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Photo of a Lincoln MKC

Lincoln MKC

Mustang-shared muscle: the 2015 MKC 2.3 offered a 285-hp turbo four.1

Researched November 9, 2026 from 24 sources

At a glance

0150300
203–285 hpPower
0510
6.5–7.6 s0–60 mph
0125250
185–209 km/hTop speed
0250500
300–414 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
1,745–1,844 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.1361112

Engine
2.0 L and 2.3 L EcoBoost turbo inline-fours3
Layout
Front-engine; 2.0 FWD/AWD, 2.3 AWD7
Gearbox
6-speed automatic; push-button selector, manual shift mode13
Built at
Louisville Assembly Plant, Kentucky, United States3

The story

Lincoln's reinvention went compact with the MKC, the second of four all-new vehicles. Built from 2014 to 2019 in one generation, it shared the Ford Escape's Global C platform.234

2013: Detroit concept previews a new Lincoln20132014: Summer launch as a 2015 model · China debut alongside the MKZ20142016: SYNC 3 replaces MyLincoln Touch · Louisville stays; Trump claims credit20162017: Brake hold, CarPlay and Android Auto20172018: Wi-Fi becomes standard20182019: Chrome mesh replaces the split wings20192020: Corsair takes over2020 Mercury Mariner: 2005–2011Mercury MarinerLincoln C concept: 2009Lincoln MKC concept: 2013Lincoln MKC: 2015–2019Lincoln MKC 200420062008201020122014201620182020202220242026
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones314161718
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
2005–2011Mercury Mariner
2009Lincoln C concept
2013Lincoln MKC concept
2015–2019Lincoln MKC
2013Detroit concept previews a new Lincoln
2014Summer launch as a 2015 model
2014China debut alongside the MKZ
2016SYNC 3 replaces MyLincoln Touch
2016Louisville stays; Trump claims credit
2017Brake hold, CarPlay and Android Auto
2018Wi-Fi becomes standard
2019Chrome mesh replaces the split wings
2020Corsair takes over
  1. 2013

    Detroit concept previews a new Lincoln

    The MKC concept debuts in Detroit, the first completed vehicle from Lincoln's reborn design studio, with Murat Gueler leading its design.25

  2. 2014

    Summer launch as a 2015 model

    Available Lincoln Drive Control offers Comfort, Normal and Sport modes; its adaptive dampers react within 20 milliseconds on average.23

  3. 2014

    China debut alongside the MKZ

    The MKC and MKZ usher Lincoln into China; the Chinese MKC launches with a 203-hp 2.0 turbo and six-speed automatic.6

  4. 2016

    SYNC 3 replaces MyLincoln Touch

    SYNC 3 brings simpler menus, quicker responses and wireless updates; the 2.3-liter version's towing limit rises to 1,361 kg.37

  5. 2016

    Louisville stays; Trump claims credit

    Ford says next-generation MKC production will stay in Louisville instead of Mexico; president-elect Donald Trump claims credit.8

  6. 2017

    Brake hold, CarPlay and Android Auto

    A power liftgate and automatic brake hold become standard. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto join SYNC 3; FWD 2.0 versions also gain stop/start.37

  7. 2018

    Wi-Fi becomes standard

    Every trim gains Lincoln Connect 4G Wi-Fi; Select and higher trims add powered lumbar adjustment for both front seats.3

  8. 2019

    Chrome mesh replaces the split wings

    The split-wing grille gives way to chrome mesh and revised LED headlights; pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking become available.910

  9. 2020

    Corsair takes over

    MKC production ends in 2019 after model years 2015–2019. For 2020, the Corsair replaces it as Lincoln moves away from MK names.3

Every generation

  • Mercury Mariner
    Mercury Mariner2005–2011
  • Lincoln C concept
    Lincoln C concept2009
  • Lincoln MKC concept
    Lincoln MKC concept2013
  • Lincoln MKC
    Lincoln MKC2015–2019

Power over the years

From 203 hp to 285 hp in 1 year.

0100200300 2014201620182020 hp 2014 · 203 hp · China launch 2.0 turbo2015 · 240 hp · 2.0 EcoBoost2015 · 285 hp · 2.3 EcoBoost AWD2016 · 240 hp · 2.0 turbo FWD/AWD2016 · 285 hp · 2.3 turbo AWD2019 · 245 hp · 2.0 turbo, 93-octane rating2019 · 285 hp · 2.3 turbo AWD, 93-octane rating 285 hp 2.3 EcoBoost AWD 203 hp China launch 2.0 turbo
671011
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
2014203China launch 2.0 turbo
20152402.0 EcoBoost
20152852.3 EcoBoost AWD
20162402.0 turbo FWD/AWD
20162852.3 turbo AWD
20192452.0 turbo, 93-octane rating
20192852.3 turbo AWD, 93-octane rating

