2019 Lincoln MKT

While the Lincoln MKT has only been around for seven years, it certainly feels like a lot longer. This is primarily because the luxury midsize SUV has not evolved much over that time. It was subjected to a few much-needed facelifts, although Lincoln didn't do much to improve its aesthetics, and not enough was changed under the surface. Still, it remains strong in the areas where it has always excelled, with a powerful engine and plenty of space in the cabin, even if seating seven is a bit ambitious. However, as a daily driver it falls behind similar rivals like the Acura MDX, while German segment leaders like Mercedes, BMW, and Audi make it look like a complete fossil. The MKT has the advantage of being cheaper, especially if you consider its top trim against competitors but the price still seems steep for what you get. We can only hope that the redesign planned for the next generation MKT helps to close the enormous gap between the American and German SUVs.

The MKT is reasonably priced for a midsize luxury SUV, with the base model starting at $49,500. Pack-leaders ask for a few thousand more on their introductory trims. The upper-tier trim doesn't increase the price by much but, considering how little it adds, it can feel like a cheeky price hike. The starting MSRP on the Reserve is $52,500. These prices exclude tax, licensing, registration, and the $995 destination charge.

Sporty driving or any semblance of agility is not where the large SUV shines. Apart from its large dimensions, the MKT is also incredibly heavy, causing it to lurch uncomfortably around turns, so taking them at anything higher than regular speeds is not advised. The adaptive suspension helps a bit, but this is by no means a nimble vehicle.

The steering doesn't help inspire confidence, featuring the same lightness we've come to expect from luxury SUVs. There is little or no communication from the wheels, so you will be relying more on the driver-assist features than hands-on drivers might prefer. But as a more family-oriented vehicle, the sharp steering is well-suited for low-speed maneuvers around town.

Despite all these negatives, the Lincoln redeems itself when it comes to comfort and ride quality. The suspension adapts to road conditions to provide optimum support over even shoddy surfaces without disturbing cabin occupants too much. Coupled with the very comfortable seats, this delivers a smooth and calming ride that is very much in-line with what we would expect from a luxury vehicle, allowing you to calmly enjoy the scenery as you cruise down the highway, since the interior is certainly nothing to look at.

It wouldn't be hard to see that, with its host of advanced safety features and superior interior comfort, the MKT was almost certainly a great car - once upon a time. However, it hasn't weathered the years well, looking a lot older than its seven years of production would suggest.

What does still keep the MKT in the running are the few things that it does do quite well. The interior is well-built and spacious, aside from the tight spacing of the third row of seats. These could conceivably be used for toddlers or very small children, but will most likely serve as extra trunk space.

Standard features abound, especially in this final year of the MKT's lifespan, but newer rivals still offer more features that are more up-to-date, too. The Sync 3 infotainment system is easy to use and manages to stay relatively current, but it doesn't offer Wi-Fi like most modern luxury SUVs.

The low price tag, when compared to rivals like BMW or Mercedes, is appealing until you consider that the Lincoln gets pretty terrible fuel consumption figures, but with this being the final year of production, you may be able to get an even better deal on it. But based on the SUV's track record, it may be better to look at more modern competitors, although the Lincoln Aviator may be able to recapture our attention.

There is very little cost difference between the base MKT and the Reserve, but the upper trim offers a few extra advanced driver-assist features. So, it's no surprise that we recommend going for the top trim. Passing up on the lane-keeping assist and automated parking assist would be a big no-no.

Mechanically, the Ford Flex is identical to the Lincoln MKT. But the differences become more apparent inside the cabin, where the lower quality of the Flex becomes obvious. While it also seats seven, the cloth-appointed seats tell you that luxury is not the focus here. The front seats feature only six-way power-adjustability, and the infotainment screen is half the size of the MKT's. The sound system is less advanced and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto don't come on the base model. But the Flex does beat the MKT in one regard; it is more spacious and offers more cargo space, thanks to its boxier design. Almost all the Ford's shortcomings drop away when you upgrade to the top-most trim, however, leaving a near-luxury-level wagon with more space than the expensive Lincoln variant. If you are really comparing these two vehicles, then opting for the most expensive Flex trim shouldn't be an issue; and if that's the case, we suggest it over the Lincoln MKT.

As the slightly smaller sibling to the MKT, the 2018 MKX has quite a bit to recommend it. Apart from simply looking better than the larger SUV, it offers significantly more cargo capacity due to the lack of a third row of seats. Interior space is less, but negligibly so, and at the higher trim levels, the MKX is just as luxurious as its big brother; but, the price tag can exceed the top-tier MKT if you're not careful. The MKX gets a choice of two engines, with the more powerful turbo 2.7-liter V6 still producing less power at 335 hp and 380 lb-ft, but the much lighter SUV can match the twin-turbo V6's acceleration and offers significantly better handling and maneuverability on the road, without sacrificing on ride quality. With a long list of standard features that match the quality on the MKT, and advanced safety features available quite early in the trim levels, the Lincoln MKX seems to be the better and more affordable daily driver, unless you really need the extra seating in the MKT.