mmarshall

All good and valid points.....but one must remember that Lincoln had little choice but to give these incentives, besides introducing what is (arguably) their first decent and truly competitive new product in several years. Unlike Lexus, which had (and still has) a strong position today in the luxury-car market (and your dad, of course, just helped them out a little) , it's no secret that Lincoln has been facing a dicey existence lately.

But that's not the only way that Lincoln seems to be trying to reach out and impress potential customers. I noticed that, at the D.C. Auto Show, Lincoln went to great lengths to create an attractive and comfortable show-display area, with soft leather seats/couches for weary showgoers (who are often on their feet for hours) to sit on, large living-room style reading-lamps and nicely-finished tables to spread out material on and use their laptops or read things. No other manufacturer at the D.C. show had such an attractive or comfortable display area. Of course, comfortable sitting areas don't necessarily sell cars, but it shows that Lincoln is trying to treat potential customers with respect. They also were giving out pre-paid $75 gift-cards for test-drives, although they will unfortunately expire before the new MKX (the center of the Lincoln display this year, as the MKC was last year) is released to dealers this summer. I still plan on test-driving a new MKX, if not a full-review. It's GOT to be better than the last one was (I reviewed a current-geneneration MKX last spring, before the new MKC was released)....and I found it very unimpressive for a luxury-class SUV, essentially just a Ford Edge with some extra trim and standard equipment.

mmarshall

No problem...you bring up some valid points. I agree that not everything on the MKC is better than the NX by any means (And both, IMO, short out some in the engine department, where, despite the power of 4-cylinder turbos, a nice refined small V6 would be welcome). The MKC's doors, despite SOLID exterior door-handles, also aren't particularly solid in the sheet-metal department, and tend to shut with a somewhat tinny clicking noise (typical of a number of Ford products) instead of a solid thunk. But the MKC's rich wood trim and general interior ambience, IMO, helps make up for some of the "Rubbermaid" vinyl/plastic that you mention. It is also available in some (IMO) gorgeous exterior colors that tend to be neglected by most other manufacturers....such as Karat Gold and Tahitian Pearl (which is a dark Amythist Purple).

Toys4RJill

The segment is red hot right now. However, I think the NX will do a better job of attracting a newer younger buyer to the Lexus brand than the Lincoln will.

Toys4RJill

I think the interior is the deal breaker for me. The Lexus looks like a much better design whereas the Lincoln looks like it is straight out of the early 2000s.

I'm also not sold on the PRNDL buttons, they do not look classy or luxurious at all. I don't mind a dial like the RAM but the buttons just don't work for me.

corradoMR2

^^^ LexusCTJill - Agree with your interior design opinions - I feel a similar way, but if the fit/finish and materials were better, I would enjoy the overall interior more.

Mike, nice to hear what Lincoln is doing to re-invent itself. For a die-hard import buyer like myself, the fact that I went to a Ford/Lincoln dealer last summer is a testament to how far they've come. If they can now just put together a world-class interior mated to the build quality we expect when we pay a premium, combine this with a solid exterior design theme they seem to have, and I may be back at their doorstep.

Any pics of the Lincoln setup or any of the NX competitors' at the Detroit Autoshow?

tea

i concur. I'd much rather get a MDX for around $50,000