[humpty dumpty]

This seems to be a consistent choice considered by the membership here, now that we have more robust specifications available lets have a look at how the two newest premium compact crossovers will compete. Unfortunately NX has still not been priced for North America so that conversation will have to wait for another day.

Engines

MKC: 2.0L Ecoboost 4 Cylinder or 2.3L Ecoboost 4 Cylinder
NX: 2.0L Turbo 4 Cylinder or 2.5L Hybrid 4 Cylinder

Power and Torque

MKC: 2.0L (240 hp/ 270 lb-ft) 2.3L (275 hp/ 305 lb-ft)
NX: 2.0L (235 hp/258 lb-ft) 2.5L H (194 hp/ NA)

Dimensions in Inches (LxWxH)

MKC: 179.2 x 84.1 x 65.2
NX: 182.3 x 72.6 x 64.8

Wheelbase

MKC: 105.9 in
NX: 104.7 in

Unfortunately Lexus hasn't provided us with interior dimensions either so we cannot compare the two on that basis as of yet, however these are MKC's interior dimensions we can fill in the NX later

Interior Dimensions

MKC:

Headroom
38.7 in (983 mm): Front
38.1 in (969 mm): Rear

Legroom
42.0 in (1068 mm): Front
38.3 in (973 mm): Rear

Hiproom
55.7 in (1415 mm): Front
53.8 in (1367 mm): Rear

Shoulder Room
58.7 in (1490 mm): Front
57.2 in (1454 mm): Rear

NX:

???

 

[DeMarco]

I looked into the NX a bit more and it seems like it will be for those that want something much more sportier and more sports-car like. Meanwhile the MKC is more relaxed, that alone should create a good divide.

 

[AU MKC]

the front of that Nx is horrendous..design on crack

 

[CombsAuthor]

Great post!
The comparison is very appreciated.
I'm surprised that they are that comparable in size and dimensions. It will certainly come down to price and brand recognition.

 

[rbreeze]

humpty dumpty, thanks for posting the photos & figures re MKC vs NX.
I'm not much of a fan of the (polarizing) styling on the NX, but I guess some people will like it. It's obvious that Lexus, with their "road warrior" NX, are targeting quite a different demographic as compared to Lincoln, with their elegantly styled MKC.

 

[HotRod]

Sometimes a dramatically styled vehicle just needs a little time to sink in. The Cherokee for example, went from being roundly criticized then to acceptance and now the majority of people think it's actually quite attractive. I can't say the NX will follow the pattern. I think it's more likely to reach acceptance and stop there. Some will surely find it attractive, but that grille is just so polarizing I suspect there will always be those who will be put off by it. It appears Lexus wants it that way. I find the MKC's exterior far more elegant (and far less likely to frighten small children). Isn't that what a luxury car is suppose to be? Elegant?

I do like the Lexus interior. It seems a bit cramped, or maybe "cozy" is a better word, but it's quite attractive in a chunky sort of way. The seats will have to be amazing to one-up the MKC's chairs, however. I also like the Lexus' traditional shifter. E-shifters seem to be the answer to the question nobody asked. At least Lincoln uses push-buttons to free up console space. The BMW's electronic shifters don't save any room, and functionally they're inferior to a traditional gated shifter. So what's the point?

Speaking of the shifter, when you are visiting your Lincoln dealerships, ask the salesperson how you get the car into neutral if it won't start and you have to have it towed. I asked mine, the dealership's Sales Manager, and he had absolutely no idea how the car goes into neutral without power. I could see by the look on his face he was shocked by the question as well as concerned about what the answer might be. You can bet tow truck drivers won't know what to do, so MKC owners need to find out.

I recall a story on the BMW forums about an X1 that broke down shortly after leaving the dealership. Blocking traffic and without a way to get it into neutral, the flat bed driver hooked it up and dragged it onto the flatbed with all four wheels locked! You can imagine the potential damage that would cause. Apparently there is a way to disengage the BMW's transmission without power, but it seems to be a well kept secret because after nearly two years of ownership I never did find out.

 

[TxTom]

Sometimes a dramatically styled vehicle just needs a little time to sink in. The Cherokee for example, went from being roundly criticized then to acceptance and now the majority of people think it's actually quite attractive. I can't say the NX will follow the pattern. I think it's more likely to reach acceptance and stop there. Some will surely find it attractive, but that grille is just so polarizing I suspect there will always be those who will be put off by it. It appears Lexus wants it that way. I find the MKC's exterior far more elegant (and far less likely to frighten small children). Isn't that what a luxury car is suppose to be? Elegant?

