2018 Lincoln MKX Pros vs Cons

If you are in the market for a luxury SUV, you have probably come across the Lincoln MKX in your search. This mid-sized luxury SUV has been a popular seller due to its low starting MSRP and the number of standard features it includes. The 2018 Lincoln MKX continues the trend of offering more for less. However, the MKX has a few critical downfalls, including its lacking fuel efficiency. Still, those who are looking for affordable luxury will likely want to take this vehicle out for a test drive before making a final decision.

What's New for 2018?

Not much is new on the exterior of the 2018 Lincoln MKX save for a few body paint colors. On the inside, there are a few new color options, and the steering wheel has been modestly redesigned. Other than that, everything carries over unaltered from the outgoing 2017 lineup.

Ten Reasons You May Like the 2018 Lincoln MKX – The Pros

1. A Quiet Ride

Not a lot of noise gets into the cabin of the the 2018 Lincoln MKX. In fact, the cabin seems to be incredibly well-insulated from wind and road noise. Also, the engine sticks to a nice, quiet hum, even when you take the vehicle up-to-speed on the highway. Nothing will interfere with your ability to hear your music or talk with rear seat passengers.

2. Plenty of Rear Seat Space

Speaking of the rear seat, Lincoln provides a generous amount of head, leg, and shoulder space back there. There are almost 40 inches of legroom in the rear seat, which is enough for taller passengers to extend their legs out a little.

3. The Optional Turbocharged V6 Engine

The 2018 Lincoln MKX has a standard 3.7-L V6 engine gets a moderate amount of power (303 hp and 278 lb-ft of torque, to be precise). However, the optional 2.7-L V6 turbocharged engine really kicks things up a notch. It gets a whopping 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. This engine can help get the MKX from 0 to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds, which is a decent acceleration speed for this class.

4. Seat and Ride Comfort

The Lincoln MKX has plush, well-bolstered seats that are highly adjustable. If you really want to go wild, opt for the 22-way power-adjustable front seats, which make finding a comfy driving position easy. The ride quality is also quite smooth. Regardless of the road surface, the vehicle does a good job of absorbing shocks and eliminating bumpiness in the cabin.

5. Numerous Standard Features

One of the big lures for buying the 2018 Lincoln MKX is the long list of standard features that it offers. This list includes the power liftgate, smartphone app integration with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a rearview camera and parking sensors.

6. High-Quality Interior Materials

The Lincoln MKX's interior lets you know that you are riding in the lap of luxury. The premium leather seats on the higher level trims are beautiful, and the leatherette on the lower trims still manages to look very chic. Stitching on the upholstery looks spot-on, and the paneling along the dash has no real visible gaps.

7. The MyKey System

Lincoln's MyKey technology is programmable by parents who want to set driving limitations for their teenage drivers. Parents can set top driving speeds, change the low fuel alert warning to give an earlier indication, and make it so that blind spot monitoring cannot be deactivated.

8. The Driver Assistance Package

The Driver Assistance package really is the optional package to buy for the MKX. It includes adaptive cruise control, collision warning with active braking, and lane-keep assist with a driver alert. Adaptive cruise control was added to this package for the 2017 model year and is a huge bonus for drivers who are constantly driving on busy highways.

9. The Sync3 Infotainment System

The Sync3 infotainment system is one of the most user-friendly that you will find. It comes with a standard 8-inch touchscreen display and has a clearly-organized interface. The digital controls are well-labeled and perform functions as expected. You can swipe on it just like you would a smartphone, so it won't take long for non-tech-savvy drivers to get used to it.

10. The Towing Capacity

When equipped with the Trailer Tow package, the 2018 Lincoln MKX is able to tow up to 3,500 pounds. This is a pretty decent capacity for a luxury SUV and puts it at the top with a few other notable contenders.

Reasons You May Not Like the 2018 Lincoln MKX – The Cons

1. Diminished Rear Visibility

Unfortunately, drivers need to rely on the rearview camera for a good view of what is behind the 2018 Lincoln MKX. The rear window is pretty small, and the rear roof pillars are chunky, which obscures the driver's view.

2. A Below-Average Fuel Economy

Fuel economy is generally lacking on SUVs in this class, so don't expect much when shopping for this type of vehicle. The MKX, however, slates below quite a few competitors with its 16-18 mpg city/23-25 mpg highway EPA ratings. It's not the worst, but definitely not the best.

3. The LATCH System

Child safety seats are difficult to secure. The LATCH system has lower anchors that tend to be buried deep into the seating, and the upper tethers blend in a bit too well with other seating apparatuses.

4. Options Get Expensive

There are some good stand-alone and package options, but they will turn a modestly-priced luxury SUV into a rather pricey purchase. If you are shopping on a budget, consider a similarly-equipped non-luxury vehicle, as there are a few out there.

How it Stacks up to the Competition:

2018 Lincoln MKX vs. 2018 Audi Q5

The 2018 Audi Q5 is loaded with standard AWD, tons of tech and safety features, and has an impressively quiet and smooth ride quality. The biggest downfall is that the Q5 only offers one engine option, even though it performs well enough.

2018 Lincoln MKX vs. 2018 Cadillac XT5

2018 Cadillac XT5 is a close rival for the MKX, as it is pretty affordable and is loaded with standard features. However, the powertrain on the XT5 isn't terribly impressive, and the infotainment system is not as refined as the MKX's Sync3.

Conclusion

The 2018 Lincoln MKX has a few noticeable issues that Lincoln will hopefully iron out in the future. Rear visibility is a lot better on many of the vehicle's competitors. However, the MKX offers a huge list of features and, at its starting MSRP, is pretty competitively priced. You will just have to go sparingly on options if you have a restrained budget.