We may not have reached the halfway mark on 2014, but already, 2015 models are making their way to dealer showrooms. Some are merely updates of existing vehicles, but others are all new. At the LA Auto Show this year, we chose the 8 Coolest Debuts, many of which will debut on the roadways this summer. One of those was the Lincoln MKC.
Arriving on the heals of the successful MKZ sedan, the MKC is the second new vehicle in Lincoln’s plans to introduce four new vehicles by 2016. Despite experiencing 80 percent growth over the last five years, Lincoln has had an age problem, and with the new MKC crossover, sees the opportunity to capture a younger audience. The small premium utility segment has 25 percent growth since 2012 and 200 percent since 2009, making it a no-brainer for Lincoln to dip its feet into the water.
According to Jeff Reid, Marketing Manager for the MKC, “We’re excited because we think this vehicle will appeal to a lot of people, whether they’re buying their first luxury vehicle or trading down from a larger SUV.”
“And there’s no dominant player in the field, which includes Acura RDX, BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLK, making it a perfect time for a great challenger brand to come in and grab some market share.”
We were impressed with the MKC when we saw it in LA. It has clean lines, a wraparound hands-free liftgate and signature split-wing grille. It’s elegant, not at all stodgy and will include an array of tech features that will appeal to the younger buyers that Lincoln needs and craves. A My Lincoln mobile app will also be available for the ultimate in control, including the ability to start the car from almost anywhere in the world via remote start. Lost your MKC in a parking lot? Car locater will direct you to it.
The interior will be dressed in the most sustainable leather products out there, and the new EcoBoost engine gives it great passing power and off-the-line acceleration, as well as excellent expected fuel economy. We’ll keep you posted once we have a real-world road test, but if looks and advance buzz are any indication, it looks like Lincoln has a winner on its hands.
When it goes on sale this summer, MKC will have a very reasonable starting price of $33,995, and will be offered in three trim levels: Premiere, Select and Reserve.
