Does Lincoln's new MKC work for you?

By Bill McLauchlan

A couple of days ago I outlined how the all-new 2015 Lincoln MKC made life a tad more comforting by rolling out its illuminated welcome mat for a driver approaching the small premium utility vehicle's exterior.

Full-time four-wheel-drive is standard on MKCs, in showrooms next summer as 2015 models.

Nice touch, as Ford Motor Company's upscale division strives to regain its luxury market mojo. But there's a few more interesting driver-enhancement features under its stylish bodywork to make life easier, safer and more convenient for you too.

Something that will strike a responsive chord with many drivers is a centre console sporting nice, big round knobs for tuning the radio, adjusting volume levels. There's another for working the air-conditioning down and left of the steering wheel. That's a welcome change from those tiny, hard-to-locate push buttons, slide controls or touch screens found in so many contemporary vehicles. In the MKC, those hefty knobs are simple to fathom, a breeze to use – especially when driving at night and you're adjusting secondary controls by feel – and a boon for older drivers whose stiffening fingers make fine-tuning a bothersome task.

A blast from the past: The MKC has a push-button automatic transmission (see centre console on left).

Another intriguing addition is something some of you may recall from Chrysler products of late-1950s and early 1960s vintage. I'm talking about a push-button transmission, in this case also found on Lincoln's larger MKZ model. Unlike the bulky, chromed buttons in the Chrysler era, the MKC's PRND controls are set in a vertical series of flat-faced switches ranged down the left side of the centre console. Nicely integrated and easy to reach.

There's also a standard full-time four-wheel-drive system for Canadian buyers. It's an option for those customers south of the border.

While the MKC shares much of its basic platform with the Ford Escape some of its running gear is noticeably better. The track – distance side-to-side between wheels – is wider, resulting in a more solid visual stance and improved handling. And if you like a smooth ride to go along with that handling upgrade you'll appreciate the MKC's continuously controlled damping system, which offers Sport, Comfort or Normal settings. It reads the road and reacts every 20 milliseconds to help the suspension soak up life's unexpected bumps.

Other electronic aids include Lane Keeping Assist, that uses rear-view mirror mounted cameras to correct momentary lapses in lane discipline. There's also a Blind Spot system that warns you of close-in traffic. A Collision Warning system flashes, beeps and then brakes automatically if you haven't been paying attention to what's ahead and dash-mounted cameras to monitor driver alertness, delivering a warning chime then a pop-up message on the left-hand screen cluster to snap you out of your stupor. And, as if that isn't enough, there's even a new twist on the Park Assist function. It not only steers you nicely into a tight parking spot but now it has "Park Out" to help get you out of that same tight spot, all without touching the steering wheel.

Speaking of not touching things, let's not forget the MKC's kick-open tailgate, just like that on the popular Ford Escape. Swipe your foot beneath the rear bumper and up pops the rear hatch. Great for those times you're loaded down with shopping bags, luggage or other bulky items.

If all that this new MKC has doesn't work for you, I guess there's always a self-driving car.