2018 Lincoln MKC Review

Name: 2018 Lincoln MKC Review
Brand: Lincoln

Price Range: $15,000 - $21,990

2018 Lincoln MKC Select 4dr SUV Exterior

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Edmunds' Expert Review

byCalvin Kim^{Vehicle Test Engineer
Calvin Kim is an automotive journalist at Edmunds.}

Pros

More standard features than many of its competitors
Comfortable and quiet ride on the highway

Cons

Less room in the back seat and cargo area compared to many competitors
Some common driver safety aids only available on the top trim levels
Slower-than-average acceleration from either of its available engines
Some interior materials look cheap considering the price point

What’s new

For 2018, the MKC receives Lincoln Connect, Lincoln's 4G Wi-Fi hotspot system, added standard to all trims. Premiere models receive four-way power lumbar control on the driver seat, while both front seats benefit from the power lumbar on Select trims and higher.

Vehicle overview

The Lincoln MKC likely doesn't come first to mind for a lot of shoppers. It's only been out for a few years, and it's only recently that Lincoln has been making more of an effort to raise the quality of its vehicles and perceived brand cachet. But take a look and you could very well be impressed with what Lincoln has cooked up.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2018 Lincoln MKC Premiere 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.79 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$196/mo

$157/mo

Avg. Compact SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

The basics are certainly covered well in the 2018 MKC. It offers a quiet cabin, a smooth ride quality and extensive list of standard features. The MKC is less expensive than many rival crossovers, too. Comfortable and affordable — for a lot of crossover SUV shoppers, that's going to be an appealing combination.

Dig deeper, however, and you'll find the MKC isn't as polished as some rival crossovers. The MKC's back seat and cargo area are small, and some of the interior materials don't look or feel very high-quality. Performance is a little disappointing even though the MKC's power output looks good on the spec sheet. We're also disappointed that Lincoln restricts the availability of the MKC's advanced driver aids, such as forward collision warning and mitigation, to the most expensive trim levels.

As such, our opinion of the 2018 Lincoln MKC is mixed. It's certainly likable, but we recommend shopping around some before making a final decision.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

7.3 / 10

The 2018 Lincoln MKC is priced competitively, rides comfortably on the highway and is plenty quiet. As such, it's a solid choice for a small luxury crossover SUV, but know that there are better choices if interior room or performance are priorities.

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2016 Lincoln MKC Reserve (turbo 2.3L inline-4 | 6-speed automatic | AWD)

Scorecard

Overall	7.3 / 10
Driving	6.5
Comfort	8.0
Interior	7.0
Utility	7.5

Driving

6.5

Equipped with the optional 2.3-liter engine, our MKC Reserve AWD had no trouble zipping around town or keeping up with traffic. Still, for an upgraded engine, the 2.3 doesn't have much sauce at higher speeds. Handling is also subpar, but the compact MKC is a natural fit for urban life.

Acceleration

7.0

The 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine is rated at a healthy 285 hp, but it needs 7.2 seconds to hit 60 mph. A smooth-shifting six-speed automatic helps its cause, yet the last Audi Q5 2.0T we tested (220 hp) hit 60 in 6.7 seconds.

Braking

6.0

This MKC Reserve stopped from 60 mph in 119 feet, a strong showing for the segment. We're not high on the real-world brake feel, however. The pedal is oddly touchy on initial application, and some may find it overly soft.

Steering

6.5

Quick initial steering response gives the MKC a reactive, almost darty feel. Not much road-surface feedback finds its way to your fingers, but isolation is more the point in this class anyway. Effort levels feel natural.

Handling

6.0

The MKC leans significantly when you push it through a corner, lacking the poise and composure of most competitors, even with the suspension in its sportiest mode. In the city, the MKC's modest dimensions are a boon in tight spots.

Drivability

6.5

Between the jumpy gas pedal, touchy brakes and eager steering, the MKC can feel a little too responsive in mundane maneuvers. The generous turbocharged torque makes quick work of most challenges, though. It's a pleasant SUV to pilot.

Comfort

8.0

This is the name of the MKC's game. Cushy front seats, an exceptionally plush ride and a generally quiet cabin add up to a satisfyingly comfortable experience. Those front seats are also oddly narrow, though, and sometimes the tires can be noisy over certain surfaces.

Seat comfort

6.5

Front seats are noticeably less firm than the German and Japanese norm, but still supportive. The seats themselves are surprisingly narrow, and the cushions are quite short. Rear-seat cushions feel a bit lumpy, but the seatbacks recline.

Ride comfort

8.5

The MKC's adaptive suspension is a bit choppy around town on its firmest setting, but Normal mode is a nice compromise, while Comfort is so soft and forgiving that it borders on floaty — in a fun way. The well-cushioned seats help, too.

