If you are a Lincoln dealer, the arrival of the 2015 Lincoln MKC crossover cannot come soon enough. Since Mercury was dropped by Ford at the end of 2010, Lincoln dealerships have been thirsting for new product. Moreover, the existing Lincoln line has long been weak from top to bottom with only a new MKZ arriving during the past year.
2015 Lincoln MKC Pricing
Come next summer, the 2015 Lincoln MKC will augment Ford’s premium brand line up. This week, Lincoln announced its pricing, giving the new model a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $33,995, including destination and delivery. That price is set below its competition including the Acura RDX priced from $35,415 and the Audi Q5 priced from $38,195.
Three trim levels will be available with the MKC: Premiere, Select and Reserve. MKC shoppers will have a choice of two EcoBoost four cylinder engines and may also pay to upgrade to all-wheel drive from front-wheel drive.
All 2015 Lincoln MKC models will be equipped with 18-inch painted aluminum wheels set within all-season tires, automatic HID headlamps with LED lighting, body-colored heated side mirrors, and LED tail lamps. A smoked chrome grille, bright belt line molding and anodized roof rails are included.
The MKC shares its platform with the Ford Escape.
Cabin Amenities and Trim Levels
Inside, the MKC is furnished with a 10-way power driver’s seat with lumbar support, a 4-way power passenger seat with recline, heated front seats, a 60/40 split bench rear seat with recline, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with a tilt and telescopic function. Power windows, power door locks, dual-zone climate control, an overhead console with sunglasses holder, LED map lights, manually adjusted front head rests, and a front floor console with two cup holders is standard.
Choose the MKC Select ($37,225) and your model receives luster nickel wheels, ambient lighting, a 10-way power passenger seat, configurable daytime running lights, power folding mirrors, a universal garage door opener, and a upgraded steering wheel draped in Wollsdorf leather.
For customers considering the MKC Reserve ($40,930), they’ll get two-toned polished wheels, cooled front seats, a power tilt and telescopic steering wheel column, a Vista Roof with power shades, a voice-activated navigation system, an embedded modem, cooled front seats, and a blind spot information system with cross-traffic alert.
Other amenities included across the 2015 Lincoln MKC line are remote start, cruise control, four power points, a reverse sensing system, and SYNC with MyLincoln Touch. SYNC is a voice-activated communication and entertainment (infotainment) system featuring an 8-inch touch screen in the center stack.
SYNC with MyLincoln Touch is standard with the MKC.
Free-Standing Packages
Customers can also consider certain free-standing packages and features. SelectPlus ($1,100), available only with the MKC Select brings in voice-activated navigation and the blind-spot navigation system with cross-traffic alert.
A Technology package ($2,235), available only with the MKC Reserve, brings in adaptive cruise control with collision warning and brake support. The package also include active park assist, a front sensing system, and lane-keeping assist.
A Climate package ($580) is available with the Select and Reserve only, what adds rain-sensing wipers, a heated rear seat, a heated steering wheel, and automatic high-beam headlamps.
Free-standing features can be bought regardless of trim level and include upgraded wheels, a Continuously Controlled Damping (CCD) suspension system for front-wheel drive editions, an enhanced THX II certified audio system, all-wheel drive, and the larger 2.3-liter engine. A 2.0-liter inline-four is standard. Pricing for these options ranges from $395 for the 19-inch premium painted wheels to $2,495 for all-wheel drive.
The Lincoln MKZ is the other new product for Ford’s premium brand.
Lincoln Model Line Outlook
With the MKC joining the MKZ and MKZ Hybrid as Lincoln’s newest products, the brand is finally seeing much-needed new product, but there is much more needed to rebuild a brand that last captured the luxury sales crown in 1998. Lincoln’s newest products take aim at a new generation of Lincoln owners, people that are probably not familiar with the brand.
Meanwhile, traditional owners have the MKS sedan and larger crossovers including the MKX and MKT to consider as well as the aged Navigator SUV. All four products are likely to be replaced in the next two to three years, but there is still no Lincoln product that provides a strong differentiation from the Ford brand, a deficiency that will likely limit Lincoln’s appeal going forward.
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2015 Lincoln MKC photos and MKZ shot courtesy of the Lincoln Motor Company.