2018 Lincoln MKC Review

Name: 2018 Lincoln MKC
Brand: Lincoln

Price Range: $12,890 - $23,990

Read full review See all features & specs

Price & Payment

Select year

Average price: $18,733

Min$

Max$

See listings

Appraise My 2018 Lincoln MKC

Lincoln MKC model years

Lincoln MKC for Sale

Edmunds' Expert Review

by Calvin Kim

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.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

19 listings

Sort by:

New Listing
2018 Lincoln MKC
Reserve 4dr SUV
$18,998
- 62,136 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, corporate fleet vehicle
- 5 Seats
- CarMax Akron (251 mi away)
- Delivery available*
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
Close
Located in Akron, OH
Wanna drive? CarMax puts you in the driver's seat-and that includes transparency. Certain cars may have unrepaired safety recalls, so check nhtsa.gov/...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
Listing Information:
VIN: 5LMTJ3DH8JUL21184
Stock: 27699918
Certified Pre-Owned: No
2018 Lincoln MKC
Reserve 4dr SUV
$19,990
fair price
- 41,661 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 5 Seats, 21 City / 28 Hwy MPG
- Carvana - Dallas (1,159 mi away)
- Home delivery*
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
Close
Located in Dallas, TX
At Carvana, we go miles beyond the extra mile. That's why we provide you with a convenient, fast, and hassle-free car buying experience that puts you ...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
23 Combined MPG (21 City/28 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 5LMCJ3C99JUL31118
Stock: 2004356338
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 12-20-2025

See all for sale

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

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.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$193/mo

$154/mo

Avg. Compact SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

See Edmunds pricing data

Has Your Car's Value Changed?

Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.

Year

Make

Model

See pricing history

Reliability

The 2018 Lincoln MKC has a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic warranty and 4 recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5, ranks it #3 out of 18 among Luxury Compact SUVs. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

4.5 out of 5 stars4.5/5Excellent

#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

$499/yr

vs. $559/yr
for Average Luxury Compact SUV

Frequency

0.5x/yr

vs. 1.23x/yr
for Average Luxury Compact SUV

Severity

7.3%

vs. 8.6%
for Average Luxury Compact SUV

Recalls

4 recalls found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 25V685000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 25SA4
Manufactured from:: 2021-05-10 to
Number of vehicles affected:: 59006
Defect Description:: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Defect Consequence:: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Corrective Action:: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed October 24, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated February 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.

Recall Number:: 25V572000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 25S89
Manufactured from:: 2018-06-04 to 2018-12-21
Number of vehicles affected:: 1456417
Defect Description:: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Defect Consequence:: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed September 22, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.

Recall Number:: 23V378000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 23S28
Number of vehicles affected:: 142734
Defect Description:: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC vehicles. The battery monitor sensor may short-circuit and overheat, causing a fire in the engine compartment while parked or driving.
Defect Consequence:: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Corrective Action:: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will add an in-line fuse to the battery monitor sensor power circuit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S28.

Recall Number:: 18V104000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 18S04
Manufactured from:: 2017-10-29 to 2017-10-30
Number of vehicles affected:: 88
Defect Description:: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Escape and Lincoln MKC vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with incorrect front brake hoses that may chafe against other components, possibly resulting in a brake fluid leak.
Defect Consequence:: A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake hoses, replacing any that are incorrect, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S04.

Warranty

4 years / 50,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 6 years / 70,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 5 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: unlimited years / unlimited miles
Free maintenance Warranty: 2 years / 24,000 miles

Lincoln MKC Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.0

64 reviews

5(59%)

4(14%)

3(6%)

2(5%)

1(16%)

See all 64 reviews of the Lincoln MKC

Write a vehicle review

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2018 MKC Highlights

Trim:

Premiere

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$33,355
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$193/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

People who viewed this also viewed

Lincoln Nautilus
4.5 average Rating out of 2 reviews.
Starting at $53,995

See Lincoln Nautilus Inventory

Lincoln Aviator
Starting at $56,910

See Lincoln Aviator Inventory

Genesis GV70
4.5 average Rating out of 14 reviews.
Starting at $48,985

See Genesis GV70 Inventory

2018 Lincoln MKC Review

Price & Payment

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Vehicle overview

For sale near Ashburn, VA

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

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

Cost to Drive

Reliability

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

Recalls

Warranty

Lincoln MKC Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2018 MKC Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2018 Lincoln MKC info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Lincoln

Other models

Join Edmunds