance of cheap plastics suggest anything but. The leather on the seats feels more like pleather, the wood trim on the center console brings back nightmares from the 1970s, and the swiveling air vents wobble in their sockets.
If the 2006 Lincoln Mark LT looks eerily familiar, it should – it’s a mildly tricked-out Ford F-150. Those with a penchant for detail will recognize Lincoln upgrades like the vertically-stacked chrome grille, the reflector panel running the width of the tailgate, the unique badges inside and out, and the minor tweaks within the cabin. Keen and not-so-keen observers alike will recognize the similar build quality, including a misaligned tailgate, irregular door gaps, chrome side panels that don’t sit flush with the body, and bed rails that were popping off. The overall design is attractive, accented by seven-spoke chrome wheels with Lincoln center hubs, and a subtle Mark LT badge. But this thing still looks too much like the Ford F-150, especially since both vehicles use the exact same headlights. At least when GM splits a model between several different brands, it changes the head and taillights. The story inside the 2006 Lincoln Mark LT is much the same. That’s to say, buyers might feel a tad ripped off given the $43,000 sticker price. Lincoln likes to refer to this as a luxury truck, but the hard door sills, the abundance of cheap and thin plastic panels, and the fuzzy headliner suggest anything but. The leather on the seats feels more like pleather, the wood trim on the center console brings back nightmares from the 1970s, and the swiveling air vents wobble in their sockets. To top it off, a micro thin layer of something resembling leather is stitched over the gauge cluster, but tap it with any force and you’ll bruise your fingertip. In short, the Mark LT’s interior is comprised of cheap materials, and, unfortunately, they’re assembled about as well as they feel. Our tester featured a loose kick panel on the driver’s side, inconsistent gaps around the dash and pillars, and the ashtray would either stick or not shut at all. Nice. On a positive note, the radio and climate controls are clearly marked and within easy reach, and the illuminated steering wheel buttons are especially appreciated at night. Another added bonus the Mark LT’s Tailgate Assist, a system designed to make lowering and raising the locking tailgate much easier.
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