Versions

9 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    Premiere

  • Select

    Standard

    Select

  • Standard

    Reserve

    2015

  • Performance

    2.3 EcoBoost AWD

    285 hp

  • Special

    Black Label

  • Special

    Black Label Oasis

    2016

  • Special

    Black Label Modern Heritage

    2019

  • Special

    Black Label Indulgence

    2019

  • Special

    Black Label Center Stage

    2019

How to spot one

Look for

  • Early face: split-wing grille flanked by HID headlights.14
  • 2019 face: a broad chrome-mesh rectangle with the Lincoln star in its center.39
  • Full-width taillights and liftgate seams that wrap around the rear corners.10
  • Pedestal-mounted side mirrors, a high beltline and low shoulders shape the side view.14
  • Glowing Lincoln welcome mats appear beneath both front doors as you approach.13

Year by year

  1. 2015 cars (recall)

    Some cars put the start/stop button below the gear buttons; recall repairs replaced the shift module and relocated it.15

  2. 2016

    The dashboard touchscreen changed from MyLincoln Touch to SYNC 3.23

  3. 2019 front

    A broad chrome-mesh grille with a central Lincoln star replaces the split wings; redesigned LED headlights complete the new face.39

  4. 2019 rear

    Rear styling gained fresh chrome highlights.13

  5. 2019 Reserve

    An optional Rialto Green cabin pairs deep green with black ash wood trim.13

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Lincoln MKC
    MKC
    Photo of a Ford Escape
    Ford Escape

    Ford Escape

    Similar profile; check for the MKC's full-width rear lighting and wraparound liftgate.1114

  • Photo of a Lincoln MKC
    MKC
    Photo of a Audi Q5
    Audi Q5

    Audi Q5

    The rear hatch has similar side cutlines; look for the MKC's corner-to-corner taillights.1011

Against its rivals

Prices

Price when new
$0$20K$40K$60K 2014201620182020 2015 · $33,995 · US base, 2.0 FWD2015 · $37,630 · US base, 2.3 AWD2015 · $40,675 · US 2.0 Select, as tested2016 · $34,185 · US base, Premiere2016 · $41,385 · US base, Reserve2016 · $47,380 · US base, Black Label2017 · $56,775 · US Black Label, equivalent test spec2019 · $34,920 · US base2019 · $41,550 · US Reserve2019 · $55,730 · US Black Label, as tested 2015 · $33,995 · US base price, 2015 model year
171012
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2015Launch price$33,995US base price, 2015 model year
2015Price when new$33,995US base, 2.0 FWD
2015Price when new$37,630US base, 2.3 AWD
2015Price when new$40,675US 2.0 Select, as tested
2016Price when new$34,185US base, Premiere
2016Price when new$41,385US base, Reserve
2016Price when new$47,380US base, Black Label
2017Price when new$56,775US Black Label, equivalent test spec
2019Price when new$34,920US base
2019Price when new$41,550US Reserve
2019Price when new$55,730US Black Label, as tested

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 9 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “Rustin Cohle meets the MKC”
    • “The reborn studio's first complete vehicle”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 4 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 24 sources
  1. Tested: 2015 Lincoln MKC 2.3 EcoBoost AWD caranddriver.com
  2. All-New 2015 Lincoln MKC Provides Fresh Choice for Small Premium Utility Customers prnewswire.com
  3. Lincoln MKC - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  4. How Reliable is the Lincoln MKC? | Lincoln Problems lincolnproblems.com
  5. Lincoln MKC concept previews 2014 crossover at Detroit auto show autoweek.com
  6. Lincoln MKC launched on the Chinese car market carnewschina.com
  7. Tested: 2016 Lincoln MKC caranddriver.com
  8. Trump Claims Victory in Keeping Lincoln MKC Production in U.S. motortrend.com
  9. 2019 Lincoln MKC Black Label has a new look and some fancy perks boston.com
  10. 2019 Lincoln MKC 2.3 First Drive: Driving Lincoln’s Entry-Level Crossover motortrend.com
  11. 2015 Lincoln MKC 2.0, 2.3 EcoBoost First Test - Motor Trend motortrend.com
  12. Little Luxuries: 2015 Lincoln MKC 2.0T Tested! caranddriver.com
  13. 2019 LINCOLN MKC - Archives 3 a3.myautoworld.com
  14. Sporty 2015 Lincoln MKC Small Premium Utility is Elegant by Design prnewswire.com
  15. Transport Canada Recall - 2015007 - FORD - Canada.ca recalls-rappels.canada.ca
  16. Mercury Mariner - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  17. Lincoln C - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  18. Lincoln MKC Concept - Car Body Design carbodydesign.com
  19. The Big Test: 2015 Luxury Compact Crossovers motortrend.com
  20. The all-new 2015 Lincoln MKC keriblog.com
  21. Lincoln MKC Commercials | Know Your Meme knowyourmeme.com
  22. Spoof My Ride, Please | WardsAuto wardsauto.com
  23. 2015–2019 Lincoln MKC Recalled for Fire Risk, Owners Told to Park Outside caranddriver.com
  24. NHTSA recall 25V572000 - Wenmar Open open.wenmarpro.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • prnewswire.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • lincolnproblems.com
  • autoweek.com
  • carnewschina.com
  • motortrend.com
  • boston.com
  • a3.myautoworld.com
  • recalls-rappels.canada.ca
  • carbodydesign.com
  • keriblog.com
  • knowyourmeme.com
  • wardsauto.com

Photo credits

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