YouWheel.com Test Drive Review: The 2015 Lincoln MKC Part 1 (exterior)

2015 Lincoln MKC 2.3 EcoBoost AWD
2.3L turbocharged I4, 285 hp @ 5,500 RPM, 305 lb-ft @ 2,750 RPM
6-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive
Options: Equipment Group 101A, panoramic roof, THX audio, Select Plus Package
MSRP as tested: $45,150 (including $895 S&H charge)

Review Index:
The 2015 Lincoln MKC – Part 1 (Exterior)
The 2015 Lincoln MKC – Part 2 (Interior)

The 2015 Lincoln MKC is a brand-new model in the Lincoln family, which went on sale this May. Now 6 months have passed, but as of today it is still very hard to spot a Lincoln MKC on the street. The sales volume of the Lincoln MKC merely matched the BMW X3, but lacking behind the Lexus RX and the Audi Q5 by a factor of as high as 5 (sales figure of the MKC is only around 1/5 of the Lexus RX).

On paper the 2015 Lincoln MKC has beautiful specifications, and its shapes and styling looks OK in ads. In our test drive review, I will try to explain why the MKC doesn’t receive better recognition from the consumer.

The exterior shape of the Lincoln MKC is very close to the Ford Escape – because they share the same platform, and some of the trims even share the same engine and transmission.

How About the 2015 Lincoln MKC Wheelbase?

The MKC has a slightly longer wheelbase of 106.9in (compared to 105.9in for the Ford Escape). Similar optioned MKC is about 170 lb heavier than the Escape, due to the longer wheelbase and larger car body in almost all dimensions. Besides this, there are extra noise damping materials all around the cabin, which also contributes to the extra 170 lb of weight.

Our test car is the top-of-the-line trim equipped with the firm’s latest 2.3L EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine, which can also be found in the 2015 Ford Mustang EcoBoost (but with a higher output). When the 2.3L engine is selected, Lincoln will also offer the AWD system as standard.

Looking at its back, the MKC gives me an impression of something similar to the Porsche Macan.

All the tail lamps are integrated within the tailgate, which means after you open the liftgate  you won’t see any parts of the tail lamps in the rest of the car body. This design causes the tail liftgate to be very thick in shape (to house the whole tail lamps), therefore it is easier to hit your head if you are not careful.

Looking at the back on another side, you can see the tail liftgate’s opening contour.

The Lincoln MKC has full LED tail lights.

There is one major build quality issue on the exterior. The rear spoiler on the liftgate has two tips extended down on each sides. And guess what? They are only glued to the glass by something like two-sided tape. Obviously such thing cannot withstand the tough outside environment conditions, and also the wind forces generated during high-speed driving. Therefore our almost-brand-new test car already has those two tips detached from its location, see the below photos.

This is totally unacceptable for a modern production car, not to mention that this is sold as a luxury car.

Even though the Lincoln MKC is based on a front-wheel-drive platform, it has a relatively short overhang in the front. Due to the short length of the 4-cylinder engine in traverse mounted configuration.

Our MKC test car has the standard 235/50R18 tire on all four corners. Compared to other available options (P235/45R19; P245/45R19; P255/40R20), the standard tire size offers cushioned ride comfort and good linear acceleration.

The MKC comes with dual chrome exhaust tips as standard. In fact this is for aesthetic purpose only – there is only one single exhaust manifold in the 4-cylinder engine, the mechanical performance doesn’t depend on whether the exhaust gas is routed to two outlets or one outlet after the muffler.

Although with a car-based platform, the MKC has relatively high ground-clearance.

Lincoln claims the MKC’s design philosophy is based off a “Sculpted Exterior”, which means smooth corners and some muscle lines on the body panels (in Lincoln’s own words: “Crisp lines stretch taut across the sculpted body“).

The HID headlight with LED daytime running lights.

However, personally the “Sculpted Exterior” reminds me of Hyundai’s product, especially starting from the 2011 Hyundai Sonata. It does not mean the MKC does not look good from the outside, just the idea is not innovation anymore.

In Lincoln’s new models, they all have the Lincoln brand’s signature Split-Wing Grille. It matches the Sculpted Exterior design style, it conveys a conservative image.

From our point of view, its eye-catching effect cannot match the huge grilles in Audi and Lexus cars.

Every cars made by the US automotive union workers will have this label affixed to the window, telling you who made this car.

I hope you stick around for part two of our review because in the next section we’ll show you around the MKC’s interior.

 

 Feel free to leave a question or share an opinion in the comment box below.

 

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