2017 Lincoln MKC Road Test and Review

2017 Lincoln MKC exterior front angle ・ Photo by Lincoln

Okay, just to be clear, the 2017 Lincoln MKC is the compact luxury crossover that Matthew McConaughey doesn’t drive—although it certainly has some star power of its own. Indeed, even without the McConaughey-inspired momentum of the Lincoln MKX, and competing in a very hot segment, the MKC grew sales for the second year in a row in 2016. Helping attract customers are highlights like its svelte exterior design, a sumptuous cabin, and a range-topping Black Label trim for ultra-premium personalization. The MKC also provides a pair of EcoBoost engines for powerful yet efficient performance, along with a number of the brand’s best technologies. But equally important is that the increasingly active Lincoln Motor Company has continued to refine the MKC, so that the 2017 edition is another step forward for customers—as you’ll soon discover.

Pricing

The 2017 Lincoln MKC Reserve represents a fairly high trim level for the MKC family, which also includes the Premiere and Select grades below the Reserve model and the Black Label edition above it. With that in mind, the MKC’s MSRP of $39,645, compares to the Premiere at $32,880 and the Select at $35,880; pricing for the MKC Black Label begins at $45,635.

Comparing to the competition is more appropriate. The starting price of the MKC is about $2,400 less expensive than for a Lexus NX. And no, that’s not because the Lincoln is lacking in standard luxuries. Instead, the MKC Premiere provides heated front seats, SYNC 3 infotainment, an 8-inch touchscreen, premium audio, and a rearview camera system right out of the box. The MKC Reserve then raises the luxury bar yet higher.

Photo by Lincoln

Power, Performance and Fuel Efficiency

The standard engine for the 2017 Lincoln MKC Reserve is a turbocharged and direct-injected 2.0-liter 4-cylinder unit that mates to a 6-speed automatic transmission with pushbutton shifting. As a result, the MKC’s modestly sized engine can make a healthy 240 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft. of torque. That output delivers competitive acceleration, allows MKC owners to tow up to 3,000 lb., and comes with EPA fuel-economy ratings of 21 mpg city/28 mpg highway/23 mpg combined.

Stepping up to the 2.3-liter engine—with the same turbo and fuel-injection technologies—dials up extra output: The bigger engine has 285 horsepower, 305 lb.-ft. of torque, and its exclusively linked to intelligent all-wheel drive. Of course, Lincoln engineers didn’t stop there in their quest to ensure the MKC has premium road manners. They also developed the available Lincoln Drive Control system with three-mode continuously controlled suspension damping.

Photo by Lincoln

Exterior Design and Lighting

Customers who crave dramatic design will find exactly that at the front of the 2017 Lincoln MKC Reserve, which wears the brand’s unique split-wing grille. Those wings, in turn, are tipped by the vehicle’s high-intensity discharge headlamps—with LED signature lighting for a further accent. Approach lighting is standard as well. Subtle curves around the wheel openings emphasize a sleek look for Lincoln’s flanks, while the rear of the MKC is enhanced by standard LED taillamps, chrome dual-exhaust tips, and a handsfree power-opening tailgate. Eighteen-inch wheels with a bright machined finish and dark-painted pockets additionally detail the exterior of the MKC, as does another contemporary Lincoln hallmark: a power-opening sunroof large enough to uncover the first and second rows. Finally, the side mirrors of the MKC supply premium functionality with heating, power-folding capability, and integrated LED turn-signal indicators.

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Interior Design and Capacities

The 2017 Lincoln MKC Reserve showcases supple leather seating with hides from Scotland’s Bridge of Weir, which puts each one through a 16-hour softening process. Incidentally, despite Bridge of Weir’s long tradition of supplying leather to premium automakers, the MKC is the only vehicle in its class to partner with the company. In the front row, the seats also boast 10-way power adjustability, four-way-adjustable headrests, and both heating and ventilation. The steering wheel is wrapped in leather as well, but in this case, the hides are imported “from the Alpine region of central Europe.” That kind of attention to craftsmanship is on display throughout the MKC Reserve cabin, too, and so is a strong dose of crossover versatility. Thus, the MKC delivers 25.2 cubic feet of storage behind the second row of seats and more than twice that amount—53.1 cubic feet—when the rear seats are folded.

