KEY FEATURES:

• Clean Carfax/No accident history!
• On-fob remote start
• SmartKey keyless entry/pushbutton ignition
• leather interior
• heated/cooled front seats
• heated 2nd-row
• heated steering wheel
• panoramic sunroof
• smart adaptive cruise control
• auto power-folding mirrors
• power front seats (driver's seat memory)
• GPS navigation
• large rear camera w/guides
• power rear hatch
• THX-certified AM/FM/CD/SXM/USB/Aux/BT stereo
• handsfree phone/stereo controls
• cargo liner

The MKC has good genetics on its side, as it's mechanically based on the excellent Ford Escape. Note the word "based," as opposed to past Lincoln efforts that were more akin to removing a Ford oval and slapping on a Lincoln badge. It certainly doesn't look much like an Escape. Indeed, if the MKC imitates any particular vehicle, it's the Audi Q5. Lincoln has clearly drawn inspiration from the Q5's distinctive liftgate and integrated taillights, and the profiles of the two are rather similar. But the winged grille is pure Lincoln, and the overall effect is quite pleasing to the eye. The MKC's cabin also pleases with its tasteful wood accents and sleek, high-tech dashboard.

The MKC gets the Escape's more powerful, optional turbocharged engine as standard equipment, but this beauty has the upgraded turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder good for 285 hp and 305 lb-ft of torque.

The 2015 Lincoln MKC comes standard with stability control, antilock disc brakes, a rearview camera, front-seat side airbags, a driver knee airbag and full-length side curtain airbags. Also standard is MyKey, which allows parents to set electronic parameters (such as maximum speed and radio volume) for when teenagers are behind the wheel. Blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and a frontal collision warning with emergency brake priming are optional.

On long highway journeys, the MKC feels smooth and relaxed. And thanks in part to a standard active noise-cancellation system, it's also very quiet. When the road bends, though, the MKC is less appealing. The comfort-tuned suspension allows a lot of body roll, or lean, which cuts back on how precise the MKC feels. All-wheel-drive models feel a bit more nimble in turns thanks to their torque-vectoring technology.

When you first slip behind the MKC's wheel, you may find yourself wondering what they did with the shifter. Since it's all run by computers anyway, Lincoln has elected to present the MKC's transmission as a vertical stack of buttons to the left of the touchscreen, opening up a handy storage area at the base of the center stack where the shift lever normally resides.

Overall materials quality in the MKC stand out… the tastefully finished wood inlays and available leather upholstery impress. The standard MyLincoln Touch (a.k.a. MyFord Touch) system handles Bluetooth, audio, navigation and other vehicle functions via its crisp 8-inch touchscreen which is all improved over past iterations -- tech-savvy owners will likely appreciate the system's capabilities.

The MKC offers 25.2 cubic feet behind the second row and 53.1 cubes with the rear seatbacks folded down.

KEY FEATURES:

• Clean Carfax/No accident history!
• On-fob remote start
• SmartKey keyless entry/pushbutton ignition
• leather interior
• heated/cooled front seats
• heated 2nd-row
• heated steering wheel
• panoramic sunroof
• smart adaptive cruise control
• auto power-folding