More standard features than many of its competitors
Comfortable and quiet ride on the highway
Cons
Smaller 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 available engine
Some interior materials look cheap considering the price point
What's new
All-new front fascia
Part of the first MKC generation introduced for 2015
The 2019 Lincoln MKC has a new grille that matches the one seen on brand's latest vehicles such as the Continental and Navigator. It's an improvement and gives the MKC a classier look. But the rest of the 2019 MKC is unchanged, which means it has some issues that prevent it from being a top contender in the premium crossover SUV segment.
CarMax values transparency and wants you to love your next car, not settle on it. Certain vehicles may have unrepaired safety recalls. Check nhtsa.gov...
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: Yes
Features and Specs:
21 Combined MPG (19 City/25 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 5LMTJ3DH4KUL09308 Stock: 26838705 Certified Pre-Owned: No
CarMax values transparency and wants you to love your next car, not settle on it. Certain vehicles may have unrepaired safety recalls. Check nhtsa.gov...
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 (20 City/27 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 5LMCJ3C97KUL45164 Stock: 27373949 Certified Pre-Owned: No
Certainly, the MKC is a comfortable place for long drives thanks to its quiet interior, plentiful features and composed ride. Another high point is the Sync 3 infotainment system, which is easy to use and includes robust smartphone integration systems. But you might find the MKC's instrument panel design to be dated and not what you expect from a luxury SUV. Plus, interior space — in particular, the rear seat and cargo volume — are lacking for this class.
We also aren't overly impressed by the MKC's engines or availability of the latest driver safety aids. As such, the 2019 MKC just doesn't hold as much appeal as newer luxury SUV choices such as the Acura RDX and the BMW X3.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
7.3 / 10
The 2019 Lincoln MKC crossover gets a new grille that matches the latest grille design used on Lincoln's other vehicles. But the rest of the MKC is unchanged. While praiseworthy aspects such as its comfortable ride, quiet interior, and Sync 3 infotainment system remain, the 2019 updates don't address the MKC's lack of interior space and performance.
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 theLincoln 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-liter 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 220-hp Audi Q5 2.0T we tested 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. But we're not high on the real-world brake feel. The pedal is oddly touchy on initial application, and some may find it overly soft.
Steering
6.5
The 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. The steering 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 adaptive suspension in its sportiest mode.
Drivability
6.5
Between the jumpy gas pedal, touchy brakes and eager steering, the MKC can feel a little too responsive in mundane maneuvers. But the generous turbocharged torque makes quick work of most challenges. It's a pleasant SUV to pilot.
Comfort
8.0
This is the name of the MKC's game. The 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
The front seats are noticeably less firm than the German and Japanese norm, but they are supportive. The seats themselves are surprisingly narrow, and the cushions are quite short. The rear seat cushions feel a bit lumpy, but the seatbacks recline.
Ride comfort
8.5
The MKC's adaptive suspension is a little choppy around town on its firmest setting. 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
The 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
The Sync 3 infotainment system offers a large, brightly rendered touchscreen with a horizontal function menu at the bottom and user-friendly virtual buttons that respond quickly. The 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 just-right seat height that requires little adjustment from your standing posture. The smallish rear doors open wide, but the small openings aren't as generous as others in the segment.
Roominess
6.0
The front headroom is adequate, but legroom may be lacking if you've got a long inseam. The door cutouts give good elbow room. The thoughtful cutout on the center console keeps the driver's right knee from rubbing against it. Rear head- and legroom are tight.
Visibility
7.0
The windshield pillars aren't overly restrictive, but the windows all around are generally on the short side. As with most SUVs in the segment, the thick rear pillars seriously hamper the 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's seat.
Utility
7.5
There's a decent-size front storage bin ahead of the shifter with a security door. The front center armrest bin is huge. The door pockets are an adequate size. The humble cargo area holds 25.2 cubic feet or 53.1 cubic feet with the rear seatbacks folded (no cargo-area levers).
Technology
Technology is one of the MKZ's strong points. The Sync 3 infotainment system is easy to use and quick to respond. The voice controls are easy to learn, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard. Avoid splurging for the optional 14-speaker stereo; it isn't as impressive as we hoped.
Which MKC does Edmunds recommend?
