2023 Lincoln Corsair

Features aplenty. If the last section suggests the Corsair is generously equipped, that’s because it is. To be honest, there’s little reason to stray beyond entry-level Standard trim. Costing just $38,690, it includes a power tailgate, powered and heated front seats clad in synthetic leather, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster alongside the aforementioned touchscreen.

AWD-only Reserve models start at $43,075 and bundle in a load of extra goodies. Foremost among these are a head-up display and wireless device charging, a panoramic sunroof and adaptive suspension, plus leather seating with 24-way adjustment and ventilation in the front. You could easily spend over $60,000 specifying a Grand Touring hybrid model with options like a 14-speaker Revel stereo, but the value proposition quickly diminishes.

So there’s a hybrid? There is indeed. However, previous experience of other Lincoln hybrids hasn’t been encouraging, and the plug-in Corsair model doesn’t break with tradition. Fuel economy of 33 mpg combined certainly sounds encouraging, as does a 28-mile electric-only range. Yet acceleration is no better than the lower-output gas-only version, while refinement is also underwhelming and the car is significantly heavier. You’ll also pay $53,385 for it – a full $10,000 more than the Reserve-spec gas model.

When you consider how well soundproofed every Corsair is, the upfront savings offered by the gas-powered model seem compelling. It’ll still hit 60 in seven seconds, returning 25 mpg combined in FWD mode (dropping to 24 as an AWD model), and the silky eight-speed automatic transmission deploys the turbo-4’s 250 hp output quite effectively.

It’s also pleasingly refined in terms of ride quality, meaning the optional adaptive suspension is only needed if you have a penchant for 20-inch tires, while the steering retains decent feel. Overall, the Corsair doesn’t put the Sport into Sport Utility Vehicle, but it’s a car you’d be quite happy to drive down a winding road.

Plush interior design. Having already established that the Corsair is quiet and fitted with an excellent infotainment system, let’s consider the rest of the cabin. This is strictly a five-seater, though you can actually fit three adults into the back without triggering assault claims. The sliding rear bench offers 38.6 inches of legroom and can be reclined, preceding a 27.6 cubic foot cargo bay located beyond a power tailgate.

Up front, a giant bank of air vents bisects the soft-touch dashboard, and it’s nice to see colors other than dark grey being deployed. You wouldn’t know this was a relative of the Ford Escape, especially when perched on a front seat which (in some trims) receives 24-way power adjustment including extending lower cushions and moveable lumbar. The ventilated leather seats on premium models are highly tempting, too.

Final thoughts. Lincoln’s Kentucky plant is churning out some fine vehicles at the moment, and the Corsair is no exception. Changes for this model year have enhanced an already impressive package, with the uprated infotainment system a significant win. The cabin is now one of the best in the crossover/SUV market, with a minimalist dash dominated by a large central touchscreen, while light colors accentuate the brightness that comes from deploying so much glass around the exterior.

The seats are as comfortable as the ride, while the audio system has free rein thanks to extensive sound deadening. Add in perky acceleration and a four-year warranty (albeit lacking scheduled maintenance), and the sub-$40,000 price tag of Standard models looks compelling.

Higher trims are less cost-effective, and the plug-in hybrid Grand Reserve represents particularly poor value for money. It’s almost $10,000 more expensive than the gas model, weighs 140lb more, is no quicker and returns just eight more miles per gallon on the combined cycle.

We’re delighted to see safety enhancements for 2023, but the IIHS has awarded a rare “poor” rating to the headlights in cheaper Corsair models, which is a common theme with other Lincolns. It’s also a shame that a surround-view camera system is on the options list, and there’s no scheduled maintenance as there is with many competitor models.

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