2015 Lincoln MKC Angular |
Models and Prices
The 2015 Lincoln MKC offers a trio
of trim levels to choose from. Base Premiere editions of the MKC (MSRP
$33,100) feature power front seats with heaters, imitation leather
covers, and a memory setting for the driver, keyless entry and ignition,
dual automatic climate control, the MyLincoln Touch infotainment
system, parking assistance and a rearview camera, satellite radio,
heated mirrors, tinted windows, HID headlights, and 18-inch rims.
Moving up to the MKC Select (MSRP $39,695) grants you a larger motor and
all-wheel drive, genuine leather upholstery, a few more adjustments for
the driver's seat, power-folding mirrors, and Lincoln's ambient
interior lighting system, while the MKC Reserve (MSRP $46,630) installs
additional active safety gear, ventilation for the front two seating
positions, a link to the MyLincoln Mobile app that allows you to
communicate with the car's various systems via your cell phone, a
navigation system, hands-free opening for the crossover's power
tailgate, a panoramic sunroof, an adaptive suspension system, and power
adjustments for the steering wheel.
The 2015 Lincoln MKC that I drove for a week came in Reserve trim, and it also featured a number of options: the Technology package (adaptive cruise control, self-parking, extra safety equipment), 19-inch rims, the Climate package (heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, automatic high beam headlights, rain-sensitive windshield wipers), aluminum interior trim, and a THX surround sound audio. This inflated the price of my tester by roughly $8,000, bringing its total MSRP to $47,875.
The 2015 Lincoln MKC that I drove for a week came in Reserve trim, and it also featured a number of options: the Technology package (adaptive cruise control, self-parking, extra safety equipment), 19-inch rims, the Climate package (heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, automatic high beam headlights, rain-sensitive windshield wipers), aluminum interior trim, and a THX surround sound audio. This inflated the price of my tester by roughly $8,000, bringing its total MSRP to $47,875.
2015 Lincoln MKC SUV Base 4dr |
Design
What’s New:
The Lincoln MKC's passenger compartment sees even greater differentiation from its Blue Oval roots. In fact, I couldn’t find all that much in common between the Escape and MKC's interior trappings, with the latter adopting a floating center stack, unique center console, and new heating/cooling vent placements and touchscreen mounting position. Even the gauge cluster receives its own special treatment. Moving past control surfaces, the materials used throughout the Lincoln - while not entirely without a few harder edges - are a cut above the Escape's in both quality and appearance.
- The 2015 Lincoln MKC is an all-new design.
The Lincoln MKC's passenger compartment sees even greater differentiation from its Blue Oval roots. In fact, I couldn’t find all that much in common between the Escape and MKC's interior trappings, with the latter adopting a floating center stack, unique center console, and new heating/cooling vent placements and touchscreen mounting position. Even the gauge cluster receives its own special treatment. Moving past control surfaces, the materials used throughout the Lincoln - while not entirely without a few harder edges - are a cut above the Escape's in both quality and appearance.
Comfort and Cargo
What’s New:
The crossovers typically have to be practical as well as comfortable, even in the luxury segment, and in this respect the Lincoln MKC continues to provide a respectable performance. The vehicle's second row gets a bit snug if you're stuck behind taller front seat passengers, but it will be fine for parents hauling around their younger children, which is the target demographic for compacts like the MKC. Cargo room checks in at 53.1 cubic feet in total with the rear row folded forward, which is significantly smaller - 15 cubes fewer, in fact - than what's available in the better-proportioned Escape. While it's a useful amount of space, I am disappointed to see Lincoln continuing the trend of shrinking the utility of its shared crossover platforms that began with the full-size MKT.
- The 2015 Lincoln MKC is an all-new design.
The crossovers typically have to be practical as well as comfortable, even in the luxury segment, and in this respect the Lincoln MKC continues to provide a respectable performance. The vehicle's second row gets a bit snug if you're stuck behind taller front seat passengers, but it will be fine for parents hauling around their younger children, which is the target demographic for compacts like the MKC. Cargo room checks in at 53.1 cubic feet in total with the rear row folded forward, which is significantly smaller - 15 cubes fewer, in fact - than what's available in the better-proportioned Escape. While it's a useful amount of space, I am disappointed to see Lincoln continuing the trend of shrinking the utility of its shared crossover platforms that began with the full-size MKT.
