2019 Lincoln MKC Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?
A quiet, relaxing ride is what you will get in the new 2019 Lincoln MKC. While power is not this luxury SUV's strong point (as neither engine option is really favorable for drivers who want a lot of get-up-and-go power), the Lincoln MKC offers a subdued ride quality that is destined to attract new customers and bring back long-time Lincoln drivers who are looking to upgrade their vehicles. Although there are plenty of competitors this model year that offer stronger engines and more interior space, the MKC's plush cabin, Sync 3 infotainment system, and easy-to-use nature make it worthy of being considered for a daily driver.
What's New for 2019?
Not a lot has changed from the 2018 line-up of Lincoln MKCs. The most noticeable difference on the new 2019 Lincoln MKC is that the front fascia has been redesigned in order to provide a more upscale and chic look. The Lincoln corporate design on the front fascia is new, placed smack-dab in the center of the grille for extra emphasis. Other than the redesigned front fascia, you can expect to find that almost everything else is the same as what came on the 2018 line-up.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2019 Lincoln MKC – The Pros
1. Plenty of Ride Comfort
Lincoln is known for giving its vehicles quite a bit of comfort, and the 2019 Lincoln MKC is no exception to this rule. In fact, this SUV has some of the most comfortable seats in its class. Long car rides are actually enjoyable thanks to the MKC's well-bolstered seats. Up front and in the rear, there is plenty of support for the spine and thighs despite how narrow the seats seem to be. Also, the seat backs recline, offering an extra level of comfort to this already-plush ride.
2. A Quiet Performance
A sporty performance is not something you will get from the Lincoln MKC, but it more than makes up for this with its well-mannered ride quality. The entire cabin has a muted vibe to it. Wind and road noise does not seep in until you get up to full throttle, and both of the engine options (even the turbo) remain relatively calm. Both the Comfort and Normal modes provide a lot of leisure, and Comfort mode feels appropriately light and airy.
3. The Sync 3 Infotainment System
A lot of auto manufacturers still struggle to make their infotainment systems user-friendly and relatively error-free. While a lot of the competition falls behind on this technological aspect, Lincoln gets it right with the Sync 3 infotainment system. Sync 3 is a voice-activated technological system that allows the driver to issue basic voice commands to access apps and features. The system responds appropriately and quickly to commands, and the touchscreen interface on the digital display is clearly marked, taking the guesswork out of which button performs a certain action.
4. Easy Access Into and Out of the Cabin
Getting into and out of the cabin of the new Lincoln MKC is easy for almost everyone due to the well-thought out design of the seat height up front. Drivers and front seat passengers who struggle with mobility issues will likely find this vehicle easier to access than others. In the rear, space is a bit more limited, but the doors open out wide.
5. Beautiful Wood Trim
Lincoln does not get everything perfect in the cabin of the 2019 Lincoln MKC, but one of the things it absolutely nails is the stunning wooden trim. This type of open-pore wood adds an elevated sense of luxury to the MKC's leather upholstery and abundance of soft-touch pieces. The leather upholstery itself is well-stitched and classy-looking, but it is truly the wooden trim that captures the luxurious vibe inside of the MKC.
6. Plenty of Small Item Storage Spaces
Although, as already stated, space is an issue in the cabin, the Lincoln MKC is riddled with well-designed small item storage spaces to help maximize the vehicle's utility. The storage bin up front has a security door and is large enough to fit various technological devices. The door pockets are also sized for stashing a number of items. The bin in the center arm rest is massive and can hold small purses and tablets.
7. Many Standard Infotainment Features
Quite a few infotainment features come standard on the 2019 Lincoln MKC, which helps to make the vehicle worthy of its price tag. Even the base trim comes with standard smartphone app integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also plays host to an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, two USB ports, a 9-speaker sound system with satellite radio, and the Lincoln Connect feature with 4G LTE and a Wi-Fi hot spot capability. Many competitors will make you buy extra packages or buy higher trim levels just to get some of these features.
