Lincoln may not be the top luxury automaker, but it’s making headway. And the new Corsair is giving the brand some much-needed attention. In fact, on U.S. News‘ list of the 22 most luxurious SUVs of 2021, the 2021 Corsair beat out competitors like the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLB. Is the Lincoln Corsair really that great, though?

There’s a new Lincoln in town

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair isn’t the new kid on the block. That was the 2020 Corsair. Even so, the 2021 model is still fresh enough to stand out from the crowd. The question is if it can continue to do so.

Lincoln designed the Corsair to replace the MKC. So far, the Corsair hasn’t done much to change the auto world, but Lincoln has established itself as a reliable automaker, and the Corsair is helping to cement that reputation.

The 2021 model stands out from the previous model by adding a plug-in hybrid variant. Though this is nothing ground-shaking, giving consumers the option of going green is always a good move for an automaker.

There’s no doubt the Lincoln Corsair is a luxury SUV

Though the 2021 Lincoln Corsair didn’t leave U.S. News totally wowed, it boasts features that feel at home in a luxury SUV. Both the front and back seats are comfortable enough for adults, and there’s even a neat trick that’s rather new. For anyone who needs more legroom in the back, instead of harassing the front passengers to scoot their seats forward, back-row occupants can move their seats back. This isn’t exactly a game-changer, but it makes life just a little easier for taller individuals who dread sitting in the back.

The seats for the standard model come with synthetic leather upholstery. And aluminum accents give the Corsair a classy look. For those who willing to upgrade to the Regent, that trim offers genuine leather upholstery and wood trim.

What failed to impress U.S. News was the small touchscreen. It measures only 8.0 inches, which is decent, but many competitors have larger screens. Even so, the Corsair makes up for the small screen with plenty of standard features. They include two USB ports, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, satellite radio, a 10-speaker premium stereo system, and a Wi-Fi hot spot.

There’s also an astonishingly long list of standard safety features. The 2021 Lincoln Corsair offers forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, forward automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, a rearview camera, and rear parking sensors.

Plus, parents will love Lincoln’s MyKey, which lets them control the audio volume and speed limits for secondary drivers. New teen drivers might be thrilled, but it’s a nice touch.

The specs aren’t spectacular, but they’ll do 

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair offers three powertrains. The standard engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that making 250 hp. The 2.3-liter turbo-four can produce 295 hp, and the hybrid comes with a 2.5-liter turbo-four and two electric motors harnessing a combined 266 hp. 

None of these engines are earth-shattering, though. Each provides a smooth, decent drive, but each also lacks an athletic drive expected with luxury vehicles. That said, most drivers won’t mind. 

But the 2021 Lincoln Corsair‘s real highlight that helps it stand out in a competitive field is its price. It starts at $36,105. Though that might make some consumers cringe, it’s still a relatively low price for a luxury SUV.

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