2018 Lincoln MKX

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Rating7.2

Ranked #12 in 

Midsize SUV
Write Review
$39,035 - $56,725
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on September 26, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Plush ride

Numb steering

No updates or changes for 2018

Upscale and well-equipped cabin

Wooden brakes

Powerful turbocharged engine

Unimpressive dynamics

Specs & Features

$39,035

price

303 hp @ 6500 rpm

horsepower

278 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

torque

6-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

3.7L 6cyl FWD 6A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

It has not been long since Lincoln’s premium midsize SUV got its full make-over. So, like it or not, the 2018 Lincoln MKX stay more or less the same for this model year. The last update this SUV received was in 2017, which brought adaptive steering functionality to the driver assistance package. That said, there is nothing wrong with the SUV as the cabin is quite luxurious in itself while the tech on offer is up to date and on par or even better in some regards on what the segment has to offer currently.

The 2018 Lincoln MKX still comes in 4 trims, namely the Premier, Select, Reserve, and the range-topping Black Label. There are two powertrain options to choose from, with the standard engine being a 3.7L naturally aspirated V6 rated motor rated at 303hp and 278 lb. ft. You could also opt for a 2.7L turbocharged V6, but this time the power does go up to 335hp while the torque figures see a massive jump to 380 lb. ft. A six-speed automatic is the only transmission option and as standard, the SUV comes in front-wheel-drive format. The base prices for the 2018 Lincoln MKX start at $39,035 while the AWD configuration would cost an extra $2,500. At this price, its main competitors would be the Acura MDX, the Cadillac XT5, and the Infiniti QX60.

Buying Advice

Since the introduction of its latest generation back in 2016, the Lincoln MKX has become the most desirable as it has ever been. It ticks most of the right boxes when it comes to luxury and tech while offering refined ride quality and excellent performance from the turbocharged engine option. However, the dynamic capabilities of this chassis are limited owing to the softly sprung setup with the vague steering and wooden brakes not helping improve things in any way. Also, the base V6 is far from what we would title brisk. Overall, the 2018 Lincoln MKX does come out a decent luxury family mover, but apart from that it fails to bring in the enthusiasm of even the SUV it is based on, that being Ford’s lovable Edge.

Trims

    Premiere
    $39,035 onwards
    • 18-inch painted aluminum Wheels
    • Driver Lumbar support
    • Dual Zone Front Automatic Air Conditioning
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    • Leatherette seats
    • Parking assist
    • Siriusxm AM/FM/Satellite
    Select
    $42,550 onwards
    • Engine: 3.7L 6cyl FWD 6A
    • Horsepower: 303 hp @ 6500 rpm hp
    • Torque: 278 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6.3 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 20 mpg
    Reserve
    $46,560 onwards
    • 20-inch machined aluminum Wheels
    • Navigation system
    Black Label
    $54,230 onwards
    • Rain Sensing Windshield wipers

Compare to similar cars

Price

$54,300- $58,500

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

8.41

Horsepower

354 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque

346 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

Capacity

5

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$41,500- $52,100

Gasoline

7.58

252 hp @ 5000 rpm

273 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

5

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$49,900- $65,400

Gasoline

8.23

252 hp @ 5000 rpm

273 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

7

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$47,800- $87,700

Gasoline

8

252 hp @ 5000 rpm

273 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

5

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$35,985- $39,775

Gasoline

6.71

235 hp @ 4800 rpm

258 lb.-ft. @ 1650 rpm

5

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$41,500- $48,700

Gasoline

7.75

250 hp @ 5500 rpm

258 lb.-ft. @ 1500 rpm

5

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$41,800- $65,600

Gasoline

7.33

237 hp @ 5500 rpm

251 lb.-ft. @ 1250 rpm

5

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$43,300- $45,100

Gasoline

7.26

295 hp @ 6400 rpm

270 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

7

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$43,470- $50,520

Gasoline

7.77

295 hp @ 6300 rpm

268 lb.-ft. @ 4700 rpm

5

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$52,090- $67,490

Gasoline

7.48

340 hp @ 6500 rpm

332 lb.-ft. @ 3500 rpm

5

Read Review

2018 Lincoln MKX vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    6.3 sec14.9 sec-
    2018 BMW X3

    Ranked #1

    4.7 sec13.2 sec155 mph
    2018 Audi SQ5

    Ranked #2

    5.1 sec13.8 sec155 mph
    5.7 sec14.1 sec142 mph
    5.9 sec14.5 sec126 mph
    2018 BMW X6

    Ranked #5

    6 sec14.8 sec130 mph

    2018 Lincoln MKX vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      18 mpg25 mpg20 mpg18 gal.306/450 mi.
      31 mpg28 mpg30 mpg17.2 gal.533.2/481.6 mi.
      31 mpg28 mpg30 mpg17.2 gal.533.2/481.6 mi.
      22 mpg29 mpg25 mpg18.8 gal.413.6/545.2 mi.
      22 mpg29 mpg25 mpg18.5 gal.396/522 mi.
      2018 BMW X3

      Ranked #2

      22 mpg29 mpg25 mpg17.2 gal.378.40/498.80 mi.

      2018 Lincoln MKX vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        190 in.76.1 in.66.2 in.7.8 in.112.2 in.
        200.1 in.77.2 in.68.6 in.6.5 in.114.2 in.
        2018 Audi Q7

        Ranked #2

        199.6 in.77.5 in.68.5 in.8 in.117.9 in.
        198.3 in.78.9 in.70 in.7.8 in.112.8 in.
        196.9 in.74.6 in.67.3 in.8.1 in.109.8 in.
        196.9 in.74.6 in.67.7 in.7.9 in.109.8 in.

        2018 Lincoln MKX vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          37.2 cu.ft.108.3 cu.ft.33.5 cu.ft.
          2018 BMW X6

          Ranked #1

          26.6 cu.ft.164.4 cu.ft.59.7 cu.ft.
          38.2 cu.ft.-80.3 cu.ft.
          41.8 cu.ft.103.8 cu.ft.85.7 cu.ft.
          7.5 cu.ft.117 cu.ft.58.5 cu.ft.
          21 cu.ft.151.7 cu.ft.81.7 cu.ft.

          2018 Lincoln MKX vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            33.5 cu.ft.37.2 cu.ft.33.5 cu.ft.73 ft.
            62.8 cu.ft.34.6 cu.ft.62.8 cu.ft.-
            2018 BMW X4

            Ranked #3

            51.8 cu.ft.17.7 cu.ft.49.4 cu.ft.-
            76.5 cu.ft.15.8 cu.ft.76.5 cu.ft.-
            2018 BMW X5

            Ranked #5

            15.3 cu.ft.35.8 cu.ft.12.9 cu.ft.-
            74.9 cu.ft.20.3 cu.ft.51 cu.ft.-

            2018 Lincoln MKX vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              2000 lbs.900 lbs.4168 lbs.
              10330 lbs.1070 lbs.4905 lbs.
              8201 lbs.1841 lbs.4751 lbs.
              7716 lbs.1707 lbs.4488 lbs.
              6600 lbs.1631 lbs.4650 lbs.
              2018 BMW X6

              Ranked #5

              6000 lbs.1110 lbs.4585 lbs.

              2018 Lincoln MKX SUV Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              5

              Recalls

              0

              Investigations

              24

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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