Overview
Living up to the standard of your bigger siblings can be a difficult task, but it’s not one that the 2024 Lincoln Corsair struggles with. It elbows its way into the showroom next to the Aviator, Nautilus, and Navigator with a large helping of Lincoln-ness, including high-end materials, a plush ride, and plenty of curb appeal. A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder is standard and makes 250 horsepower, but upgrade to the Grand Touring trim and you’ll unlock a plug-in hybrid powertrain with 266 ponies. Although Lincoln has gone to great lengths to hide it, the Corsair is based on the humble Ford Escape crossover, so those hoping for a joyful cornering attitude like that found in rivals such as the Audi Q5, the BMW X3, and the Porsche Macan will be disappointed. But if you’re someone whose idea of luxury includes quiet cruising and a soft, ride, the Corsair delivers exactly that.
What’s New for 2024?
The Corsair’s base trim has been renamed Premiere starting with the 2024 model year. The only other change to Lincoln’s smallest SUV is that models equipped with the BlueCruise hands-free driving feature come with a complementary four-year subscription to that service rather than the two years that were included in previous model years.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The Reserve trim is where it’s at. For the 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 2024 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.
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.
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 BlueCruise 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
2023 Lincoln Corsair AWD
Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $42,385/$60,685
Options: Equipment Group 202A (rain sensing wipers, power tilt/telescoping steering column, auto-dimming rearview mirror, 60/40 split rear seat with power seatback release, head-up display, adaptive dampers, auto dimming and heated sideview mirrors with power folding, inductive device charging, hands-free liftgate, heated-and-ventilated front seats, panoramic roof, Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.1 driver assist with a two-year subscription of ActiveGlide with lane-change assist and in-lane repositioning, intersection assist 2.0 and driver-monitoring camera, Active Park Assist 2.0, front parking aid, 14-speaker Revel stereo, windshield wiper de-icer, heated steering wheel and outboard rear seats), $10,730; Reserve trim (ambient lighting, leather seats, jeweled LED headlamps, if you’ve made it this far give the Tech Department a shoutout in the comments, roof-rack side rails), $4385; 24-way Perfect Position front seats, $1285; 20-inch Bright Machined alloy wheels, $1150; Whisper Blue Metallic paint, $750
ENGINE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 122 in3, 1999 cm3
Power: 250 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque: 275 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 vented disc
Tires: Continental CrossContact LX Sport
245/45R-20 99V M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 106.7 in
Length: 181.4 in
Width: 74.3 in
Height: 64.1 in
Cargo Volume Behind, F/R: 58/28 ft3
Curb Weight: 3983 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 6.1 sec
100 mph: 17.5 sec
1/4-Mile: 14.7 sec @ 93 mph
120 mph: 28.8 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.4 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 7.0 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 3.6 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 4.3 sec
Top Speed (C/D est): 130 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 179 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.83 g
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 24/21/28 mpg
C/D TESTING EXPLAINED
More Features and Specs
