Which compact luxury crossover would YOU rather make monthly payments on, the Acura RDX or Lincoln MKC?
Both models offer plenty of high-end amenities and premium interiors, but is one a smarter choice? Let’s explore.
Starting with the Acura, the only engine it offers a 3.5-liter V6 that delivers 279 horsepower with 252 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard. As you’d expect, all-wheel drive is optional.
When equipped with four-corner traction this drivetrain combination is rated at 19 miles per gallon in urban driving and 27 on the highway. Combined, the RDX should muster a decent 22 MPG.
In comparison, the Lincoln’s top engine offering is a 2.3-liter EcoBoost unit. Surprisingly, it outmuscles the Acura, providing 285 horses and a whopping 305 lb-ft of twist. Like its Japanese rival, a six-speed automatic is the only gearbox offered.
On the efficiency front, an all-wheel-drive version of the MKC equipped with that top engine should return 18 miles per gallon around town and 25 on the highway, figures that result in a combined score of 21 MPG, slightly less than what the RDX delivers. However, for greater efficiency and lower cost a smaller 2.0-liter turbocharged engine is also available.
Dimensionally, the Acura has an edge over the Lincoln. At 105.7 inches, its wheelbase is a fraction of an inch shorter, but its body is more than five inches longer. This helps increase its cargo capacity by an appreciable amount. Maxed out, it provides more than 61 cubic feet. In comparison, the MKC’s best is a little more than 53 cubes.
Despite having a less capacious cabin, the Lincoln counters with a more attractive base price. The MKC starts at around $33,805, including $925 in deliver fees. This is nearly three grand less than the RDX. But is the Acura worth the extra outlay? Well, that’s for YOU to decide! Feel free to compare these vehicles here and make sure to vote in the poll below.
