New MKC takes on new RDX for battle of the 2019 compact crossovers
Battle of the 2019 compact luxury crossovers By Joe Duarte It’s not very often two competing vehicles from rival companies get updated and released at the same time, but with the adoption of the new Lincoln design language, the MKC luxury compact crossover gets redone at the same time as Acura is bringing in a bigger luxury compact RDX SUV, forcing a head-to-head competition for sales. ▲
Fresh new look With the blossoming of the luxury crossover market that has increased 29% in the past decade, Lincoln is hoping to attract more buyers with a refreshed MKC, which does away with the winged grille in favour of the more traditional large meshed centrepiece, to make it more timeless and more competitive with its luxury rivals. ▲
Bigger and more luxurious The Acura RDX gets its most extensive overhaul in a decade, with a fresh new look the company says will herald a new generation of Acura products, starting with a larger cabin that takes the compact up in market a smidgen to the point that it’s larger than the MKC overall. ▲
To capture rival clients “Our redesigned Lincoln MKC offers style, substance and technologies that create an effortless ownership experience. We recognize it takes a lot to attract a buyer from other luxury competitors, but the Lincoln MKC has that kind of appeal and we believe that the new MKC will capture even more luxury clients,” says Kumar Galhotra, president of The Lincoln Motor Company. ▲
Heralding a new era “The 2019 Acura RDX signals the start of a new era for the Acura brand by delivering design, performance and prestige that will elevate its position in the luxury market’s fastest growing segment,” says Henio Arcangeli, Jr., American Honda’s senior vice president of the Automobile Division. ▲
Driver focused technologies As with most new vehicles, the MKC brings a host of driving aids in a core suite of driver focused technologies, including Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection and automatic braking. Using a system of radar sensors and cameras, it alerts the driver to an impeding collision and brakes the vehicle if the driver takes no action. ▲
Safety on watch All Acura RDXs come with AcuraWatch, a suite of safety and driver assist technologies that includes Collision Mitigation Braking with Forward Collision Warning, Road Departure Mitigation with Land Departure Warning, and Low-Speed Follow and Lane Keeping Assist. ▲
Inviting and connected Lincoln wanted the MKC cabin to be quiet, warm and inviting, fitting it with plush, soft-to-the-touch materials and including standard Wi-Fi, putting USB ports throughout and making heated and cooled seats available. ▲
Spacious and tech-forward The increase in vehicle dimensions means an increase in cabin volume for the RDX, with Acura fitting in the latest generation of Acura sport seats, with a lighter frame and more lateral support, and electric adjustability up to 16 ways. Brushed aluminum, stainless steel, open-pore Olive Ash wood trim and Ultrasuede and Milano leather upholstery add a premium feel to the surroundings. ▲
Constantly connected Because today’s buyers expect to be constantly connected, the Lincoln MKC offers standard SYNC 3 working with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to allow occupants to manage audio, phone, navigation and more through the centre stack touchscreen or using steering wheel-mounted controls. ▲
Friendly to the touch The RDX features Acura’s True Touchpad interface, which allows users to use a 10.2-inch HD touchscreen and remote based centre console touchpad, blending the two in an Android-based operating-system. The touchpad is slightly concave for easy centering without taking eyes off the road, and its dimensions are scaled to the centre-stack display, so drivers don’t have to guess where the cursor might show up on the screen. ▲
EcoBoost power Power to the new Lincoln MKC comes from the melding of three technologies — turbocharging, direct injection and twin independent variable camshaft timing — available in two turbocharged engines. The standard mill is a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder that puts out 245 hp, and the optional unit is 285-hp 2.3-litre “four.” Both use a 6-speed automatic to send power to all four wheels. ▲
Segment first 10-speed The Acura RDX keeps power delivery simple, using a 2.0-litre turbocharged VTEC 4-cylinder producing 272 hp that is delivered by a segment first 10-speed automatic to the torque-vectoring Super Handling All-Wheel Drivetrain (SH-AWD), the first Acura to use the new system. ▲
Lighting up a welcome mat Nothing says elegance like neat touches, and on the Lincoln MKC, that means LED lighting in the lower front body and tail lamps that subtly illuminates to greet owners as they approach with the vehicle transponder on their person, as well as a luminous Lincoln welcome mat that projects down from the side mirrors. ▲
Crisp and clean lighting Elegance is readily apparent in the Acura RDX, with the “diamond” grille flanked by “jewelled” LED headlights totalling seven on each side (up from five). At the other end, the LED taillights are presented in a “dragontail” signature. ▲
Effortless ownership Lincoln prides itself on the value it provides owners, and new MKC owners benefit from the availability of the Lincoln Way mobile app that allows control over most vehicle functions from a smartphone, and also Lincoln Concierge that will arrange to pick up the vehicle for service and drop it off again, while leaving behind a loaner, all as standard fitment. ▲
A special A-Spec treatment The 2019 RDX becomes the first Acura SUV to receive the A-Spec treatment, adding distinctive sport appearance upgrades inside and out, including LED fog lights, Shark Gray 20-inch alloy wheels shod with low profile tires, unique lower front fascia, and gloss-black accents for the grille, headlights, side sills and taillights. ▲
Bringing new buyers to the Lincoln brand Since its introduction in 2014, the Lincoln MKC has steadfastly attracted more buyers to the Lincoln brand than any other model, with nearly half of all new buyers coming from other marques such as Lexus and Mercedes-Benz. The 2019 MKC hopes to continue this trend when it arrives in summer 2018. ▲
Developed in America for North America The third-generation RDX was designed and developed in the US, with styling design coming from the Acura Design Studio in Los Angeles, and development from the North American R&D team, based in Raymond, Ohio. It will be built in East Liberty, Ohio and is expected in dealerships in mid-2018. ▲
Keyword: 9 ways new Lincoln MKC matches new Acura RDX