2015 Lincoln MKC vs. Its Competition

Bengt Halvorson Senior Editor

Is the 2015 Lincoln MKC a top-tier luxury model? We don’t see why not; it’s a new class for Lincoln, but the MKC as a product is as good as nearly anything else in this class.

The Cadillac SRX is a half-size larger, but we’d put it in the same category because of pricing and features; in that stage, the MKC also stands out for offering more for the money.

The Lincoln is also better in fuel economy than the Cadillac, which only offers a V-6.

The Infiniti QX50 is, like the MKC, very compromised in rear-seat space; the MKC rides better than the QX50, although the Infiniti’s rear-wheel-drive platform might satisfy die-hard sport-sedan enthusiasts a bit more.

Safety purists will want to head over to the Volvo XC60, with its stronger set of available safety equipment and better crash ratings; while the Audi Q5 sits as a sort of target for the MKC.

It might be as good as the Audi, in many ways, but the Lincoln is indeed lacking that model’s cachet -- so far.

At a more modest level, the MKC competes with the Buick Encore, a surprisingly well-equipped, quiet, and comfortable crossover that offers luxury without much pretense.

The Encore is a significantly smaller vehicle on the outside, although its seating space isn't that much tighter.