Thanks to its excellent standard features, the MKC Select delivers a lot of value for the price. But if you want the MKC at its best you'll want to get a Reserve. It comes with some desirable extras such as a panoramic sunroof and a hands-free liftgate. It also gives you the option for the upgraded engine. Go with all-wheel drive to get the adaptive suspension, which helps improve both the MKC's ride quality and handling.
Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart
2019 Lincoln MKC models
The 2019 Lincoln MKC is available in four trim levels. The base trim offers competitive technology features, while the Select trim adds more convenience features. The pricier Reserve and Black Label increase the luxury through additional standard features and exclusive interior designs.
Standard on all trims is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (245 horsepower, 275 pound-feet of torque) mated to a six-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is optional and comes bundled with adaptive suspension dampers. Also optional for the Reserve and the Black Label is a more powerful turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine (285 hp, 305 lb-ft). Picking this engine requires getting all-wheel drive.
Standard equipment highlights on the base MKCinclude 18-inch wheels, automatic LED 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, power-adjustable and heated front seats, 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 a 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, a power-adjustable passenger seat, a power-adjustable steering wheel, ambient interior lighting, a cargo cover and upgraded leather upholstery. Options include a panoramic sunroof and the Select Plus package, which adds a navigation system and a blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert.
The MKC Reserve has those Select options plus a hands-free liftgate and ventilated front seats. Nineteen- and 20-inch wheels are also available.
The MKC Black Label adds to the Reserve equipment with 19-inch wheels, the adaptive suspension dampers, upgraded leather upholstery, extended leather interior trim, a simulated suede headliner, unique exterior and interior trim, and special color choices. The Black Label also comes with a few extra concierge-style perks.
Select, Reserve, and Black Label models can be equipped with a Climate package, which adds heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel, automatic high beams, automatic wipers and a wiper de-icer. An optional 14-speaker THX II sound system and a Technology package — which adds adaptive cruise control, a forward collision warning and mitigation system, lane departure warning and intervention, and an automatic parking system — are only available on the Reserve and the Black Label.
The 2019 Lincoln MKC has a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic warranty and 1 recall. 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
powered by RepairPal
Recalls
1 recall 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:
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.
We had a 2016 MKC Select and decided to turn it in, after 3 years, on a 2019 MKC Base.
We enjoyed our 2016 and we really loved the new fascia on the 2019.
The 2019 handles much better than the 2016 and has an extremely quiet cabin. We love not having a shifter in the console, memory seats and SYNC3. This SUV has a lot of pep with the standard engine and is easy on the mountain … roads, where we live.
We did not experience any issues with our 2016 over the 36,000 miles we owned it.
If you are looking for a solid, compact SUV, they we would recommend the 2019 MKC.
Will never drive another vehicle
5 out of 5 stars
Amy, 06/29/2019
2019 Lincoln MKC Reserve 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
I test drove a MKC and loved it, but It was out of my price point... I test drove 20+ other cars and even came one signature away from another car... Nothing compared to the comfort and smooth driving, I ended up not caring about price points and went with what felt right... And I don’t regret a thing!! I absolutely love my MKC!!!
comfort and affordability
5 out of 5 stars
matteo grillo, 08/29/2019
2019 Lincoln MKC Select 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
I was also considering a Subaru Outback equipped with the same features except for all-wheel drive which is unnecessary in my area Murrells Inlet SC. The ride of Subaru can not compare in comfort, power, or appearance inside or out. However, they do have an outstanding safety rating. Lincoln also offers a pick-up and drop off your vehicle for servicing or give you a loaner of … equallivant value. I am 100% happy with my decision.
Smooth and quiet
4 out of 5 stars
Ol Ned, 08/12/2019
2019 Lincoln MKC Select 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
4 months and 6000 miles so far and still pleased with the 2019 MKC select. Like the button shifter, makes old stick shifters seem awkward. The 2.0 turbo engine is quite peppy and quiet. This car shifts, accelerates and responds much better if you don't stomp hard on the gas - plenty of power. I don't like the Navigation much though, not nearly as useful as the Garmin system in my Jeep. … Blind spot and cross-traffic alert feature is great. Rear cargo area a little compact for an SUV, but as much space as any car trunk. It works great for us. Back seat roomy enough, we've had no complaints from passengers.
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Scorecard