8. A Short Stopping Distance
The brakes on the MKC might feel too soft for some drivers, but you can rest assured that they are safe. When tested out, the Lincoln MKC has been able to reach a panic stop going from 60 to 0 mph in just 119 feet. Most vehicles in this class have a much longer stopping distance, which can be a hazard in real-life driving situations where there just is not enough space to make a successfully safe emergency stop.
9. Steering Feels Natural
Steering on the 2019 Lincoln MKC is all about the ability to isolate, not to get the most feedback from the road to the driver. There is a zippy response from the steering, and the feel that it provides is surprisingly natural for a vehicle in this segment. Drivers will not have to worry about putting in extra effort while navigating any type of roadway.
10. The Redesigned Grille
The redesign on the front fascia is rather attractive and gives the Lincoln MKC a more refined look than some of its sportier competitors. The chrome accents on the lower part of the bumper are not intrusive and give the grille a distinct shape. Overall, the new grille resembles what you find on the Lincoln Navigator, and the re-shaped LED headlights add a nice extra bit of flair to the front end.
Reasons Not to Buy a 2019 Lincoln MKC – The Cons
1. Limited Rear Seat and Cargo Space
Unfortunately, one of the biggest setbacks on the 2019 Lincoln MKC is the limited amount of space you get in the rear seats and cargo area. The rear seats are narrow and do not offer much in the way of leg room. Taller adults will find themselves feeling a bit cramped. The cargo area only offers 25.2 cubic feet of space with the rear seats in place. This can only be maxed out to 53.1 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down. Trying to store bulky cargo will be quite the task.
2. Some Driver Aids Are Only Available On the Top Trim Levels
While standard infotainment features come in abundance, driver aids do not. Even the forward collision warning system with automatic emergency braking (a driver aid that comes standard on most newer vehicles) is only to be found as a part of an expensive optional package that has been reserved for some of the higher trim levels. Why Lincoln has decided to leave some of these features out remains a mystery as they are becoming major selling points on the competitors who have standardized them.
3. Low-quality Interior Materials
While many of the interior materials look just fine, some of them appear to be downmarket and look a bit out of place. The door on the bin up front looks a bit tacky, and there are some gaps to be found between different pieces of paneling. There are some moans and groans from inside the cockpit as well, including those that come from the driver's seat.
4. Sluggish Acceleration
Last, but certainly not least, is the noticeably sluggish acceleration that the 2019 Lincoln MKC gets from either of its engine options. The 2.3-L 4-cylinder engine, which is mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission, is rated for 285 hp, which would lead you to think that this powertrain is quite strong and efficient. But you would be mistaken. In fact, it takes this engine over 7 seconds to get from 0 to 60 mph, which is quite slow compared to many of the other SUVs in its class.
How it stacks up to the competition:
2019 Lincoln MKC vs. 2019 Acura RDX
The 2019 Lincoln MKC has some stiff competition from the 2019 Acura RDX. The new RDX gets a much more impressive acceleration from its standard V6 engine, and there is far more leg room in the rear seat thanks to its elevation. Cargo space is also more vast on the RDX than it is on the MKC. However, Acura fails to capture the precision of its infotainment technology the way Lincoln does with the Sync 3 system. Also, the RDX tends to have some interior materials that make it look less luxurious than one would expect.
2019 Lincoln MKC vs. 2019 Infiniti QX50
Another top contender this model year is the 2019 Infinito QX50. The QX50 offers a massive amount of cabin and cargo space, and its ride quality rivals that of the Lincoln MKC for quietude. On the downside, the QX50 has a CVT that struggles to provide steady amounts of power to the vehicle. Also, steering does not have the same natural feel that it does on the MKC.
Conclusion
On the whole, the 2019 Lincoln MKC stands by its generation's repertoire as a well-mannered and comfortable daily driver. It looks mostly luxurious without coming off as being over-the-top. What the MKC lacks in sport and power, it makes up for with plush comfort and an impressively user-friendly infotainment system that is riddled with standard features. Drivers will just have to keep in mind that most driver aids will not come standard.
