The Lincoln MKX ranks in the middle of the luxury midsize SUV class. It has a high reliability rating and generous seating space, but these highlights aren’t enough to offset its mediocre safety score, unimpressive cabin materials, and clunky infotainment system.
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The 2015 Lincoln MKX's #6 ranking is based on its score within the 2015 Luxury Midsize SUVs category. Currently the Lincoln MKX has a score of 7.9 out of 10, which is based on our evaluation of 98 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
The Lincoln MKX is a decent option if you’re shopping for a used luxury midsize SUV. The MKX has a high reliability rating, and its projected ownership costs are among the lowest in the class. This five-seat SUV also boasts a roomy interior and a smooth, comfortable ride.
That said, you’ll want to look elsewhere if having a high-grade interior is a priority. Cabin quality falls short of luxury standards, and MKX does little to distinguish itself from its sibling, the 2015 Ford Edge.
We’ve analyzed 98 Lincoln MKX reviews, as well as hard data points like reliability scores and cost of ownership estimates, to help you make the best car-buying decision possible.
U.S. News Best Cars has been ranking and reviewing vehicles since 2007, and our team has decades of experience in the auto industry. Though we’re passionate about cars, we’re even more committed to providing helpful consumer advice. To maintain objectivity, we don’t accept expensive gifts or trips from car companies.
Based on listings for the 2015 Lincoln MKX on our site, the average price is $25,800. Prices range from $20,000 to $30,500 and vary depending on the vehicle's condition, mileage, features, and location.
The MKX’s five-year costs for gas, insurance, repairs, and maintenance are projected to be $26,000, or about $5,200 per year. That’s far better than average for a luxury midsize SUV.
Lincoln replaced the 2018 MKX with the Nautilus for 2019. Compared to the MKX, the 2019 Nautilus has sharper exterior styling, a new four-cylinder base engine, and more standard safety features like forward collision warning and blind spot monitoring. Overall, it feels more like a refreshed MKX than an all-new SUV, though. Both vehicles are similar in size, and they share an infotainment system, the same available V6 engine, and similar cabin styling. The Nautilus is certainly far more refined than the 2015 MKX, but it's also much more expensive to buy.
Among new two-row SUVs, there are a lot of good nonluxury options in the 2015 MKX's price range. The 2019 Ford Escape starts at $24,105 and offers comparable cargo space to the MKX, plus a sportier driving experience. Starting at $24,350, the 2019 Mazda CX-5 is another fun-to-drive SUV, and its posh interior outshines many luxury models. The 2019 Honda CR-V has lots of passenger and cargo space, and it yields incredible fuel economy of up to 28/34 mpg city/highway. Its pricing starts at $24,350.
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Lincoln debuted the first-generation MKX for 2007. The SUV saw virtually no updates until the 2011 model year, when it received refreshed exterior and interior styling, a new infotainment system, and a larger V6 engine with an additional 40 horsepower. After that, there were no major changes until Lincoln redesigned the MKX for 2016.
The second-generation MKX (2016 to 2018) is a big improvement. These models have crisper styling inside and out, nicer cabin materials, and better safety scores. They also offer stronger performance, courtesy of an available 335-horsepower twin-turbo V6. If you’re considering a used MKX, limit your search to the 2017 and 2018 models, which offer the SYNC 3 infotainment system that replaced the clumsy MyLincoln Touch system offered since the 2011 model year.
Compare the 2015, 2016, and 2017 MKX »
The 2015 MKX has an above-average reliability rating of four out of five from J.D. Power.
Read more about MKX reliability »
There are no recalls for the 2015 Lincoln MKX at this time.
See more information on Lincoln MKX safety recalls »
The 2015 Lincoln MKX is available in one trim. Standard features include an 8-inch touch screen, satellite radio, a CD player, Bluetooth, two USB ports, cruise control, keyless entry, push-button start, remote start, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, a power liftgate, rear parking sensors, fog lights, and 18-inch alloy wheels.
