2002 Lincoln Blackwood: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Lincoln's first pickup truck borrows front-end styling and interior appointments from the Navigator SUV, but gets its own unique cargo bed. Blackwood is basically a Ford F-150 SuperCrew, but seats four instead of five or six. It comes only with a 5.4-liter V8, automatic transmission, and rear-wheel drive; 4WD isn't offered. The cab has four full-size front-hinged doors. The 4-ft 8-inch cargo box has two side-opening doors instead of a tailgate. It's capped with a solid, power-lifted, front-hinged, nonremovable cover designed to be watertight. The box also has storage compartments, floor carpeting, stainless-steel sidewall trim, and internal lighting. Also standard: front side airbags, traction control, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, power-adjustable foot pedals, heated and ventilated front seats, and rear-obstacle-warning system. Blackwood comes only in black, and the sole option is a navigation system. Lincoln has announced that the Blackwood will not return for the 2003 model year due to low sales.

COMPETITION

With the advent of crossover vehicles this segment has become less defined. Once the domain of work-related heavy-duty pickups, buyers are now demanding that their full-size trucks do double duty. Our Best Buys remain the Chevy Silverado, Ford F-150, and GMC Sierra. These trucks offer a wide range of powertrain combinations, plenty of luxury accommodations, and ample towing power--though the GM twins are the only ones to offer full-time 4WD.

The big-rig-styled Dodge Ram matches the new Ford and GM models feature for feature but can't match their ride comfort or civility. We also like the expensive Toyota Tundra. What it lacks in brute strength, it more than makes up for with refined road manners.