Lincoln’s first foray into the compact luxury crossover mark has been a success for the brand; it's the brand's most popular vehicle, and it also brought new and younger customers into dealerships. Right-sized, nicely appointed, stylish, and affordable, the MKC is exactly the sort of vehicle that Lincoln needed in its lineup for the longest time.
Though Lincoln is in the process of phasing out its winged grille styling treatment for a more regal look (see the new Continental and MKZ), the flowing lines work well on the MKC. For those turned off by the angular Lexus NX, and have tired from the ubiquity of BMW X3s and Audi Q5s, the MKC makes for an interesting choice. A couple of new colours are available to highlight the MKC’s exterior design for 2017 – Magnetic (gray) and White Gold. Also new is Black Diamond, but it is reserved exclusively for the Reserve trim.
Though the MKC shares its underpinnings with the Ford Escape, this is no bad thing. Its electric power steering is quick to react, it features standard torque vectoring, and with gets standard adaptive dampers to offer a controlled yet comfortable ride. While the MKC may not be an overtly sporty vehicle, the MKC feels more European than other Lincolns.
The standard engine on the MKC is a 2.0-litre turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder which produces 240 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. It’s the same engine that’s featured in the top-of-the-line Ford Escape. New this year, the engine receives an idle-stop system, a feature which many of its European rivals offer. Included in vehicles with the Technology Package, urban consumption drops from 12.4 L/100 km to 12.3. On the other hand, the 2017 model uses more fuel on the highway – 9.3, up from 9.0.
The optional powerplant, a 2.3-litre turbo’d four-cylinder, develops 280 horsepower and 305 lb-ft of torque. This engine is unavailable in the Escape but is sourced from another Ford product, the Mustang. This engine offers effortless passing power, and the ability to tow up to 1,360 kg (3,000 lbs), but is available only on the top-of-the-line Reserve trim level.
Both the 2.0 and 2.3 feature a six-speed automatic transmission controlled by push-button switches and standard all-wheel drive. Active noise cancellation comes standard, too, as does a new auto-hold feature for the electronic parking brake.
Speaking of trims, for 2017, Lincoln has culled the base Premier model, which lacked some luxury features but offered a starting price of less than $48,000. Instead, the MKC now kicks off with the Select trim. Equipment such as 10-way power front seats, proximity key with push-button start, and a power liftgate all come standard. MKCs also receive Lincoln's approach detection with illuminated logo welcome mat, ultra-soft Bridge of Weir leather upholstery, a nine-speaker premium sound system, and the Sync3 infotainment system. High-tech features like radar cruise control, forward collision warning with auto-brake, lane-keeping assist, and a parking assistant are optional.
With the new trim structure, the MKC now starts at $43,000, with the Reserve selling for $48,000.
This vehicle has not yet been reviewed
