| MSRP | $37,200 |
|---|---|
| Edmunds suggests you pay | $36,943 |
Introduced last year as a replacement for the MKC small crossover SUV, the Lincoln Corsair shares much of its underlying design with the Ford Escape. As a Lincoln, though, the Corsair boasts a more upscale look and nicer interior materials. It also offers some cool tech features, such as the ability to use your phone as the SUV's key, and a 295-horsepower four-cylinder engine upgrade that's not available for the Escape.
For 2021, the Corsair is mostly unchanged. But a new plug-in hybrid powertrain option will come later in 2021. Offered on the Grand Touring trim level only, this plug-in hybrid Corsair should offer around 25 miles of all-electric power before it switches over to regular hybrid operation.
The 2021 Corsair is the least expensive path to Lincoln ownership, and it's priced and packaged to compete with both extra-small and small SUVs from other premium brands. Overall, it emphasizes hushed comfort and fancy detailing, leaving outright performance to the likes of the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC. Learn more by reading our full Expert Rating of the 2021 Corsair.
Our verdict | |
The Corsair replaces the unloved MKC, and its swath of improvements makes it easy to see why Lincoln abandoned the name. Consider the Corsair's enhanced dynamics and hugely impressive interior, and it's hard to believe these two SUVs came from the same automaker. The Corsair is much more competitive against rivals than the MKC ever was, but some aspects don't live up to luxury-class standards. | |
How does the Corsair drive? | |
The Corsair is a surprisingly capable performer. The steering is well weighted and responsive at highway speeds, and body roll is controlled with the adaptive dampers in their sport-themed Excite setting. The 2.0-liter Corsair's 0-60 mph time of 6.7 seconds is average for the class, but it does better than any rival in a non-performance trim with its 60-0 mph stopping distance of 111 feet. That said, the brakes feel grabby at the top of the pedal stroke. No matter how gradually you ease on down to a stop, it feels jerky. The transmission is not befitting a luxury car, shifting harshly and sometimes exhibiting clunks through the drivetrain. (This is less noticeable with the 2.3-liter engine.) The engine stop-start system delivers a hefty shove if the engine kicks on while the car is stopped. | |
How comfortable is the Corsair? | |
As to be expected of a Lincoln, the Corsair is a comfortable vehicle overall. Dual-zone climate control allows you to set a maximum fan speed in the automatic setting in case you prefer a mild breeze over gale-force cooling. Wind and tire noise is well muted. Engine noise is virtually nonexistent unless you wring the motor out to near its redline. The optional adaptive suspension keeps the Corsair controlled over a variety of surfaces, though incurring bumps at higher speeds can result in body oscillation with the dampers in the Normal setting. A custom drive mode is not offered. The standard 10-way adjustable seats are less finicky than the optional 24-way seats, but you can feel the structural elements underneath, and they don't offer four-way lumbar adjustment. | |
How’s the interior? | |
Though a dedicated shifter is more natural, we like the new transmission "keys" more than the previous MKC's push-buttons. The steering wheel joysticks drew a mixed reaction, but we all liked the contextual adaptive cruise control markers — distance and controls only illuminate with the adaptive cruise control active. The Sync 3 infotainment system reacts a little slowly but remains easy to use. Visibility is also excellent. Driver and passenger ergonomics can be an issue. The doorsills are wide and high, so drivers with mobility issues might find it challenging to exit the front. Pronounced upper-back padding and a forward-tilted front headrest direct your eyes downward somewhat. With compromised legroom and hard-shell front seats, sitting in the back can be uncomfortable for tall passengers. | |
How’s the tech? | |
A modern luxury car should feel high-tech, and the Corsair delivers. Charging solutions include three USB-A ports, one USB-C input, a wireless charging pad and a three-prong outlet. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, though the Sync 3 infotainment system forces the user to use smartphone navigation apps if a phone is plugged in. The voice recognition software doesn't detect much natural speech. The 14-speaker Revel audio system is a wonder. It has more punch at lower volumes than competing systems, so it sounds good even with the volume turned down. At higher volumes, only truly punishing tracks sound muddy. Driver aids work well for the most part, but we could never get the automated parking function to work in our tester. | |
How’s the storage? | |
With the Corsair's cargo area opening at your knees, you won't have to lift heavy bags high to load them in. However, the cargo cover (which partially lifts with the tailgate) is hinged close to its rearward end, so you have to bend to load items in. The cargo area measures 27.6 cubic feet with the rear seats up and the seats slid back and 57.6 cubes with them folded. Both measurements are average for the class. The bin below the center stack is sizable, but most of the other pockets — while numerous — are on the small side. The car seat anchors are easy to find, and you can access the tethers without removing the cargo cover. The hard front seatbacks might prove challenging for fitting rear-facing car seats. | |