Noise & vibration

8.0

Interior noise levels are remarkably low for the segment. The turbo engine is never intrusive, and only moderate wind noise is perceptible at highway speeds. The tires can be noisy, though, depending on the surface quality.

Interior

7.0

Lincoln went with a vertical stack of buttons for the transmission, which frees up space between the seats. A natural-feeling step-in height eases access for front occupants, but backseat space is tight.

Ease of use

7.5

Sync 3 offers a large, brightly rendered touchscreen with a horizontal function menu at the bottom and user-friendly virtual buttons that respond quickly. Climate controls are small but work well.

Getting in/getting out

7.5

It's a cinch to mount or dismount up front, thanks to a generous "hip point" that requires little adjustment from your standing posture. Smallish rear doors open wide, but the small openings aren't as generous as others in the segment

Roominess

6.0

Front headroom is adequate, but legroom may be lacking if you've got a long inseam. Door cutouts give good elbow room. Thoughtful cutout on the center console keeps the driver's right knee from rubbing. Rear head- and legroom are tight.

Visibility

7.0

Windshield pillars aren't overly restrictive but windows all around are generally on the short side. As with most SUVs in the segment, thick rear pillars seriously hamper view. A backup camera and parking sensors come standard.

Quality

7.5

The open-pore wood trim is gorgeous, and there's no shortage of soft-touch inserts and stitched accents. But downmarket touches remain, including some uneven panel gaps and the front bin's chintzy door. This MKC also had a persistently creaky driver seat.

Utility

7.5

Decent-size front storage bin ahead of the shifter with security door. Huge front center armrest bin. Door pockets adequately sized. Humble cargo area holds 25.2 cubic feet or 53.1 cubic feet with rear seatbacks folded (no cargo-area levers).

Technology

Technology is one of the MKZ's strong points. The Sync 3 is easy to use and quick to respond. Voice controls are easy to learn, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard. Avoid splurging for the optional 14-speaker stereo, though; it isn't as impressive as we hoped.

Compare 2018 Lincoln MKC trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2018 Lincoln MKC models

The 2018 Lincoln MKC is a five-passenger compact luxury SUV available in four trims/equipment groups. The base trim, Premiere, still offers competitive technology features. The Select trim adds convenience features, while Reserve and Black Label increase luxury and post-sales support. Standard on all trims is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (240 horsepower, 270 pound-feet of torque) mated to a six-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is optional, as is a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder (285 hp, 305 lb-ft) that is available only on Select, Reserve and Black Label trims.

Standard equipment highlights on the MKC Premiere include 18-inch wheels, automatic xenon headlights, a power liftgate, heated mirrors, rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, keyless ignition and entry, remote start, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, heated power-adjustable front seats (eight-way driver seat with four-way lumbar control, and four-way passenger), driver-seat memory functions, and a 60/40-split reclining and folding back seat. Standard technology features include the Sync 3 infotainment interface, an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, Lincoln Connect (with 4G LTE and Wi-Fi hotspot), two USB ports and a nine-speaker sound system with satellite radio.

The MKC Select includes auto-dimming and power-folding mirrors, an eight-way power passenger seat, a power-adjustable steering wheel, ambient interior light, a cargo cover and upgraded leather on the seats and steering wheel. Options include a panoramic sunroof and the Select Plus package (a navigation system and a blind-spot warning system).

The MKC Reserve has those Select options and a hands-free liftgate, ventilated front seats and an onboard modem that allows for remote functions. Nineteen- and 20-inch wheels are also available.

The MKC Black Label adds to the Reserve equipment 19-inch wheels, adaptive suspension dampers (optional on Select and Reserve), upgraded leather upholstery, extended leather interior trim, a simulated suede headliner, unique exterior and interior trim, and special color choices.

The Select, Reserve and Black Label can also be equipped with an optional 14-speaker THX II sound system and the Climate package (heated rear seats and steering wheel, automatic high beams, automatic wipers and a wiper de-icer).

The Reserve and Black Label can be equipped with the Technology package, which adds adaptive cruise control, a forward collision warning and mitigation system, lane departure warning and intervention, and an automatic parking system.

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4.5/5Excellent

#3 out of 18 among Luxury Compact SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Lincoln MKC from 2008-2022.}

$499/yr

vs. $559/yr
for Average Luxury Compact SUV

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.5x/yr

vs. 1.23x/yr
for Average Luxury Compact SUV

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

7.3%

vs. 8.6%
for Average Luxury Compact SUV

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2018 Lincoln MKC.

