2023 Lincoln Corsair
Overview
Hidden behind the luxury façade of the 2023 Lincoln Corsair lurks a humble Ford Escape, but a thick veneer of premium materials effectively masks its middle-class origins. The Corsair’s road manners and cabin environs mimic those of its larger and more expensive Lincoln stablemates. Most models come with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder but a plug-in hybrid is also offered—though it requires springing for the top Grand Touring trim. Lincoln’s take on luxury differs from European rivals such as the Audi Q5, the BMW X3, and the Mercedes-Benz GLC-class, and it may not align with the taste of driving enthusiasts. No matter. It’s an upscale package, one that aims at satisfying those who value comfort above driving thrills.
What’s New for 2023?
Lincoln’s smallest SUV offering gets a light facelift for 2023 that includes a redesigned grille and exterior lighting elements as well as new wheel designs. The plug-in hybrid Grand Touring model gets fresh satin metallic exterior trim with blue accents to indicate its place atop the Corsair hierarchy. The Corsair’s cabin also sees a handful of improvements, starting with a larger 13.2-inch infotainment screen and a newly standard 12.3-inch digital gauge display. The center console has been reworked, as has the panel where the Corsair’s climate controls are located. Two new interior themes have been added—Smoked Truffle (sounds delicious) and Eternal Red (sounds devilish)—each with its own set of unique trims and upholsteries. The more powerful turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine has been dropped from the lineup, leaving the 250-hp turbo 2.0-liter and the 266-hp 2.5-liter plug-in hybrid as the two available powertrains.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Standard
$39,885
$44,270
Grand Touring
$54,580
The Reserve trim is where it’s at. For the large step up in price, Lincoln provides several must-have items such as 19-inch wheels, a hands-free power liftgate, fog lamps, a 14-speaker Revel stereo system, in-dash navigation, SiriusXM satellite radio, a power-adjustable steering column, genuine wood interior trim, and heated front seats covered in Bridge of Weir leather with 10-way power adjustability and memory settings for the driver. From there, we’d exercise caution, as the Corsair’s option packages carry big price tags.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
A 250-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder is the entry-level engine for the Corsair and comes on the Standard and Reserve trim. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard, as is front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive will cost you extra. In our testing, an all-wheel drive Corsair with the turbo-four managed a 60-mph run in 6.1 seconds. Key rivals such as the Q5 and the Porsche Macan are quicker and more satisfying to drive, though. The plug-in-hybrid model pairs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with an electric motor, a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and all-wheel drive. At our test track, the PHEV model managed a 7.0-second zero-to-60-mph time but we weren’t impressed with the powertrain’s unrefined sounds.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
According to the EPA, the front-wheel drive model with the turbo-four is good for 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway, while opting for all-wheel drive drops the city number by 1 mpg. When we tested an all-wheel-drive example on our 75-mph highway fuel economy route, it delivered 30 mpg. The EPA says the plug-in-hybrid model—which we have not yet tested—will provide up to 28 miles of all-electric driving range and is rated for 34 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. For more information about the Corsair’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The 2023 Corsair boasts a handsome cabin that’s similar to those in other SUV offerings from Lincoln, such as the Navigator, Nautilus, and Aviator. It’s upholstered in soft leather and offers plenty of features. Adjustable ambient lighting, 24-way power-adjustable seats, a head-up display, and an app that allows users to unlock, lock, and start the vehicle with their smartphone are all available—although ordering such items will add a princely sum to the bottom line. Two special interior themes are available as options. The first—Smoked Truffle—adds a series of warmly-toned trims and upholsteries to the Corsair’s cabin while the second—Eternal Red—provides a throwback look with deep red-colored leather and bright aluminum trim. The Corsair’s cargo bay is generously sized. We managed to fit eight carry-on suitcases behind the rear seats, beating the X3 by one case. Lowering the rear seatbacks opens up enough room for 21 cases in total.
The Car and Driver Difference
Infotainment and Connectivity
A 13.2-inch touchscreen running Lincoln’s Sync 4 infotainment system is standard, as is a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. The interface is fairly easy to use, and handy mini-joysticks on the steering wheel help the driver avoid reaching for the screen too often. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration come on every model but in-dash navigation costs extra on the base Standard trim. Going with the Reserve model swaps the Corsair’s 10-speaker stereo system for a 14-speaker Revel setup and adds SiriusXM satellite radio with real-time traffic and weather updates.
How to Buy and Maintain a Car
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
All models come standard with a suite of driver-assistance features that Lincoln calls Co-Pilot360, but unlocking high-tech assists such as Lincoln’s ActiveGlide hands-free driving system requires upgrading to the optional Co-Pilot360 2.1 Drive system. For more information about the Corsair’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist Available adaptive cruise control with hands-free driving mode
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Lincoln’s standard powertrain warranty is more generous than its German rivals. Buyers of Lincoln’s Black Label models are treated to a four-year/50,000-mile complimentary scheduled maintenance plan, but because the Corsair isn’t offered in the Black Label trim, its buyers will have to go out of pocket for all oil changes, tire rotations, and the like.
Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers six years or 70,000 miles No complimentary scheduled maintenance
Specifications
Specifications
2020 Lincoln Corsair 2.0T AWD
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback
PRICE AS TESTED
$54,375 (base price: $45,825)
ENGINE TYPE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement
122 cu in, 1999 cc
Power
250 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque
280 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm
Transmission
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): struts/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 12.1-in vented disc/11.9-in disc
Tires: Michelin Primacy Tour A/S, 225/55R-19 99V M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 106.7 in
Length: 180.6 in
Width: 74.3 in
Height: 64.1 in
Passenger volume: 103 cu ft
Cargo volume: 28 cu ft
Curb weight: 3988 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
Rollout, 1 ft: 0.3 sec
60 mph: 6.1 sec
100 mph: 17.6 sec
130 mph: 37.3 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 6.8 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.4 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 4.4 sec
1/4 mile: 14.7 sec @ 93 mph
Top speed (C/D est): 130 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 163 ft
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 22 mpg
75-mph highway driving: 30 mpg
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 24–25/21–22/28–29 mpg
2021 Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, front-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $51,485/$61,035
POWERTRAIN
DOHC 16-valve 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle inline-4, 165 hp, 155 lb-ft + AC motor, 196 hp (combined output: 266 hp; 14.4-kWh lithium-ion battery pack)
Transmission: continuously variable automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 13.0-in vented disc/11.8-in disc
Tires: Continental CrossContact LX Sport
245/45R-20 99V M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 106.7 in
Length: 180.6 in
Width: 76.4 in
Height: 63.8 in
Passenger Volume: 101 ft3
Cargo Volume: 27 ft3
Curb Weight: 4588 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 7.0 sec
1/4-Mile: 15.4 sec @ 92 mph
100 mph: 18.6 sec
120 mph: 31.0 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 6.7 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 3.1 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 4.3 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 121 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 172 ft
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 24 MPGe
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 33/32/34 mpg
Combined Gasoline + Electricity: 78 MPGe
EV Range: 28 mi
C/D TESTING EXPLAINED
More Features and Specs
