CAR REVIEW – 2015 Lincoln Black Label MKC Luxury Crossover SUV

I was provided with a week long test drive of the Lincoln MKC Black Label featured in this post. This post has not been monetarily compensated. Please note that, as always, any personal opinions reflected in this post are my own.

Do you have something that you wear that isn’t totally obvious to the world that makes you feel special, almost as if you’re part of a unique club? For some folks it’s lucky socks. For others it’s fancy underwear or a pretty bra. For others still it’s a piece of jewelry. For men it might be a tie tack or cuff links. Each of these things could be visible to other parties, if you chose to let them into your personal space to do so. You can get this feeling in your car now to, with the introduction of Lincoln’s Black Label trim package.
I’m pretty familiar with the Lincoln brand. My Mom has owned at least three of them. The Lincoln MKC model became available for purchase in the 2015 model year. For me, the idea of driving one of the new Lincolns was exciting in and of itself. Discovering the vehicle I was to have for a week was to have the Black Label trim was super exciting.
My first glimpse of the Black Label package was on a 2015 Lincoln MKC. First, let me tell you a little about the Lincoln MKC.

The Lincoln MKC is a crossover SUV. Measuring 105.9 inches, the wheelbase of the MKC is very comparable in size to the Lexus NX, and only slightly smaller than the Ford Edge and the Chevrolet Equinox. The vehicle seats five people. While my youngest, who is on the small side, fits well in the back, I cannot imagine driving any great distance with three full-size adults back there. I found the front seat to be very comfortable, and I had more than enough headroom and “belly” room.


One of the things I really like about crossovers is their ability to carry both people and stuff. Filling it easily with just a weekly grocery haul, I found the back storage compartment of the MKC to be smaller than I expected. My Mom uses a motor scooter a lot and it’s become her measurement for storage space. Unlike her Lincoln, the storage in the back of the MKC would be able to hold a scooter similar to hers and not much more. In my mind, the MKC resides far more on the car side of crossover than suv. A feature that I really appreciated is the ability to open the tailgate with a wave of your foot under the rear bumper.

The MKC has All Wheel Drive. The six-speed automatic transmission is electronically controlled, and handled flat, hilly and curved roads without major issue. Acceleration was decent and the ride smooth. Adaptive Cruise Control will match the speed of the vehicles ahead of you without any intervention on your part. The vehicle will slow and resume speed as needed in order to maintain a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of it. Safety features include blindspot detection, forwards collision warning and lane keeping. The Lane Keeping feature helps the driver maintain position inside of the lane, and will gently steer you back into place if you wander a bit.

The MKC handled well. It incorporates an adaptive suspension system that allows you to select from comfort, normal and sport driving modes. The MKC also offers Active Park Assist, which will make you smile like there’s no tomorrow if you dislike parallel parking. Just approach a space you want to park in and the car will ascertain if it can fit into it and then park itself there. If you’re not a fan of tight spaces, Park Assist will also get you safely out of the space as well.

When approaching the car from the outside, the exterior lights brighten and a lighted Lincoln logo shines onto the ground so you can see the doorway of the vehicle. Once inside the cabin you can’t help but immediately notice the Panoramic Roof spanning both the front and back seat. If you didn’t notice the Panoramic Roof first, it is very likely that you noticed the center console.

There is no shifter, all of the gear buttons are located on the left side at the top of the console. This turned out to be something I had a very difficult time getting accustomed to. Settling into the cooled and heated front seats, you have the opportunity to get a better look at the console.

The console contains the screen for the infotainment system, and lots of buttons and knobs. You’ll also find a couple of cup holders and USB jacks for charging your devices. I found the ride to be very quiet, with little noise interference from the outside. Speaking of noise. The stereo did not turn out to be quite as impressive as I’d hoped. There were almost more speakers than I could count, and yet the sound just never quite seemed to be as full or as loud as I wanted it to be at that moment.

Now, about the Black Label.
Remember that unique club I mentioned earlier in this post? That’s what Lincoln Black Label is. The only way someone outside of your vehicle will know you’re in this “club” is if they notice that the letter C in the MKC is black. When you purchase a Black Label edition, you are getting more than just the vehicle. You’re also get a complete personal experience that starts with your purchase.You can’t purchase a Black Label model at just any dealer. Black Label models are available only at a limited number of dealers in certain markets that have completed an extensive certification process. These markets are located within certain areas of New Jersey, New York, California, Florida, Michigan and Texas. The number of dealers expected to offer Black Label models is expected to grow in the year 2016.
The experience continues with delivery and finishes a four-year 50,000-mile premium maintenance plan that covers all maintenance and wear, including free car washes and an annual detailing. Owners can even have exclusive dining experiences at upscale restaurants belonging to the Black Label Culinary Collection network.
Purchasing a Lincoln Black label starts with your concierge. This specially trained liaison will meet you at your home or office to discuss the car you are purchasing and its available options. The big decision is which theme you want your car to have. The themes provide a distinctive appearance comprised of a combination of premium interior materials and colors. How are you to decide? The liaison will bring a big trunk containing samples of all of the materials, as well as a special Black Label presentation on a tablet.
There are several interior themes available for MKC:

• Oasis – Influenced by Eastern Culture, Oasis speaks to those who wish to reduce the chaos in their lives and escape to a luxurious, calm, and peaceful environment. Characterized by a harmonious, subtle, two-tone interior in soothing shades of cream and tan, this theme encourages serenity and peace of mind.
• Center Stage – Inspired by fashion of the theatre world, Center Stage is the perfect theme for those with a flair for the dramatic. Onlookers will be envious of a Jet Black leather interior accented by Foxfire Red Alcantara.® Delighting every passenger, this theme accurately depicts the excitement of a curtain skirting across the main stage on opening night.
• Indulgence – Celebrate the rich allure of chocolate with Indulgence. Fulfill your craving with a sumptuous interior that evokes a feeling of warmth similar to holding a cup of delicious hot cocoa. Ganache and Truffle leathers come together, creating a singular sensory experience that entices—just like a fine piece of chocolate.
• Modern Heritage – Modern Heritage is the perfect theme for those who appreciate a clean, modern aesthetic. A high-contrast black-and-white interior is highlighted by Crimson stitching, creating a timeless ensemble of elegance without opulence.
• Thoroughbred – Celebrate the distinguished and elite lifestyle of horse racing with Thoroughbred, a reflection of traditional American history. Featuring a Jet Black interior with rich Chestnut leather, this theme is the perfect companion for the equestrian enthusiast.
• The Muse – Inspired by the relationship between a famous Dada artist and his muse, this theme features specific materials that emulate traditional embellishments and a duotone palette of Rouge Noir and Quartz leather that explore the culture of the Roaring Twenties.

Once your purchase is completed, you can have your car delivered to your home (as long as you live within 30 miles of the dealer you’re purchasing from).

The color of the MKC that I drove was called Notorious, and the theme of the interior was Modern Heritage. The bright and bold blue of the exterior as stunning. The blue carried through to the inside, where it appeared in the form of ambient lighting at night. Everything about the interior coordinates. I thought the distinctive “piano” appearance of the wood and the texture of the materials on the door really made a statement. During the week I had the MKC, my gas mileage averaged out to about 21-22 miles per gallon.
If you’re looking for a luxury car that represents your true you, the Lincoln Black Label is worth a look.
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