Last updated August 4, 2026
The Lincoln MKX lineup starts with the base MKX, called Premiere in later years, which delivers the model’s quiet ride and core comfort features. Select adds richer leather, wood trim, and useful conveniences; Reserve adds the panoramic roof, navigation, ventilated front seats, and more driver help; Black Label tops the lineup with a designer-themed cabin, richer materials, and premium audio.
The Base Model trim level—sold as Premiere in later years or simply as the base MKX—is the straightforward entry point, centered on a quiet cabin and everyday comfort.
Best for: Shoppers who want the core MKX luxury experience without the upper trims’ extra materials and technology.
Highlights
The Mid-Level trim level, named Select, is the cabin-quality step-up, with real leather, genuine wood, and added day-to-day convenience.
Best for: Shoppers who value a richer interior but do not need Reserve’s full comfort and technology package.
Highlights
Adds Bridge of Weir leather, genuine wood trim, a hands-free liftgate, power-folding mirrors, and a memory steering column over the Base Model.
6 in stock
The Premium Comfort trim level, named Reserve, is the fully equipped mainstream choice, focused on added comfort, visibility, and convenience technology.
Best for: Shoppers who want the MKX’s major luxury and driver-assistance upgrades without Black Label’s themed cabin.
Highlights
Adds navigation, blind-spot monitoring, a panoramic roof, ventilated front seats, and headlights that turn with the road over the Mid-Level trim.
15 in stock
The Top Tier Luxury trim level, named Black Label, is the design-focused flagship with a themed Venetian leather cabin and the richest comfort and audio treatment.
Best for: Shoppers who care most about cabin atmosphere, premium materials, rear-seat comfort, and upgraded audio.
Highlights
Builds on Premium Comfort with a Black Label themed interior, richer leather and trim, a suede-like headliner, 19-speaker audio, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear outboard seats.
1 in stock| Feature | Mid-Level | Base Model | Premium Comfort | Top Tier Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Includes | Select6 in stock | Premiere, base20 in stock | Reserve15 in stock | Black Label1 in stock |
| Recognized trim name | Select | base or Premiere | Reserve | Black Label |
| Cabin focus | Leather and wood trim | Core comfort | Comfort and technology | Designer-themed luxury |
| Liftgate | Hands-free | Power on base versions | Hands-free | Hands-free |
| Front-seat comfort | Heated | Heated; some versions cooled | Heated and cooled | Heated and cooled |
| Built-in navigation | Not standard | Not standard | Standard | Standard |
| Blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alerts | Not standard | Not standard | Standard | Standard |
| Panoramic glass roof | Not standard | Not standard | Standard | Standard |
| Black Label cabin treatment | — | — | — | Themed Venetian leather |
The naming changed over time. Most first-generation MKX models used one main base trim with option packages. From the 2016 redesign onward, the lineup used Premiere, Select, Reserve, and Black Label.
On 2016–2018 models, Premiere is the entry trim. It covers the core luxury features, including heated power front seats, driver memory, rear parking sensors, remote start, and an 8-inch touchscreen.
On 2016–2018 models, Select is the cabin-focused step above Premiere. It adds richer leather, genuine wood trim, a hands-free liftgate, a power-adjustable steering column, and power-folding mirrors.
On 2016–2018 models, Reserve is the well-equipped upper trim. It adds navigation, blind-spot monitoring, a panoramic roof, heated and cooled front seats, and headlights that turn with the road.
On 2016–2018 models, Black Label is the top luxury trim. It builds on Reserve with a designer-themed leather cabin, richer materials, a suede-like headliner, extra seat heating, and a 19-speaker Revel Ultima audio system.
On 2016–2018 MKX models, Select mainly improves cabin materials and convenience. It adds richer leather, genuine wood trim, a hands-free liftgate, a memory-linked power steering column, and power-folding mirrors.
On 2016–2018 models, Reserve adds the more substantial comfort and technology upgrades: navigation, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a panoramic roof, cooled front seats, and adaptive headlights.
On 2016–2018 models, Black Label focuses on cabin atmosphere rather than a major mechanical change. It adds themed Venetian leather, more distinctive trim, a suede-like headliner, heated rear outer seats, and 19-speaker audio.
Yes, on 2016–2018 models the jump is noticeable. Reserve combines the richer cabin and convenience features of Select with navigation, blind-spot monitoring, a panoramic roof, cooled front seats, and adaptive headlights.
Premiere is the straightforward choice among 2016–2018 trims. It keeps the MKX’s quiet ride and core comforts while skipping the richer materials, panoramic roof, navigation, and added luxury details of upper trims.
Black Label has the richest cabin on 2016–2018 models. Its designer themes combine Venetian leather, distinctive trim, and a suede-like headliner. Select and Reserve still improve meaningfully over Premiere.
Reserve is the natural fit among 2016–2018 models. It includes the MKX’s major comfort and technology upgrades without moving into Black Label’s designer-themed cabin and top audio system.
On 2016–2018 models, Reserve and Black Label include blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert as defining equipment. Lower trims may differ by installed packages, so verify the individual vehicle.
On 2016–2018 models, the panoramic glass roof is standard equipment on Reserve and Black Label. Equipment on Premiere or Select depends on the individual vehicle, so inspect the listing or the SUV itself.
Black Label is the 2016–2018 trim identified by the 19-speaker Revel Ultima audio system. It is part of that trim’s emphasis on a richer cabin and a more immersive listening experience.