How’s the fuel economy? | |
With the 2.0-liter engine and all-wheel drive, the Corsair get an EPA-estimated 24 mpg combined (21 city/29 highway). The combined and city estimates are decidedly middle of the pack, though the highway rating is a tick higher than others. Our real-life fuel economy matched the estimates, with 28.9 mpg achieved on a nearly all-highway tank and 19.8 mpg on a city-heavy tank with lots of stop-and-go traffic. | |
Is the Corsair a good value? | |
The Corsair's base cost undercuts competitors by thousands of dollars, and it has a few features that are often optional on rivals. But if you want a well-equipped model with the 2.3-liter engine — which works better with the Corsair's transmission — prices creep closer to more illustrious competition. However you option it, interior materials are as good as anything you'll find in the rest of the class. Our tester also had a loose arm pad that rattled when the audio system was pumping. Overall warranty coverage is average for the class, while the powertrain is covered for a bit longer than usual. The first two scheduled maintenance visits are covered. We also like the pickup and delivery service — a Lincoln dealer will pick up your car for service, drop off a loaner, and then return your car to you. | |
Wildcard | |
The Corsair's pièce de résistance is its upscale interior. The aluminum trim on the dash looks great, the piano black isn't a smudge magnet, and you'll find faux leather and soft-touch plastics everywhere. There are few hard plastic touch points, though the hard front seatbacks are disappointing. As with most vehicles in this class, the Corsair isn't inherently fun to drive, but buttoned-downed handling separates it dynamically from non-luxury vehicles. While the engine is quick, the crummy transmission saps some of the fun you might have on a twisty back road. | |
Lincoln offers its entry-level SUV in Corsair, Reserve and Grand Touring trim levels. The Grand Touring is new for 2021 and denotes the plug-in hybrid version of the Corsair.
NOTE: This video is about the 2020 Lincoln Corsair, but since the 2021 Lincoln Corsair is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.
2021 Lincoln Corsair
2021 Cadillac XT4
Cadillac is a natural competitor to Lincoln, and its entry-level SUV is called the XT4. Smaller and less refined than the Corsair, the Cadillac XT4 is nevertheless roomy for people if not cargo. It also offers nimble driving characteristics, and base prices are within a few hundred dollars of the Corsair. However, the XT4 lacks polish, and it can't match the Lincoln Corsair in ownership perks.
Touted as a world-first engine technology, the Infiniti QX50's innovative variable-compression turbocharged four-cylinder engine promises both performance and fuel efficiency. On paper, that's true. In the real world, the QX50's continuously variable transmission and hefty 2-ton curb weight conspire against it. It does, however, offer impressive cargo and passenger space for the segment. Read Edmunds' long-term road test of the Infiniti QX50.
Bold design, turbocharged power, a roomy passenger compartment, and Lexus reliability and refinement are the primary draws of the NX 300. The styling, however, is not appealing to everyone. Also, the NX 300's infotainment system interface is a regular source of frustration, and the cargo space behind the back seat measures barely bigger than a Lexus ES sedan's trunk. The newer Lincoln Corsair is a worthy alternative to this aging Lexus.
Lincoln continues to round out its SUV offerings by adding a plug-in hybrid powertrain to the newly introduced Corsair. The 2021 Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with two electric motors to create an estimated total system output of 266 horsepower. With one motor dedicated to driving the rear wheels, the Corsair Grand Touring will have on-demand electric all-wheel drive, a first for Lincoln.
Electrification is slowly but surely becoming a bigger part of the luxury landscape, and Lincoln doesn't want to be left behind. The Corsair is aimed squarely at introducing younger buyers interested in alternative power to the brand. A strong PHEV offering from Lincoln would both help capture those buyers and ease their transition to any future all-electric Lincoln products.
The small luxury plug-in SUV market is surprisingly robust these days. At this year's LA Auto Show, PHEV versions of both the Mercedes-Benz GLE and BMW X3 were on display. Both are more powerful than the Corsair Grand Touring, but Lincoln's range estimates are slightly longer.
Edmunds saysThe 2021 Lincoln Corsair adds the Grand Touring trim, a plug-in hybrid designed more around efficiency and luxury than added performance.
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2021 Lincoln Corsair:
The least-expensive 2021 Lincoln Corsair is the 2021 Lincoln Corsair 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $36,105.
Other versions include:
