LINCOLN CORSAIR SMALL LUXURY SUV

Offering an all-new and sophisticated sense of being, the new Lincoln Corsair is a great example of one of the most upscale compact luxury crossovers in the segment today. Designed to surround its passengers with elegant design, soft-touch materials and high-line infotainment, the Corsair impressed us all-around and out-of-town. Napleton News takes a look at this compact but luxurious vehicle. Buckle up and ride along with us.

What’s the Corsair all about?

Classified as a compact luxury SUV, the new Lincoln Corsair is a five-passenger, two-row vehicle that ticks all the boxes for what people want in such a sled. It is available with three different powertrains, including an all-wheel drive Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV). Standard engine choices include a 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-4 making 295 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Finally, the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 powering our tester delivers 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are matched to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The 2.0-liter can be had with front- or all-wheel drive. The 2.3-liter is exclusively AWD.

The 2.5-liter PHEV Corsair joins the range with a 14.4 kW lithium-ion battery. It is motivated by an Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine and two electric motors that combine for 266 horsepower. The rear wheels of this AWD crossover receive electric power that is sufficient to propel it up to 25 miles.

The new Lincoln Corsair is a looker

Think of the Lincoln Corsair as a scaled-down version of the Lincoln Aviator. It still maintains the two-box design that is typical of other SUVs but at the same time stands on its own. Our test model included the monochromatic trim package, which included a body-colored grille and other features that are colored in the same shades.

As part of the Premium Package, our Corsair could include a panoramic vista roof. A huge opening with power sunshade, it’s just the thing for those wanting to let the sunshine in. A set of 19-inch alloy wheels and heated leather front seats helps to round out the package.

Packages? Did you say packages?

Speaking of packages, let’s talk about trim lines. The base Corsair Standard model, which features FWD, is powered by a 2.0-liter turbo-4 and eight-speed automatic transmission. It includes desirable features like a power liftgate, pushbutton start, dual-zone climate control, LED lighting, active noise control and Sync 3 Infotainment, along with an 8-inch touchscreen display.

The Corsair Reserve is a step up from the Standard and includes leather seating to dress things up further. Inside, buyers will find dressy wood trim, a panoramic sunroof, 14-speaker Revel audio system and voice-activated navigation.

All Lincoln Corsairs are equipped with the Co-Pilot 360 safety suite. It features many assists, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist and automatic high-beam headlights. The Corsairs also include the Co-Pilot 360 with a blind-spot monitor with cross-traffic alert.

Our Corsair included 16-way power comfort seats with heating and ventilation, individual thigh support, and driver and passenger massage functions inside. Trust us, there is nothing like cruising up the turnpike while getting your knots rubbed out from your back after a day at work!

What’s available?

Our tester was equipped with the optional ($3,000) Technology Package, which loaded it up with nearly all the features we would have wanted anyway. This kit includes a head-up display, Lincoln’s phone-as-a-key app and a Qi Wireless charging pad.

That’s not all: Our Reserve model included the Monochromatic Package with black 20-inch alloy wheels and body-colored bumpers and grille. There are also body-colored rocker panels and badges.

Finally, if you’re feeling sporty, there is the Sport Package. It adds a 2.3-liter turbo-4 engine with all-wheel drive, polished 20-inch alloy wheels, illuminated scuff plates, and a black mesh grille.

Behind the wheel of the Lincoln Corsair

We mentioned how the Lincoln Corsair tends to surround or cocoon you inside. That’s thanks to the Corsair’s active noise cancellation, a second firewall, and more that helps isolate noise from outside the vehicle.

Acceleration from the 2.0-liter turbo inline-4 was on par with other turbo units on the road today. It offered just the right amount of giddy-up when needed to pass the slow movers clogging the highway. If there were a few nits to be picked, it would be in the area of the accident-alert system that sounds an alarm that could wake the dead, even before getting too close to the vehicle in front of you. In other words, we think it’s just a bit touchy and too sensitive.

That and the Auto Start/Stop button. This feature is designed to help make your Corsair more fuel-efficient. But it seems rather intrusive, to the point you will be tempted to turn it off. The trouble is that Lincoln doesn’t allow you to control it via a simple button on the center console. Instead, you must search through the vehicle settings menu and the rabbit hole that will draw you inside. There has to be a better, more elegant solution to what is a very elegant vehicle.

Getting past these niggles will reward a driver with a great, comfortable compact crossover that will feel as at home on the Golf Range as it will at the big-box store.