View Photos of the 2021 Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring PHEV

Michael SimariCar and Driver

The compact-luxury SUV segment is swelling with plug-in-hybrid options, including the Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring. Positioned at the top of the model range, the electrified Corsair is notably slower and more expensive than lesser models but does bring usable electric-only capability.

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The Corsair Grand Touring model is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder augmented with two electric motors and a 14.4-kWh battery pack, which produce a combined 266 horsepower.

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The Grand Touring features a continuously variable transmission instead of the eight-speed automatic found in lesser Corsairs. All-wheel drive is standard, with the rear axle powered solely by a 67-hp electric motor.

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Compared to the Corsair’s conventional 250-hp 2.0-liter and 295-hp 2.3-liter variants, both of which can reach 60 mph in about six seconds, the Grand Touring requires an additional second to reach that mark.

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The Corsair Grand Touring has an EPA-estimated range of 28 miles, as well as official ratings of 78 MPGe under gas and electric power and 33 mpg with the battery depleted. We averaged 24 MPGe during our testing.

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The Grand Touring has effective electric-only capability around town and can safely merge to highway speeds on electrons alone, topping out at 85 mph in EV mode.

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A Preserve EV drive mode can slowly recharge the Grand Touring’s battery by running the gas engine all the time.

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Blue exterior badges and optional model-specific 20-inch wheels are the Grand Touring model’s only visual cues.

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The Grand Touring’s gas engine is louder and sounds less refined than the Corsair’s two available turbocharged four-cylinders.

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The Grand Touring model starts at $51,485—roughly $5000 more than the next priciest Reserve trim with all-wheel drive—and can easily top $60K with options.

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Though attractive and high-tech, the Grand Touring’s interior features a rather small 8.0-inch center touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster that doesn’t display as much information as we’d like.

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