The 2019 Lincoln MKC finishes in the bottom half of our luxury compact SUV rankings. It has plenty of user-friendly tech features and a plush ride, but many rivals are more upscale and more athletic.
The 2019 Lincoln MKC's #10 ranking is based on its score within the 2019 Luxury Compact SUVs category. It was a finalist for our 2019 Best Luxury Compact SUV for the Money award. Currently the Lincoln MKC has a score of 7.6 out of 10, which is based on our evaluation of 30 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Yes, the 2019 MKC is a good used luxury compact SUV. It gets decent gas mileage and provides a cushioned ride over almost any road surface. The MKC looks good inside, and it has lots of standard and available features, most of which are intuitive and easy to use.
Unfortunately, the MKC also has some notable weaknesses. Neither of its engine choices feel particularly energetic, and the handling in this Lincoln crossover is less agile than many competitors'. Its cargo capacity is below average for the class, and several rivals have more comfortable seats and ritzier cabins.
We’ve researched 30 Lincoln MKC reviews, as well as hard data points like reliability ratings and cost of ownership estimates, to help you make the best car-buying decision possible.
U.S. News & World Report has been ranking the best cars, trucks, and SUVs since 2007, and our staff has more than 75 years’ worth of auto industry experience combined. To keep our reviews unbiased, we don’t accept expensive gifts or trips from car companies, and an outside company manages our advertising.
Based on listings for the 2019 Lincoln MKC, the average list price is $23,144. Prices range from $33,995 to $49,610 and vary depending on the vehicle’s condition, mileage, features, and location.
The 2019 MKC’s five-year costs for gas, insurance, taxes, fees, repairs, and maintenance are projected to be about $28,600, or $5,720 per year. That’s below average for the class.
The 2019 MKC looks slightly different than the 2018 model because Lincoln refreshed its exterior styling, but the 2019 MKC saw no other significant updates. Notably, 2019 marked the final year of production for the MKC, which was replaced by the Lincoln Corsair for 2020.
Compare the 2018 and 2019 MKC »
Here are the key changes for the Lincoln MKC since its debut for the 2015 model year:
If you're considering an older model, be sure to read our 2016 MKC, 2017 MKC, and 2018 MKC reviews to help make your decision. Also, check out our Best New Car Deals and Best New Car Lease Deals pages to learn about savings and discounts you can find on new vehicles.
Read more about MKC reliability »
There are no major recalls for the 2019 Lincoln MKC at this time.
See more information on Lincoln MKC safety recalls »
The 2019 Lincoln MKC comes in four trims: base, Select, Reserve, and Black Label. All models feature a 245-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder base engine, a six-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive. A 285-horsepower turbo-four is available in all but the base trim, and all-wheel drive is available in all trims.
The base MKC comes with a fair number of features, and many buyers won't feel the need to look past it. If you do want to step up the trim ladder, the Reserve also makes a good choice, as it’s the lowest trim to offer many of this Lincoln's active safety features.
When new, Lincoln offered a lot of options for the 2019 MKC. That means you may be able to find Lincoln MKC models with features in addition to those listed here.
See 2019 Lincoln MKC trims and specs »
Lincoln offers a certified pre-owned program for vehicles six years old or less and with fewer than 80,000 miles. Eligibility is determined by the vehicle’s initial sale date. For its certified pre-owned vehicles, Lincoln extends its original new-car warranty to six years from the original sale date or 100,000 miles. Lincoln puts its CPO vehicles through a 200-point inspection. Additional benefits like vehicle history reports, towing, and roadside assistance may be available, so read the Lincoln warranty page carefully.
Lincoln has one of the least robust CPO programs among luxury carmakers, according to our analysis. Better programs are available through competitors like Cadillac, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2019 MKC an overall safety rating of four out of five stars, with five stars in the side crash test and four stars in the frontal crash and rollover tests.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2019 MKC the highest rating of Good in both crash tests the organization performed.
Standard advanced safety features:
Available advanced safety features:
The 2019 Lexus NX finishes a bit ahead of the MKC in our luxury compact SUV rankings, and it's a better pick for most buyers. The NX's engine doesn't have as much horsepower as the MKC's engines, but the Lexus crossover feels quicker nonetheless. The NX has ample space for adults in both rows, as well as a more upscale interior than the Lincoln. The Lexus also has one of the best predicted reliability ratings in the class.
The 2019 Lincoln Nautilus is a luxury midsize SUV that's bigger than the MKC, though it's not necessarily better. As you might guess, these Lincolns have similar features lists and comparable levels of interior quality. The Nautilus provides more passenger and cargo space, and it offers a twin-turbocharged V6 engine that's more powerful than both of the MKC’s engines. That said, unless you need the extra space and power the Nautilus provides, the better pick between these two is largely a matter of personal preference.
Compare the MKC, NX, and Nautilus »
The MKC gives you a choice of two turbocharged engines, but despite the power difference, both feel about the same from behind the wheel. What's more, neither engine delivers the kind of energetic performance that you can get from other luxury compact SUVs.
Many rivals have more agile handling than the MKC, but that's because this Lincoln intentionally prioritizes comfort over athleticism. To that end, the MKC succeeds. The ride is plush, and even large bumps in the road are absorbed without disturbing the cabin’s occupants.
The MKC earns its best fuel economy ratings when equipped with the base engine and front-wheel drive. In that setup, it gets average gas mileage for a luxury compact SUV. Ratings drop slightly if you opt for all-wheel drive or the more powerful turbocharged engine.
The MKC can tow up to 3,000 pounds when properly equipped.
Read more about MKC performance »
The 2019 MKC seats five people in two rows. It looks good inside, and the cabin remains quiet at highway speeds. However, there are some low-rent materials that keep this Lincoln from feeling as posh as some rivals.
Neither row of seats will wow you with the amount of legroom available, and the rear seats are short on headroom. Additionally, many rivals' seats are more comfortable and supportive than the MKC's seats.
Standard seating features:
Available seating features:
The 2019 MKC has two complete sets of LATCH car-seat connectors for the rear outboard seats and an upper tether for the rear middle seat. The rear middle seat has the ability to borrow the lower anchors from both sides. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave this LATCH system the second-lowest rating of Marginal for ease of use. The tether anchors could be confused with other hardware, and some of the lower anchors are set too deeply in the seats.
The MKC comes with plenty of connectivity features, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making it easy to link your smartphone to the infotainment system. The SYNC 3 interface is intuitive and easy to use, and the touch screen responds quickly to inputs. There are also physical controls for some functions.
Read more about MKC interior »
The MKC has 25.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 53.1 cubic feet with them folded. Many luxury compact SUVs have a higher maximum cargo capacity.
Lincoln built the 2019 MKC in Kentucky.
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