The Least Expensive Lincoln SUV Isn’t as Popular as It Used to Be
The Lincoln Corsair is the luxury automaker’s smallest and most affordable SUV, residing below the midsize Nautilus and Aviator and full-sized Navigator. The Corsair remains a strong seller in Lincoln’s SUV portfolio, undoubtedly aided by its compact size and a starting price that undercuts much of its competition. However, Lincoln’s most affordable SUV is proving less popular than it once was among buyers.
Lincoln Corsair sales are trending downward in 2023
The compact luxury SUV rank is rife with competition. Still, the American Corsair has been a relative sales success against its German foes from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz and those from across the Pacific, like Lexus and Infiniti. However, 2023 hasn’t been a banner year so far for the Lincoln Corsair.
Annual Corsair sales through August are down 17.4% from over 18,000 units sold this time last year to just under 15,000 models, according to GoodCarBadCar. This is despite a strong August in which Corsair sales were up 32% year-over-year versus August 2022.
For perspective, Lexus has sold over 45,000 NX models so far this year, and the Volvo XC60 and XC40 have combined for over 43,000 units sold. The Cadillac XT4, the Corsair’s American rival, sold over 5,700 units in Q2 — with Cadillac releasing its sales figures on a quarterly basis.
The Corsair’s sales slide has resulted in the compact model being overtaken as the brand’s best-selling model from this time a year ago. Through August, the midsize Nautilus has proved to be Lincoln’s most popular model, with about 1,500 more models sold than the Corsair. Meanwhile, last year, the Corsair outsold its stablemate by nearly 3,000 units.
Overview of the 2024 Corsair luxury SUV
The 2024 Lincoln Corsair may not have the athletic credentials of some of its rivals, like the BMW X3. Still, for those seeking a relatively affordable small luxury SUV with an agreeable price, the Corsair can fit the bill.
The 2024 Corsair is available in three trims, starting at $40,125 and topped by the $55,320 Grand Touring model. The Corsair’s price point is certainly one of its strongest selling points. It’s available for thousands less than even budget-conscious rivals like the Infiniti QX50 or Acura RDX and nearly five figures cheaper than some segment stalwarts like the Mercedes-Benz GLC Class and BMW X3.
Those willing to spend more can opt for features like a 14-speaker Revel sound system, Lincoln’s ActiveGlide semi-autonomous highway driving system, 24-way power-adjustable front seats with massage function, and other amenities to complement the Corsair’s agreeable list of standard features.
The two lower trims are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 250 horsepower and paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive (AWD is available). The top model sports a plug-in hybrid powertrain with 266 horsepower and an estimated 28 miles of all-electric range. This PHEV powertrain pairs with a continuously variable transmission.
The Corsair has its overall strengths, even if it’s clearly not an industry leader in performance, overall luxury, or sales. It remains to be seen if its recent sales slide is simply cyclical. There aren’t many obvious reasons for sales to be down significantly over this time last year.
