Why I Switched From Lexus RX To 2019 Lincoln MKC

In this guest post, a Torque News reader explains the reasons why a person with two Lexus RX crossovers just switched to the 2019 Lincoln MKC

“A Lincoln?” This was the response from the car-loving men in my life when I told them I was interested in the MKC. I was looking to trade in my 2013 Lexus RX350 which I had bought three years ago as a preowned. The full warranty had run out and I had started having problems with it and the service department at my local dealership.

I had driven the Mazda crossover but it did not have the power of my Lexus. I live in Nevada and the driving here requires me to floor it at least once every time I drive. If I lived in a city or small suburb the Mazda would be a great choice as I drive from red light to red light in bumper to bumper traffic. But the Mad Max roadways of Las Vegas need more horsepower than the Mazda offered. (Here is how Mazda could fix that problem)

Related Story (Different Person) - European vs. Japanese Cars: Why I switched From BMW X3 to 2018 Mazda CX-5

I also cross-shopped and drove the Audi SQ5 performance crossover which had more tech than the space shuttle and probably drives more stiffly than that shuttle. I did love that it had two screens- one for Apple CarPlay and one for Nav… at least I think that’s how that worked, it was all very confusing. A very nice young man promised me he could teach me to use the technology but I think he overestimated my learning abilities and did not quite understand how much time we would be spending together if I chose that car.

The Lexus NX is the prettiest girl in the room. But it, too, lacked horsepower. The NX is so beautiful I might have overlooked the HP but for the previously mentioned problems with the Lexus service department. In this modern age of 2018, my husband should not have to talk to the dealership for me in order to get the warranty coverage I was entitled to. Maybe that kind of old-school "take advantage of the gal" thing will happen anywhere but I can tell you it won’t happen to me at Lexus again because I’ll never buy another one.

So why a Lincoln? I Googled, “Crossovers with the most horsepower.” I found the MKX. When I got to the dealer they told me about the MKC which was a better size for my needs. I reluctantly agreed to drive it because they told me 2.3l AWD engine promised 285 horsepower, the same as my FWD Lexus 350. I don’t really need AWD in Vegas weather, but it’s not a negative. I drove it and was pleasantly surprised the 4 cylinder engine was so powerful- and that wasn’t even in sport mode!

The MKCs I test-drove were beautiful inside. The wood grain is gray matte and they actually had the color vehicle I wanted - and the interior I wanted- which hasn’t happened to me in my life as a car owner. The driver’s seat is the most comfortable I have ever been in- even before I adjusted the lumbar support. The seat also cranked up high so I’m up like a bus driver.

The tech was easy and intuitive: old school dials and buttons but also touch screen and Apple CarPlay, something neither my Lexus nor my husband’s newer Lexus has (Yup, we are that crazy couple with two Lexus RX 350s). It felt roomy in the cabin and my arm, when rested, actually did reach the armrest. With my Lexus I had to buy a cushion so my arm met the rest. It has a kick activated hatch door and a capless gas tank. Small things, but two among many I loved.

The sales rep was proud to show me how it can parallel park for me. Being from Boston this is something I can do myself… but it can also get you out of a spot that’s tight which I had never seen a car do.

Lincoln was excited to point out the new grill they have on all of their models. I liked the winged grill they just phased out so this was not a selling point for me. But the new grill is modern and classy.

So why the Lincoln? When I went to the dealership the service manager and I got to talking about cats and before I knew it we were looking at live streaming video of his cat at home and I almost bought right then and there. A pleasant sales experience matters. It wasn’t that or the grill that sold me. It was the handling of the crossover- which is tight but not stiff and comfortable like a living room on wheels. And the engine-which I’ll admit has a tiny lag (turbo lag?) that my Lexus did not have but then it really moves. And little touches that I feel were made for me, from the dealership to the interior and the exterior sold me on the vehicle.

My Seven favorite things about my new Lincoln:

1. Horsepower.
2. Cabin comfort.
3. Easy tech.
4. Pretty AF.
5. Remote start via an App
6. Cooled seats
7. Great dealer experience.