It’s easy to overlook the newcomers in the luxury SUV for classics like Audi or BMW. But one new arrival you should consider is made by Lincoln. Lincoln’s Corsair boasts “American luxury” and dashing looks. And because of its lower starting price, the Corsair is even more attractive than some of its competitors.

Cruising in the 2021 Lincoln Corsair 

Lincoln introduced the Corsair as an all-new model for 2020, and it effectively replaces the MKC. Critics recognize the Corsair for its composure and smooth ride quality. The Corsair presents three different powertrains. As Car and Driver says, this Lincoln earns praise for its “creamy” driving experience. Although, the Audi Q5 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class are more engaging to drive. 

The Corsair comes standard with a turbocharged 250-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder. The base engine provides enough power to satisfy most drivers. It’s standard with front-wheel drive with all-wheel-drive available as an option.  

There’s also the available turbocharged 295-hp 2.3-liter four-cylinder. The main benefit of this turbo-four is that it comes with AWD. Other than, reviewers, including Car and Driver, say that there isn’t a significant difference between the Corsair’s two engines. No matter which one you choose, both come with an eight-speed automatic transmission. What’s new-for-2021 is that the Corsair will also be available as a plug-in hybrid. 

“Looking like a slimmed down Aviator, the Lincoln Corsair distills the luxury automaker’s new design language down to the compact-SUV class, where it’s one of few American nameplates to choose from. The Corsair shares a platform with the Ford Escape, but there are few clues to its blue-collar roots, and its road presence is undeniably upscale.” 

Car and Driver (2021)

Lincoln Corsair interior 

As with Lincoln’s other SUVs, the Corsair presents a gorgeous cabin full of upscale materials. The Corsair seats up to five people and comes standard with amenities, including faux leather upholstery, a driver’s seat with a memory function, and heated front seats. Available upgrades include genuine leather, cooled front seats, and heated second-row seats.

For the most part, the Corsair impresses with its in-car technology. Standard infotainment features an 8-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 10-speaker stereo, and a wifi hotspot. The Corsair’s infotainment is user-friendly, but the complaint some reviewers have is that its display screen is on the smaller side for the class. 

Regarding advanced safety, the Corsair comes with desirable features here too. Gadgets, including forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist, are all standard. One of the coolest optional safety features includes speed-limit sign recognition. The Corsair’s focus on safety helped it earn a five-star rating from the NHTSA. Additionally, the IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick in 2020. 

Pricing

The Corsair deserves a spot on your shopping list if your top priorities are comfort and refinement. If you opt for the Standard trim, you get an ideal blend of power and tech. Based on Car and Driver’s estimates, the entry-level Corsair begins at $36,940, which is lower than a few of its primary rivals.