2018 Lincoln MKT Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

First unveiled in 2010, the MKT became Lincoln's second crossover vehicle. Now well into its first generation, the all-new 2018 Lincoln MKT might fall victim to the same low sales numbers that have plagued the lineup since 2014. However, the 2018 Lincoln MKT has a lot to offer, including a powerful optional turbocharged V6 engine.

What's New for 2018?

The only noticeable changes that were made to the 2018 Lincoln MKT are that the base trim is called the Premiere trim and the EcoBoost is now known as the Reserve trim.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2018 Lincoln MKT – The Pros

1. Numerous Standard Safety Features

One of the biggest reasons to buy the 2018 Lincoln MKT its lengthy list of standard safety features. The Premium trim comes with almost all of the same standard safety features found on the Reserve, with the exception of the blind spot monitoring accident avoidance system. A post-collision safety system, self-leveling headlights, and tire pressure monitoring are just a few of the many standard safety features you will find on both trim levels.

2. The Optional Turbocharged V6 Engine

Since the Premiere's engine is a bit underwhelming, the Reserve's 3.5-L turbocharged V6 engine is the better option. It gets better acceleration than the base engine and feels a bit sportier. It generates 365 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque, which is a significant improvement over the Premiere's 303 hp and 278 lb-ft of torque. The Reserve is better able to get up to speed on the highway and pass other vehicles.

3. The Sync 3 Infotainment System

The Sync 3 is probably one of the best infotainment systems on the market today. It is extremely user-friendly as its design makes sense. Also, it isn't overly touchy or almost nonresponsive, which is the case with systems installed by other automakers.

4. Adaptive Suspension on the Reserve

Along with the better engine option, the Reserve trim also comes with adaptive suspension, which slaps all-wheel drive onto the vehicle. The steering and handling are also vastly better with the adaptive suspension, inspiring more driver confidence as the vehicle beautifully navigates turns and bumps.

5. Good Ride Quality

Both trims produce a good ride quality, but the Reserve's ride quality is definitely superior. The adaptive suspension makes driving feel fluid and relaxing, and the tires absorb shocks in the road rather well. You also won't get a ton of road noise, as the cabin is well-insulated.

6. Comfortable Seats

Seats are well-bolstered and provide plenty of hip room up front. Driver and front passenger seats are both 8-way adjustable, making it easy to find a comfortable position. The second-row is spacious enough and has seats that provide ample support.

7. Optional Second-Row Captain's Chairs

If you don't mind knocking your total passenger capacity down by one, get the optional second-row captain's chairs. These chairs are cooled and heated, providing additional comfort during very hot or very cool weather. They also grant a little bit more space in the vehicle, which is a bonus.

8. Wood Paneling

Although the interior looks dated, the wood paneling looks nice and reminds you that this is a luxury vehicle. It looks best when paired with one of the two lighter interior colors, but not so much with the black interior.

9. Many Controls on the Steering Wheel

Many controls are conveniently located on the steering wheel. They are all clearly marked and work well. This allows the driver to keep their hands on the steering wheel versus trying to reach the center stack to adjust the controls.

10. A Lot of Adjustability

As previously mentioned, the seats up front can easily be adjusted. The pedals are also adjustable, and the tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel makes it even easier for the driver to find a suitable driving position.

 

Reasons Not to Buy a 2018 Lincoln MKT – The Cons

1. Base Trim Isn't Very Exciting

Overall, the Premiere just isn't that enthralling. Its engine is subpar and sluggish, and the suspension lacks the refinement found in the Reserve's adaptive suspension. Also, it only gets slightly better gas mileage than the Reserve, and fuel economy on either vehicle isn't anything to be impressed by.

2. Lack of Head Space

The 2018 Lincoln MKT has a sloping roofline, which looks cool on the outside but subtracts way too much headspace from the third-row occupants inside of the vehicle. This makes the third-row feel cramped and kind of pointless to have since only small children can comfortably fit back there.

3. Interior Seems Outdated

Much like the Ford Flex that the MKT is based on, the interior is seriously antiquated and boring, especially for a luxury SUV. The center console looks sloppy and confusing, like something you would expect on an older model.

4. Minimal Cargo Space

Cargo space is seriously lacking. With all seats in place, there are only 17.9 cubic feet of cargo space. This can be maximized to 75.9 cubic feet of space with the second- and third-row folded down, but even this lags behind the competition. For looking massive on the outside, there just isn't enough space on the inside.

How it stacks up to the competition:

2018 Lincoln MKT vs. 2018 Volvo XC90

The 2018 Volvo XC90 has a much more refined interior style, is remarkably spacious, and offers many of the same standard safety features as the MKT. However, its ride quality suffers, and some of the controls found on the touchscreen display can be difficult for many drivers to use.

2018 Lincoln MKT vs. 2018 Buick Enclave

The 2018 Buick Enclave is much more generous than the MKT when it comes to interior space. It, too, offers a smooth and elegant ride quality that reminds you that it is a luxury vehicle. Also, the Enclave comes loaded with standard features. The biggest drawback is that a few of the most desirable advanced safety features only come on the highest trim level, which is pretty pricey.

Conclusion

Lincoln will have to make some major changes to the MKT if it wants to keep pace with the competition and boost its stagnant sales. The 2018 Lincoln MKT has some pretty good features loaded onto it, and the Reserve has a powertrain that performs well. However, it doesn't look as luxurious as its competitors, and the lack of interior space could be reason enough for some potential customers to consider other options.