The 2016 Lincoln MKC presents itself as more than just a compact SUV; it’s a haven of comfort and a treasure trove of delightful features, perfectly suited for memorable road adventures. My journey with the Lincoln MKC, accompanied by my teenage son and his friend en route to ACE Adventure Resort in West Virginia, turned out to be an unexpectedly pleasant experience. Typically, family road trips are a blend of bickering and parental attempts at peace. However, this trip was different. Engaging brain games and meaningful conversations replaced the usual backseat squabbles, proving the Lincoln MKC was setting a new tone for travel. While their music choices weren’t my preference, the vehicle itself was a definite win.
Image alt text: Front view of the 2016 Lincoln MKC showcasing its sleek design and comfortable appeal for drivers and passengers.
The Lincoln MKC, while classified as a small SUV, drives with the grace of a sedan. Its smooth ride and responsive acceleration immediately stood out, making it arguably the most comfortable car I’ve ever had the pleasure of driving. This vehicle redefines the road trip experience with its blend of luxury and practicality.
The Unconventional Gear Shift and Design Innovations
Upon settling into the driver’s seat, the Lincoln MKC immediately impressed with its user-friendly “start engine” button. After familiarizing myself with the radio and essential controls, a moment of delightful confusion arose when I couldn’t locate the traditional gear shift. My search ended with the discovery of elegantly designed push-button gear selectors seamlessly integrated into the dashboard. This innovative design was not only aesthetically pleasing but also a testament to Lincoln’s commitment to modern luxury and functional elegance.
Image alt text: Close-up of the Lincoln MKC’s push-button gear shift, highlighting its modern design and integration into the dashboard for a sophisticated driving experience.
The Lincoln MKC is replete with thoughtful design elements that enhance its luxurious appeal. The expansive double sunroof bathes the cabin in natural light and provides breathtaking views for rear passengers, creating an open and airy atmosphere within the vehicle.
Image alt text: Interior view of the Lincoln MKC showcasing the panoramic double sunroof, enhancing the cabin’s spaciousness and providing ample natural light for passengers.
The dashboard design is another highlight, boasting a streamlined and intuitive layout that is both beautiful and functional. Its simplicity contributes to a stress-free driving environment.
Image alt text: Detailed view of the Lincoln MKC’s dashboard, emphasizing its streamlined design, intuitive controls, and elegant aesthetic that enhances driver experience.
Door design also received careful consideration. Each door features a uniquely slanted bottle holder, perfectly designed for water bottles, even larger sizes. While perhaps not ideal for coffee cups due to the slant, this design choice smartly frees up center console space for other beverages, a thoughtful touch for drivers needing both water and coffee on long journeys.
Image alt text: Focus on the Lincoln MKC’s door panel, showing the large, slanted bottle holder designed for secure and easy access to water bottles while driving.
The ambient night lighting in the Lincoln MKC is another standout feature. A soft, soothing blue light subtly illuminates cup holders, door handles, and USB ports, as well as the footwells, in the dark. Unlike harsh and distracting night lights in some vehicles, the MKC’s lighting is perfectly balanced, adding a touch of elegance and practicality to nighttime driving.
Image alt text: Interior ambiance of the Lincoln MKC at night, showcasing the gentle blue night lighting that enhances visibility and adds a luxurious feel to the cabin.
Rugged Luxury: Handling Diverse Terrains
The Lincoln MKC’s luxury isn’t confined to paved roads. It confidently navigated the unpaved, single-lane dirt roads of West Virginia, demonstrating surprising resilience. While not built for extreme off-roading, it adeptly handled mud, gravel, and potholes, and performed admirably in heavy rain. This capability ensures that the MKC is not just a city cruiser but also a reliable companion for more adventurous routes.
Comfort is paramount in the Lincoln MKC. The seats are exceptionally well-designed, gently contouring to the back and providing support in all the right places. An eight-hour drive, punctuated only by a fuel and coffee stop, left me surprisingly free of aches or discomfort. Despite the slightly persistent “driver alert” system suggesting rest breaks, the journey was physically comfortable, highlighting the MKC’s long-distance driving comfort.
Image alt text: Close-up of the Lincoln MKC’s comfortable and supportive seating, designed to hug the occupant and provide exceptional comfort during long drives.
Minor Climate Control Quirks
A minor hiccup during my otherwise seamless experience was with the climate control system. While the dual-zone climate control functioned correctly, engaging the defroster on a muggy, rainy day presented a slight challenge. Although the windshield cleared effectively, maintaining a cool cabin temperature simultaneously proved less intuitive. The need to toggle between defrost and A/C settings was a minor inconvenience, suggesting a slight learning curve in mastering the climate control’s nuances.
Image alt text: Detail of the Lincoln MKC’s climate control panel, indicating the dual-zone settings and controls for defroster and air conditioning.
Safety and Entertainment Features
The Lincoln MKC prioritizes safety with standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD) and a suite of advanced safety technologies. Features like lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, cross-traffic alert, active park assist, and forward/reverse sensing systems contribute to a secure driving experience. Furthermore, dual front, driver knee, and side/curtain airbags provide comprehensive occupant protection in the event of a collision.
Beyond safety, the MKC offers delightful entertainment features. The seamless integration of smartphone apps like Spotify via USB connection enhances the audio experience. The speed-adaptive volume is another clever feature, automatically adjusting the radio volume to compensate for changes in vehicle speed, ensuring consistent sound levels without manual adjustments.
For the driver, the dashboard display is both visually appealing and highly functional, providing essential information at a glance, including navigation, speed limits, lane assist status, and remaining fuel range.
Image alt text: Driver’s perspective of the Lincoln MKC dashboard, highlighting its clear displays for navigation, speed, lane assist, and vehicle information, enhancing driver awareness.
Highlights We Appreciated
- Soft blue ambient night lighting for interior elegance and visibility.
- Expansive panoramic double sunroof enhancing cabin spaciousness and views.
- Heated mirrors equipped with security approach lamps for added safety and convenience.
- Thoughtfully designed bottle holders on doors, maximizing storage and accessibility.
- Adaptive cruise control, making long road trips more relaxed and enjoyable.
- Speed-adaptive volume maintaining optimal audio levels automatically.
Key Aspects to Consider
- Offers SUV versatility with the smooth ride quality of a luxury sedan.
- Features a modern push-button gear shift integrated into the dashboard.
- Second row includes a versatile 60/40 fold-flat split bench with recline function.
- Equipped with a hands-free liftgate for convenient cargo access.
- Achieves an average fuel economy of 21 MPG (18 city, 26 highway).
- Base price starts at $42,955, with the tested model (including technology and climate packages) priced at $50,695.
Image alt text: Monroney sticker of the Lincoln MKC, detailing the MSRP, options, packages, and fuel economy information for potential buyers.
Disclosure: Lincoln generously provided the MKC for this review; all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
By Shannon Entin.