Features and Controls
What’s New:
The buttons-instead-of-shifter transmission controls actually make a lot of sense from a space savings perspective, because it opens up room in the center console for additional storage and a cleaner overall look. I question the logic of placing the engine start/stop button at the base of the design, however, especially since it's identical in shape and feel to the P R N D S buttons just above it. Yes, I am alluding to the fact that I accidentally turned the MKC off while attempting to shift it into Sport. No, I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one to have had this happen to them.
One other intriguing / gimmicky feature to be offered with the 2015 Lincoln MKC is its self-parking system, which will now not just steer the crossover into a parallel spot or 90-degree slot, but also steer you out when it's time to leave. I've rarely been able to get the auto-park to properly sight and lock-in to a parking spot, but the steer-out function did work for me without any issue. I honestly don't think it's a necessary feature - its existence paints a sad picture of atrophying driver skills across the board - but it does perform as advertised.
- The 2015 Lincoln MKC is an all-new design, but carries forward much of the switchgear found in other Lincoln models.
The buttons-instead-of-shifter transmission controls actually make a lot of sense from a space savings perspective, because it opens up room in the center console for additional storage and a cleaner overall look. I question the logic of placing the engine start/stop button at the base of the design, however, especially since it's identical in shape and feel to the P R N D S buttons just above it. Yes, I am alluding to the fact that I accidentally turned the MKC off while attempting to shift it into Sport. No, I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one to have had this happen to them.
One other intriguing / gimmicky feature to be offered with the 2015 Lincoln MKC is its self-parking system, which will now not just steer the crossover into a parallel spot or 90-degree slot, but also steer you out when it's time to leave. I've rarely been able to get the auto-park to properly sight and lock-in to a parking spot, but the steer-out function did work for me without any issue. I honestly don't think it's a necessary feature - its existence paints a sad picture of atrophying driver skills across the board - but it does perform as advertised.
Safety and Ratings
What’s New:
2015 Lincoln MKC Crash-Test Ratings: The NHTSA has awarded the Lincoln MKC four out of five stars in crash test safety, while the IIHS rates the crossover 'Good' in every crash test category except for the small front overlap test, where it received a score of 'Poor.'
- The 2015 Lincoln MKC introduces a strong suite of available safety features.
2015 Lincoln MKC Crash-Test Ratings: The NHTSA has awarded the Lincoln MKC four out of five stars in crash test safety, while the IIHS rates the crossover 'Good' in every crash test category except for the small front overlap test, where it received a score of 'Poor.'
Engines and Fuel Economy
What’s New:
Transmission choice is restricted to a single six-speed automatic, and all-wheel drive is optional for the entry-level engine and bundled free of charge with the 2.3-liter mill. Fuel mileage for the smaller of the two EcoBoost motors is rated at 20-mpg in city driving and 29-mpg on the highway, while the AWD 2.3-liter's consumption shows as 18-mpg around town and 26-mpg highway.
- The 2015 Lincoln MKC marks the introduction of a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder turbo to the brand.
Transmission choice is restricted to a single six-speed automatic, and all-wheel drive is optional for the entry-level engine and bundled free of charge with the 2.3-liter mill. Fuel mileage for the smaller of the two EcoBoost motors is rated at 20-mpg in city driving and 29-mpg on the highway, while the AWD 2.3-liter's consumption shows as 18-mpg around town and 26-mpg highway.
Driving Impressions
The 2015 Lincoln MKC has seen its
chassis and drivetrain tuned to provide the kind of confident,
just-this-side-of-sporty driving experience that sells thousands of SUVs
for rivals like Lexus. Forget taking on the Germans - while the MKC
might be as quick in a straight line as the BMW X3
xDrive28i, it's not intended to offer thrilling cornering capability or
outstanding steering feel. Instead, Lincoln has turned out a crossover
that feels worthy of the premium price being paid for the privilege of
parking it in your driveway.