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Audio and Infotainment Technologies

Complementing all those cabin comforts in the 2017 Lincoln MKC Reserve is a generous array of audio and infotainment technologies, starting with the latest SYNC 3 system. This is a next-gen setup that leverages an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen, Android Auto/Apple CarPlay smartphone integration, enhanced voice recognition and high-speed processing, and it comes with navigation. It also incorporates AppLink functionality in the MKC, enabling owners to use SYNC 3 voice control to access numerous mobile apps. A separate smartphone app can be used for such things as locking/unlocking the MKC, vehicle location, remote starting and more. Standard for audio purposes is a Lincoln Premium Audio System with nine speakers—including a dedicated subwoofer—and resources like SiriusXM Satellite Radio, a pair of smart-charging USB ports, and active noise control. For convenience, Lincoln can update the system wirelessly, using a built-in Wi-Fi connection.

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Safety Technology and Ratings

A rearview camera and a Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) are a few of the key driver-assistance measures for the MKC Reserve; the BLIS technology, for the curious, is a radar-based setup that can identify and alert the driver to vehicles in the MKC’s rear blind spots, both on the road and when pulling out of a driveway or parking spot. A Lincoln exclusive that will boost driver confidence on the road is the 911 Assist feature that’s part of the vehicle’s previously mentioned SYNC 3 infotainment system. A no-extra-charge service, it can automatically contact first responders, even in cases when you can’t. Adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping technology are options, as covered in more detail in the next section of this Autobytel road test and review of the 2017 Lincoln MKC Reserve, a vehicle that receives a 4-star Overall Safety Score from the NHTSA.

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Available Equipment

Customers also can upgrade both the style and the substance of the 2017 Lincoln MKC Reserve. For instance, beyond the adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping system, the MKC can be specified with a THX II Certified Audio System. The setup was designed to satisfy the most demanding audiophiles, complete with 700 watts of power and 14 speakers that were each individually positioned throughout the cabin for optimum sound reproduction. For optimum comfort, a heated steering wheel is available, and to dress up the MKC’s appearance, so are some bold design options. Among them: multiple cabin colors, a sophisticated Aluminum Trim/Sonata Spin interior theme, premium exterior finishes, and upsized 20-inch polished aluminum wheels with ebony-painted pockets.

Photo by Lincoln

Other Cool Info

The 2017 Lincoln MKC Reserve may be luxurious, but the Black Label program is the ultimate expression of automotive elegance for the brand. Creating what Lincoln calls “personalized experience that exceeds ownership,” Black Label benefits include specific interior design themes—such as Modern Heritage, Indulgence and Center Stage—plus exclusive materials and style cues, and membership privileges. As one example of the latter, Black Label buyers enjoy four years and 50,000 miles of complimentary maintenance, but Lincoln will come and get the MKC, and drop it off again, free of charge. If that doesn’t satisfy your appetite for conspicuous consumption, the program furnishes access to the Lincoln Culinary Collection, a “curated list of exceptional restaurants.”

Photo by Lincoln

Final Thoughts

The Lincoln brand seems to be back on its way to relevance for luxury buyers, thanks in no small part to the success of vehicles like the 2017 Lincoln MKC Reserve. In fact, by serving up distinct advantages—from those Bridge of Weir seats to its Vista Roof—the MKC Reserve has been able to carve out a growing niche in a crowded segment. Also crucial is that the MKC does more than separate itself from the premium competition. It also separates itself from its mainstream, Ford-branded counterpart. (Like many of its rivals, the MKC shares a platform with a more affordable vehicle from the same ownership group.) The outcome here is a noticeably positive one for customers, who should have no qualms placing the MKC on their purchase-consideration lists.

Photo by Lincoln