5 (57%)

4 (15%)

3 (7%)

2 (5%)

1 (16%)

3.9

61 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Blows away the BMW X3

MAC, 04/07/2017

2017 Lincoln MKC Reserve 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

I drove and priced BMW,MB, Lexus and more. I was about to buy the X3 when I took the MKC for a spin. OMG - love this SUV beyond comfort and great ride.

Gives BMW, Audi, Lexus a run for their money

Stan Man the Lincoln Fan, 01/30/2018

2017 Lincoln MKC Reserve 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

My husband and I bought our MKC to replace his rapidly aging luxury car, which gracefully lived a long, garage-kept life for 15+ years. Since the MKC's were released, my husband had his eye on them... he loved the exterior styling. We considered the BMW X3, Audi Q3 and Lexus NX, and were completely and pleasantly surprised when we test drove the MKC. Official reviews touted that the MKC …

Great Addition to the Lincoln Line

Charles W, 01/19/2017

2017 Lincoln MKC Reserve 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

As another reviewer's title says, "This is not your grandpa's Lincoln." I thought that when I first test drove one, and I would have used the title here if it hadn't already been used. I have been a Ford product owner since my first new car, and this is my eighth new car. I traded in my 2002 Eddie Bauer Explorer with almost 250,000 miles on it for the MKC. I wanted something a bit … smaller with better gas mileage while offering quality. I will say that I always said I'd never spend more than $35,000 on a car, but the MKC Reserve certainly stickered for substantially more. However, I believe that for the price and from a comparison standpoint, the MSRP is not out of line. The fit and finish on the vehicle is outstanding, and I've had a number of compliments on the car from passersby. People really like to comment on my kicking under the rear to open the rear hatch. People also love the welcome lighting in the car. I've had the car for one year and 4 months, and I can honestly say it has exceeded my expectations. I've read reviews from individuals and ratings companies (e.g., magazine editors) that the mileage estimates are way off. I have to say that is not my experience. Other ratings I've seen in some reviewers were actually lower than I expected. At speeds from 65 to 73 on the highway, I've actually hit 34+ mpg. That's better than the highway mpg on the window sticker. So, this is definitely good mileage. And with over 19,000 miles on the car now, the average mileage since I've owned it has averaged 24.6 miles. I love BLIS, adaptive cruise control, the heated and cooled seats (cooled are going to be very important in the southern heat), the My Lincoln app, extremely comfortable seats, active park assist and other options. I joke that I actually had to read the manual to learn how to use the car. Oh, and I can't forget the push button start and remote functions, including starting from my phone. And speaking of the phone, my iPhone works great with SYNC 3. Bluetooth works well, voice recognition is great, and the nav system is handy - I had no desire to get the nav system, but it came with the package, and I actually use it to see what traffic is like when going to and from work. And the THX optional sound system is outstanding - it's a new way to listen to my music! After 1 year and 4 months and 19,000 miles, I still find no negative issues with the car. Burgundy velvet with the ebony interior is a great combination, too.

Loving my Lincoln!

L D Crowell, 08/03/2018

2018 Lincoln MKC Reserve 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

Car is comfortable, solid and feel safe in it. MPG not great....I only have 500 miles on it and average 18.3, but I will see how it does when it is broken in a bit at 2000 miles. More than makes up for MPG is the feeling of safety from the technology that helps you drive, the overall power of the car, and the easy handling to get out of tough spots. Never had a Lincoln before this car …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2018 Lincoln MKC, so we've included reviews for other years of the MKC since its last redesign.

See all 61 reviews of the Lincoln MKC

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2018 MKC Highlights

Trim:

Premiere

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$33,355
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$196/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	25.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the MKC models:

Active Noise Control: Detects and cancels unwanted noise inside the cabin.
Active Park Assist: Helps drivers park and pull out of parallel-parking spots.
Blind-Spot Detection: Warns you if a vehicle or pedestrian is in your blind spot with a warning in the side-view mirror.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover16.4%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Not Tested
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Not Tested

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2018 Lincoln MKC Review

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Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Vehicle overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2018 Lincoln MKC Premiere 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.79 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

Trim tested

Scorecard

Driving

Acceleration

Braking

Steering

Handling

Drivability

Comfort

Seat comfort

Ride comfort

Noise & vibration

Interior

Ease of use

Getting in/getting out

Roominess

Visibility

Quality

Utility

Technology

Which MKC does Edmunds recommend?

2018 Lincoln MKC models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Blows away the BMW X3

Gives BMW, Audi, Lexus a run for their money

Great Addition to the Lincoln Line

Loving my Lincoln!

2018 MKC Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2018 Lincoln MKC Premiere 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.79 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}