It starts with the MKC's 2.3-liter power plant. Although I very much enjoyed driving the 2.0-liter EcoBoost in the similarly-sized Escape, there's no question that the additional grunt offered by the larger turbo four goes a long way towards widening of the (crucial) performance gap between the two vehicles. The EcoBoosted engine's 285 ponies are a perfect match for the Lincoln's mission statement, which is to expertly haul the kids and maybe a hatchful of soccer balls around town without ever feeling like it's straining to complete the task. A surprise snowstorm during my time with the MKC also demonstrated the surefootedness of the crossover's all-wheel drive system, which performed admirably despite the vehicle not being outfitted with winter tires.
Another pleasant aspect of motoring around in the 2015 Lincoln MKC has to do with the accommodating demeanor of its suspension system. Not quite as buttoned-down as the base Lexus NX, but certainly more compliant than the rough-riding NX F Sport, Lincoln's answer to the compact crossover question is a pleasure to drive long distances and is just nimble enough to pick through urban traffic without feeling an excess of body movement while abruptly changing lanes. Credit goes to the vehicle's adaptive suspension system in artfully absorbing potholes and sudden shifts in direction.
It starts with the MKC's 2.3-liter power plant. Although I very much enjoyed driving the 2.0-liter EcoBoost in the similarly-sized Escape, there's no question that the additional grunt offered by the larger turbo four goes a long way towards widening of the (crucial) performance gap between the two vehicles. The EcoBoosted engine's 285 ponies are a perfect match for the Lincoln's mission statement, which is to expertly haul the kids and maybe a hatchful of soccer balls around town without ever feeling like it's straining to complete the task. A surprise snowstorm during my time with the MKC also demonstrated the surefootedness of the crossover's all-wheel drive system, which performed admirably despite the vehicle not being outfitted with winter tires.
Another pleasant aspect of motoring around in the 2015 Lincoln MKC has to do with the accommodating demeanor of its suspension system. Not quite as buttoned-down as the base Lexus NX, but certainly more compliant than the rough-riding NX F Sport, Lincoln's answer to the compact crossover question is a pleasure to drive long distances and is just nimble enough to pick through urban traffic without feeling an excess of body movement while abruptly changing lanes. Credit goes to the vehicle's adaptive suspension system in artfully absorbing potholes and sudden shifts in direction.
Final Thoughts
To build a strong foundation,
you've got to start at the bottom and work your way up. The 2015 MKC
gives the brand a fighting chance to persuade entry-level luxury buyers
to get behind the wheel of a Lincoln product and begin spreading the
good word about the crossover's many positive attributes. The key for
Lincoln will be to ensure that the follow-up to the MKC - be it a sedan,
a crossover, or an SUV - continues to walk the same path of building a
separate identity outside of Ford's seemingly inescapable product
development reach.
Small crossovers are hot right now, and the Lincoln MKC is as good as any similarly-priced competitor aimed at the wallets of young families who's outgrown their four-door daily drivers. While that might seem like faint praise, the style, power, and comfort embodied by the MKC indicates that the glimmer of hope that was last year's re-designed MKZ sedan could eventually break into a promising dawn for the wayward brand.
Small crossovers are hot right now, and the Lincoln MKC is as good as any similarly-priced competitor aimed at the wallets of young families who's outgrown their four-door daily drivers. While that might seem like faint praise, the style, power, and comfort embodied by the MKC indicates that the glimmer of hope that was last year's re-designed MKZ sedan could eventually break into a promising dawn for the wayward brand.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Great-looking styling.
- Comfortable, high-end interior.
- Available all-wheel drive.
- Excellent power from 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine.
- Cargo area smaller than it really should be.
- Options can easily add $10,000 to the MKC's starting price.
- Real-world fuel mileage for 2.3-liter engine yet to be established.
- Back seat can feel small for taller individuals.