I do like the Lexus interior. It seems a bit cramped, or maybe "cozy" is a better word, but it's quite attractive in a chunky sort of way. The seats will have to be amazing to one-up the MKC's chairs, however. I also like the Lexus' traditional shifter. E-shifters seem to be the answer to the question nobody asked. At least Lincoln uses push-buttons to free up console space. The BMW's electronic shifters don't save any room, and functionally they're inferior to a traditional gated shifter. So what's the point?

Speaking of the shifter, when you are visiting your Lincoln dealerships, ask the salesperson how you get the car into neutral if it won't start and you have to have it towed. I asked mine, the dealership's Sales Manager, and he had absolutely no idea how the car goes into neutral without power. I could see by the look on his face he was shocked by the question as well as concerned about what the answer might be. You can bet tow truck drivers won't know what to do, so MKC owners need to find out.

I recall a story on the BMW forums about an X1 that broke down shortly after leaving the dealership. Blocking traffic and without a way to get it into neutral, the flat bed driver hooked it up and dragged it onto the flatbed with all four wheels locked! You can imagine the potential damage that would cause. Apparently there is a way to disengage the BMW's transmission without power, but it seems to be a well kept secret because after nearly two years of ownership I never did find out.

Possibly Page 174/175 of the Owner's Manual can help...speaks to "brake-shift interlock override." Does say 12 volt battery needs to operating. If not, guess the tow truck could provide that?

Brake-Shift Interlock Override
Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the brake lamps are working.

E155990
174
WARNINGS
MKC (TME), enUSA


Transmission
WARNINGS
When doing this procedure, you will
be taking the vehicle out of park which means the vehicle can roll freely. To avoid unwanted vehicle movement, always fully set the parking brake prior to doing this procedure. Use wheel chocks if appropriate.
If the parking brake is fully released,
but the brake warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly. See your authorized dealer.
Note: See your authorized dealer as soon as possible if this procedure is used.
Note: For some markets this feature is disabled.
Note: This feature will only function if your 12-volt battery has power.
Use the brake-shift interlock override to move your transmission from the park position in the event of an electrical malfunction or if your vehicle has a dead battery.
1. Apply the parking brake and turn your ignition off before performing this procedure.
E180636
2. Locate your brake-shift interlock access slot. The slot is located in your center console storage bin. The access slot does not have a label.
Note: Make sure that you correctly identify the access hole as not to damage the media hub.
3. Using a tool, press and hold the brake shift interlock switch. The shift buttons on the instrument panel will flash when your vehicle is in override mode.
175
4. With the override switch still held, press the N (Neutral button) to shift from park.
5. Release the override button.
6. Your vehicle will remain in Stay in Neutral mode for wrecker towing purposes or can be shifted to the desired gear and driven (if possible).
7. Release the parking brake.

 

[HotRod]

Possibly Page 174/175 of the Owner's Manual can help...speaks to "brake-shift interlock override." Does say 12 volt battery needs to operating. If not, guess the tow truck could provide that?

Brake-Shift Interlock Override
Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the brake lamps are working.

E155990
174
WARNINGS
MKC (TME), enUSA


Transmission
WARNINGS
When doing this procedure, you will
be taking the vehicle out of park which means the vehicle can roll freely. To avoid unwanted vehicle movement, always fully set the parking brake prior to doing this procedure. Use wheel chocks if appropriate.
If the parking brake is fully released,
but the brake warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly. See your authorized dealer.
Note: See your authorized dealer as soon as possible if this procedure is used.
Note: For some markets this feature is disabled.
Note: This feature will only function if your 12-volt battery has power.
Use the brake-shift interlock override to move your transmission from the park position in the event of an electrical malfunction or if your vehicle has a dead battery.
1. Apply the parking brake and turn your ignition off before performing this procedure.
E180636
2. Locate your brake-shift interlock access slot. The slot is located in your center console storage bin. The access slot does not have a label.
Note: Make sure that you correctly identify the access hole as not to damage the media hub.
3. Using a tool, press and hold the brake shift interlock switch. The shift buttons on the instrument panel will flash when your vehicle is in override mode.
175
4. With the override switch still held, press the N (Neutral button) to shift from park.
5. Release the override button.
6. Your vehicle will remain in Stay in Neutral mode for wrecker towing purposes or can be shifted to the desired gear and driven (if possible).
7. Release the parking brake.

I believe that's it. Good find! For most owners I'm sure it will never be needed. But it is a good idea to understand that it can be done, even if the exact procedure isn't committed to memory.

 

[humpty dumpty]

All fords already have shift lock and there is a manual override...

however, I've been trying to find one specific to MKZ as it too has push to shift and have not been able to locate!

 

[psychoart]

This seems to be a consistent choice considered by the membership here, now that we have more robust specifications available lets have a look at how the two newest premium compact crossovers will compete. Unfortunately NX has still not been priced for North America so that conversation will have to wait for another day.

