2018 Lincoln MKC 2.3L 6AT AWD (285 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Lincoln updated the MKC lineup for the 2018 model year, giving its compact luxury crossover a new look, an improved infotainment unit, and better safety systems that helped distracted drivers avoid trouble.

Four years after the model’s introduction in the carmaker’s lineup, the 2019 Lincoln MKC received a facelifted version, which was unveiled in the summer of 2018. The luxury American automaker built the compact crossover based on the same Ford Global C platform used by the Kuga but didn’t share any body panel with its sibling. Furthermore, the MKC had a luxurious cabin dominated by rich wood and expensive leather that customers enjoyed. Along with the updated version, Lincoln also changed the vehicle grades. In addition to the three trim levels, the MKC, the MKC Select, and the MKC Reserved, the automaker added three themes for the newly introduced Black Label series, enhancing personalization and adding some extra benefits for the owners.

One of the most significant changes was the front fascia. The 2019 Lincoln MKC received the automaker’s new design language, which was introduced along with the 2015 MKS Concept car. Instead of twin-wing styling, it featured a reversed trapezoidal grille with a chrome chain-link-like pattern. In addition, the headlights were available with LED daytime running lights that underlined them. However, even if the wrapped-around plastic bumper was new, it had an almost identical design.

From its profile, the 2019 Lincoln MKC boasted six new wheel options, sized between 18 and 20 inches. The base version came with painted aluminum wheels. At the same time, the MKC Reserve was available with ultra-bright machined aluminum with ebony-painted spokes. Along with the updated version, the compact luxury crossover lost one of the two black color options. However, one of the most important updates was for the safety systems. Lincoln added a plethora of them, including pre-collision assistance with pedestrian detection, which also came with automatic emergency braking. At the back, the refreshed vehicle sported redesigned LED taillights with a jewel-like effect.

One of the main reasons customers would choose a compact luxury crossover instead of its lesser-equipped sibling, the Kuga in this case, was the well-garnished interior. While the entry-level MKC still had some hard-plastic areas, like its Ford-badged brother, the rest of the range was fitted with rich materials unavailable for the Kuga. For the 2019 model year, the MKC came with one aluminum trim and three instead of two wood grains as its predecessor. The newly introduced Ebony Ash Swirl created a darker interior, which was more appropriate for the Ebony black leather. However, the most significant improvement was for the infotainment unit. It was still based on the SYNC 3 system but enhanced with the addition of the Waze, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. The new unit also included a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot that could host up to 10 devices.

Lincoln didn’t consider that the drivetrain needed some upgrades, so it left the same inline-four turbocharged engines in place. The base model came with a 2.0-liter unit, while a 2.3-liter powerplant was available at extra cost. Both versions were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission that sent the power to the front wheels. However, an intelligent all-wheel drive system was available for those who wanted more peace of mind.