Available features include a navigation system, a sunroof, heated rear seats, a rearview camera, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.
See 2015 Lincoln MKX 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.
Read more about the Lincoln certified pre-owned program »
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2015 Lincoln MKX five out of five stars in the side crash test. The SUV received four stars in the rollover test, but only three stars in the frontal crash test. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the MKX the highest rating of Good in all four areas tested.
All MKX models come standard with rear parking sensors. Available features include a rearview camera, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control.
The 2015 Lexus RX 350 and Lincoln MKX share some drawbacks. Both of these SUVs have distracting infotainment systems, cabin materials that fall short of luxury standards, and mediocre fuel economy. The Lexus tops the Lincoln in most other areas, though. It has more cargo space, better safety scores, and more advanced safety features. It also has a top-notch reliability rating. A used RX 350 may be a bit more expensive, but it’s a better luxury midsize SUV overall.
The MKX offers two benefits over the smaller 2015 Lincoln MKC: roomier back seats and a larger cargo space. Other than that, the MKX falls flat by comparison. The MKC is more fuel-efficient and nicer to drive, thanks to its peppy turbocharged engine and lithe handling. It has cleaner styling inside and out, as well as higher-quality materials. The MKC also has better crash safety ratings and lower ownership costs. The MKC is the better Lincoln.
Compare the MKX, RX 350, and MKC »
The MKX has a 3.7-liter V6 engine with 305 horsepower. A six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive are standard; all-wheel drive is available. This engine may sound powerful, but it’s tasked with pulling the Lincoln’s hefty two-ton weight, and the transmission’s slow downshifts don't help matters. The MKX offers adequate power around town, and it cruises nicely on the highway – it just doesn’t feel all that quick.
Ride quality is one area where the Lincoln stands out. When equipped with the standard 18-inch wheels, the MKX glides smoothly even over broken pavement, and it shrugs off potholes with ease. It remains fairly balanced when rounding tight turns, as well. Cornering composure suffers with the larger 20- or 22-inch wheels, though, as they give the MKX a harsh and jittery ride.
The MKX gets an EPA-estimated 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. That’s decent by class standards. AWD models yield a lower 17/23 mpg city/highway.
When properly equipped, the MKX can tow up to 3,500 pounds.
Read more about MKX performance »
The Lincoln MKX is a two-row SUV with five seats. The front seats are cushy, and they offer good support for longer road trips. The most obvious benefit of the Lincoln’s interior, however, is the sheer amount of space it provides. Taller passengers will find generous seating space in both the first and second rows. There’s even enough rear-seat space for three adults to sit comfortably on shorter outings. Leather-trimmed heated and ventilated front seats are standard; heated rear seats are available.
The MKX’s cabin remains hushed at highway speeds, and it filters out most road and wind noise. Some of the SUV’s interior materials don’t look or feel up to snuff for a luxury vehicle, though. These include cheap plastics and shiny metallic trim.
The MKX has two full sets of LATCH connectors for securing child car seats.
Every MKX comes standard with an 8-inch touch screen, SYNC voice recognition, Bluetooth, a satellite radio, a CD player, two USB ports, keyless entry, and push-button start. A navigation system is available.
The touch screen in the MKX has a sleek appearance, but it’s not that user-friendly. This MyLincoln Touch system responds slowly to inputs, and its on-screen menus are a bit complicated. The audio and climate controls located underneath the screen aren’t much easier to deal with. These touch-sensitive buttons and sliders are distracting to use while driving. On the other hand, the SYNC voice recognition system is quite easy to use, and it can help work around the MKX’s other tech hiccups.
Read more about MKX interior »
The MKX has 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind its rear seats, and 68.6 cubic feet of space with these seats folded. These numbers are good by class standards. A power tailgate is standard.
The Lincoln MKX is 15.6 feet long. It weighs between 4,251 and 4,429 pounds, depending on configuration.
Lincoln built the 2015 MKX in Canada.
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