Engines

MKC: 2.0L Ecoboost 4 Cylinder or 2.3L Ecoboost 4 Cylinder
NX: 2.0L Turbo 4 Cylinder or 2.5L Hybrid 4 Cylinder

Power and Torque

MKC: 2.0L (240 hp/ 270 lb-ft) 2.3L (275 hp/ 305 lb-ft)
NX: 2.0L (235 hp/258 lb-ft) 2.5L H (194 hp/ NA)

Dimensions in Inches (LxWxH)

MKC: 179.2 x 84.1 x 65.2
NX: 182.3 x 72.6 x 64.8

Wheelbase

MKC: 105.9 in
NX: 104.7 in

Unfortunately Lexus hasn't provided us with interior dimensions either so we cannot compare the two on that basis as of yet, however these are MKC's interior dimensions we can fill in the NX later

Interior Dimensions

MKC:

Headroom
38.7 in (983 mm): Front
38.1 in (969 mm): Rear

Legroom
42.0 in (1068 mm): Front
38.3 in (973 mm): Rear

Hiproom
55.7 in (1415 mm): Front
53.8 in (1367 mm): Rear

Shoulder Room
58.7 in (1490 mm): Front
57.2 in (1454 mm): Rear

NX:

???

I have the MKC right now, and I don't see any NX anywhere. Which figure has won at this point?

Even if the NX is here, I don't see how it could come close to Lincoln's 2.3L version using 87 octane because I will be still in the front with 275hp*.

Exclusive keyless entry pad, kick-in open/close powered hatch, bridge of weir leather, and Lincoln's signature full-width LED rear lights (especially when you are the one biting the dust in my rear-view mirror ).

Checkmate!

--------------------------
* 285hp @ 93 octane fuel.

 

[DeMarco]

that is true, with that much power and only requiring you to use 87 octane, it's really a killer combo, going premium just doesn't cut it, which i'm afraid the lexus might require.

 

[sg021]

The Lexus will require premium. Using regular in the MKC 2.3 at the moment would save about 10% on fuel costs over premium where I am. To me that makes the equivalent MPG pretty decent, and for the type of driving I do it will probably bring it close to the 24 MPG combined of the NX.

There are a lot of things I like about the NX, but my interest in it has been waning since packaging details were released. What I would consider a fully loaded NX can't be purchased, especially in the US. If you want adaptive variable suspension, the boost meter, or a front profile that isn't a beak you have to buy the F-Sport that doesn't have a bunch of creature comforts available. If you live in the US there's also no 835 Watt sound system, HUD, Surround view parking assistance, or pano roof available. The official 0-60 is the slowest, or close to it, in class.

They also need to get crackin' on a larger turbo now that they've got a small one. Lexus is so concerned about reliability that it takes them eons to come out with these conservative powertrains.

 

[sg021]

On a side note, the X3 and Q5 are up for major redesign in the coming years, which is semi-relevant to me since I'll be buying a 2016 MY vehicle most likely. The segment will really be cutthroat when that happens.

I am not a fan of VW/Audi reliability, but the 354 HP, 516 lbft torque triple turbo diesel (3rd turbo is actually electric driven to eliminate lag) really has me drooling.

Maybe the X3 will finally have cooled seats at that point

 

[DeMarco]

The Q5 is what i look forward to. Always loved audi design and what they will do to the next gen model is what is on my mind.

 

[JefffromNH]

2015 Lexus NX starts at $34,480* - Autoblog

Here the prices of the Lexus NX , just waiting for next week for the F sport price.

 

[harborbreeze]

The Lexus and Caddy both look like they belong in a Transformer movie.

Too polarizing for me.

 

[sg021]

According to one of the members of the Club Lexus forum who works for Lexus the base prices are as follows:

NX 200t $34,480
w/ AWD $35,880

NX 200t F SPORT $37,240
w/ AWD $38,640

NX 300h $39,720
w/ AWD $41,310

 

[JefffromNH]

2015 Lexus NX 200t Turbo Review - YouTube

Not bad under 40k for the F Sport Lexus NX . I will test drive one next month to see witch one I like better NX or MKC with 2.0 reserve engine and compare total price.

 

[sg021]

2015 Lexus NX 200t Turbo Review - YouTube

Not bad under 40k for the F Sport Lexus NX . I will test drive one next month to see witch one I like better NX or MKC with 2.0 reserve engine and compare total price.

I should also note that doesn't include $925 destination charge. Package info was also posted here:
NX Specs, Packaging, and Pricing Thread - Page 13 - Club Lexus Forums

 

[DeMarco]

2015 Lexus NX 200t Turbo Review - YouTube

Not bad under 40k for the F Sport Lexus NX . I will test drive one next month to see witch one I like better NX or MKC with 2.0 reserve engine and compare total price.

keep us posted on how that goes, have you ever driven a newer lexus?