Lincoln MKC (2015) vs. Subaru Outback (2014) Specs

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2015 Lincoln MKC and 2014 Subaru Outback Specifications

Model Year	2015	2014
Model	Lincoln MKC	Subaru Outback
Engine	turbocharged 2.3L I4 DOHC-4v 285 hp@5500 305 lb-ft@2750	3.6L H6 DOHC-4v 256 hp@6000 247 lb-ft@4400
Transmission	6-speed shiftable automatic	5-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain	AWD	AWD
Body	4dr SUV	4dr Wagon
			Difference
Wheelbase	105.9 in	107.9 in	-2 in
Length	179.2 in	189.0 in	-9.8 in
Width	73.4 in	71.7 in	1.7 in
Height	65.2 in	65.7 in	-0.5 in
Curb Weight	3989 lb.	3613 lb.	376 lb.
Fuel Capacity	15.5 gal.	18.5 gal.	-3 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	39.6 in	40.8 in	-1.2 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	56.0 in	56.3 in	-0.3 in
Hip Room, Row 1	54.4 in	0.0 in	54.4 in
Legroom, Row 1	40.8 in	43.0 in	-2.2 in
Headroom, Row 2	38.7 in	39.3 in	-0.6 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	55.3 in	56.1 in	-0.8 in
Hip Room, Row 2	52.8 in	0.0 in	52.8 in
Legroom, Row 2	36.8 in	37.8 in	-1 in
Total Legroom	77.6 in (over 2 rows)	80.8 in (over 2 rows)	-3.2 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum	25.2 ft³	34.3 ft³	-9.1 ft³
Cargo Volume, Maximum	53.1 ft³	71.3 ft³	-18.2 ft³

2015 Lincoln MKC Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Comment
2015	Seat comfort can be highly subjective, partly because human bodies come in many different shapes and sizes. This said, the MKC's driver seat fit me like a glove from the moment I first sat down. The seat bottom is cushier than most, including those in the Acura and Audi, while the seatback is very well contoured. You'll find more lateral support in the Acura, but the Lincoln's seats offer as much as owners are likely to need in a compact crossover. The view forward from this seat is better than in the Ford Escape, as the MKC's windshield doesn't seem as steeply raked and doesn't have oddly curved, fishbowl-effect lower corners. Also, the top of the Lincoln's instrument panel better disguises its considerable depth. The instrument panels in the Acura and in German competitors require no such artful disguising, as they aren't nearly as deep. To the rear, the MKC's windows are at least as small as the Escape's, and smaller than the Acura's and the Audi's. Luckily the side mirrors are large and blind spot warning is an option. see full Lincoln MKC review

2015 Lincoln MKC Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Comment
	Unfortunately, the Lincoln MKC's key weakness is at least as apparent as any of its strengths once one moves beyond the official specs--likely cheated, per Ford's recent practice--and actually sits in its rear seat. The Escape is tighter than most back there, and the MKC is tighter still. Sitting behind my 5-9 self, my knees come within a couple inches of the front seatbacks. Put a tall driver up front, and I wouldn't fit in back. Nearly all competitors have roomier rear seats. You'll find far more shoulder room and rear knee room in the RDX. Perhaps Lincoln should have stretched the MKC's wheelbase a few inches to expand the rear seat. As is, it's about four inches shorter than the RDX, Q5, and Volvo XC60. A roofline an inch lower than the Escape's might improve the exterior's proportions, but it cuts into interior space. see full Lincoln MKC review

None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2015 Lincoln MKC.

2014 Subaru Outback Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Comment
2015	Through the 2009 model year, the Outback (and the related Legacy sedan) had a tight back seat. Though marketed as a midsize car, it was actually a compact. The 2010 redesign dramatically expanded the Outback's interior, especially in the back seat. The 2015 redesign added another inch of shoulder room, such that the Outback (and Legacy) are now not only truly midsize, but rank among the roomiest midsize cars. Rear air vents are offered--in Outbacks with leather. So the tested car lacked them. Some compact crossovers, including the Cherokee, are about as roomy, but they achieve their specs through a more upright seating position. People in the back seat are closer to the front seats, so they don't feel like they have as much room even though they have just as much space for their legs. But they get rear air vents even in the lower trim levels. see full Subaru Outback review

2014 Subaru Outback Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Comment
	The front seats have an unusually high bulge just below my shoulder blades. This feels more odd than uncomfortable, at least to me. The driver's lumbar adjusts, but this affects the area below said bulge. Partly depending on your height your experience might vary. These seats also provide very little lateral support, which admittedly isn't much of an issue given the non-sporting character (and non-sporting tires) of the Outback. I had no such qualms with the armrest on the door. It's wide and cushy. In the front seats' favor, for 2015 Subaru has added fore-aft adjustability to the headrests, a rarity in recent moderately priced cars. The Jeep's cloth seats are too squishy, but they're more form-fittting than the Subaru's, and I find them more comfortable. see full Subaru Outback review

2014 Subaru Outback Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2014	4dr Wagon 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	The front seats are very comfy, and the seat heaters are powerful and warm up quickly. We compared the car to a 2014 Forrester, and we think the OB seats are more comfy-- they have more thigh support. see full Subaru Outback review
2014	4dr Wagon 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	The rear seats are much more comfy than in the old Outback. They took a couple of inches out of the cargo area to give the rear seat more room. The reclining seatback for the rear seats is a nice comfort as well. see full Subaru Outback review

2014 Subaru Outback Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2014	4dr Wagon 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	Minor complaint-- like every other Japanese car I've ever owned, this one also doesn't seem to understand that feet get cold. The heater is great- it provides lots of heat, and quickly. But when you you set it to floor, the hot air hits you in the lower calf, and then rises. The heat never makes it to your feet! see full Subaru Outback review

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