The Corsair is a compact five-passenger luxury crossover that debuted in 2020 as a replacement for the MKC and is the smallest vehicle in the Lincoln lineup. The Corsair shares a platform with the long-running Ford Escape but looks and feels nothing like an Escape. It is available in three trims known as Premiere, Reserve, and Grand Touring. Prices start at $39,735 for Premiere, $46,895 for the Reserve, and $54,365 for the Grand Touring. A variety of packages and options are available to make it your own.
There are two powertrains available with a turbocharged 2.0L I-4 Engine netting 250 horsepower with 275 lb-ft of torque standard on the Premiere and Reserve. This powertrain pairs with an 8-speed SelectShift automatic, are available in FWD or AWD, and has a towing capacity of 3,000 pounds. A more powerful 2.5L four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain with two electric motors generates 266 horsepower combined on the Grand Touring and has an electric driving range of around 30 miles. It pairs with a continuously variable transmission with SelectShift capability, comes standard with AWD, and can also tow ab to 3,000 pounds.
Competition includes vehicles such as the Acura RDX, Audi Q5, BMW X3, Genesis GV70, Lexus NX, and Volvo XC60. I spent time in an AWD Corsair Grand Touring PHEV that checked in at $68,820 and here's what stood out...
Performance (+)
The Corsair delivers a comfortable, smooth ride with sufficient power. The 2.5L PHEV was quick with its 266 horsepower and 280-pound feet of torque. It’s capable of getting from 0-60 MPH in around 7 seconds. I spent a lot of time driving the Corsair on the highway and found it to be an ideal cruiser. There was enough power for passing and it provided just enough engagement. It absorbed the road well to deliver an incredibly smooth ride the entire time. Handling is balanced and steering is well-weighted. It has five various drive modes to meet various conditions that include normal, excite, slippery, deep conditions, and conserve. These can be easily selected via a rotary dial in the center console. It's not a dynamic handling crossover like the BMW X3, but it is comfortable and way more luxurious than its platform-mate Ford Escape. The electronic gear selector utilizes toggle-like piano buttons in the center console. Overall, this is a great vehicle for longer road trips where you'll spend a lengthy amount of time behind the steering wheel. It was easy to drive, and I never felt fatigued.
Fuel Economy (+)
When the Corsair arrived with a full 11.2-gallon fuel tank, it offered a total combined driving range of around 430 miles. EPA estimates for the PHEV model are 76 MPe and 33 MPG combined for the gasoline-only Corsair. The PHEV will get an estimated 27-30 miles of all electric driving range depending on driving conditions. It is among the most fuel-efficient vehicles in this class.
Blue Cruise / Co-Pilot 360 (+)
An available upgrade on the Corsair is Ford’s Blue Cruise which is a hands-free driving system that is more advanced than the Co-Pilot 360 2.0 that is standard on the Grand Touring. Co-Pilot 360 2.0 includes a 360-degree camera with front and rear camera washer, evasive steering assist, active park assist 2.0, forward sensing system, reverse brake assist, and puddle lamps. Blue Cruise works extremely well for extended highway drives and was very user-friendly. At the push of a few buttons, I was able to activate the system, set my desired speed and the Corsair took it from there. It automatically adjusted the speed, stayed centered in the lane, and scanned speed limit signs along the way and adjusted the speed accordingly. I was able to sit back and enjoy the available massaging seats. The system includes automatic stop-and-go in traffic, lane centering, and speed sign recognition. Signature blue light cues appear on the digital cluster and head-up display to indicate when the system's advanced camera and radar are activated, enabling drivers to operate hands-free on prequalified sections of divided highways. Hands-Free Blue Zones include more than 130,000 miles of dedicated highways across North America in the Lincoln GPS mapping system. A driver-facing camera in the instrument cluster monitors eye gaze and head position to help ensure a driver's eyes stay on the road. I used the system frequently around Chicagoland and into Northwest Indiana without any issues. The system will recognize when there are no lines on the road and require hands on the wheel. Additionally, hands are required in areas such as toll booths across highways. It is beyond impressive in traffic in which the Corsair accurately maintained its location and smoothly adjusted to stop-and-go traffic better than I could. A simple touch of the button to activate and follow instructions is all you need to do.
Another feature within this package is the evasive steering assist which assists the driver in avoiding a collision with a vehicle ahead. The system will provide added steering support when a collision cannot be avoided by braking alone. Also included is active park assist which will be valuable to anyone who does a lot of parallel parking. Once activated, the Corsair will take over the steering, shifting, braking and acceleration functions to park itself. The system works well and provides step by step directions to the driver. It will work for both parallel and perpendicular parking. In the Corsair, Blue Cruise was part of a larger equipment group package (302A) in my test vehicle that was $8,675 and included more features such as a hands-free liftgate, rain sensing wipers, heated/ventilated seats, head-up display, parking sensors, and more.
Technology (+)
Tech has been updated since I last drove the Corsair which is a good thing as last time I was left wanting more. The Corsair is now equipped with a 13.2-inch touchscreen featuring the SYNC4 infotainment system, which offers enhanced voice recognition, navigation, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The system is intuitive, easy to navigate, and the larger screen is a big upgrade from the former 8” screen. Other standard features include two front USB ports and a rear USB port, with an optional wireless charging pad for compatible devices. The wireless charging tray is located in the center media bin, offering a cord-free charging experience for compatible smartphones.
Lincoln offers a much improved Revel stereo system that is much more competitive with Volvo and Genesis. The available Revel Ultima 3D Audio System includes QuantumLogic 3D Surround technology with three custom listening modes and 28 speakers throughout the cabin that is crystal clear.
An available 12.3" digital gauge cluster is clear, and the head-up display is more of an aid than a distraction. The head-up display is viewable in virtually all lighting conditions and can be read while wearing polarized sunglasses. You can customize the data that displays, including available Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control settings, Lane-Keeping System information and more. All in all, Lincoln offers everything you need without going over the top.
Interior Comfort (+)
Lincoln shifted its focus to create space that appeals to the senses, and it has done a good job in the Corsair. When I first sat in the Corsair, I was impressed with how comfortable it felt, and the layout did convey a sense of calmness. It features a horizontal design with mixed materials and colors. The materials are class appropriate and soft to the touch. Color options like Medium Smoked Truffle and Eternal Red provide a modern take on some nostalgic colors from older luxury vehicles. Available ambient lighting will further set the tone of the interior space. Other materials inside such as aluminum, paldao wood, and metallic finishes round out the interior's luxurious vibe.
It comfortably seats five passengers with sufficient head and legroom all around. Synthetic leather, heated front seats, and 10-way power adjustable seats are all standard. Available upgrades include genuine leather, massaging front seats, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and 24-way power adjustability. The massaging seats were an unexpected luxury for a vehicle of this size and price. They worked well with a variety of settings and complimented the Co-Pilot 360 nicely turning a long commute into a more relaxing trip.
Second-row seats can slide forward/back up to six inches which helps with various size passenger legroom or cargo area in back. All the seats in the Corsair are well-padded and plush. Rear seats also recline which add to the serene sanctuary vibe that Lincoln is striving to attain.
Panoramic Roof (+)
An available option is a full-length panoramic vista roof that adds a very calm open-air vibe to the interior. The front half opens to let the outside air in with a nice sized opening with the rear section is a fixed glass. It comes with a power sunshade to let the light in or block it out based on the weather. This is among the biggest panoramic roofs in the class.
Cargo (+)
There is 27.6 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 57.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. Overall cargo is better than average for the class. Additional underfloor storage is also available. The power rear hatch has a clamshell-like opening that is wide and makes loading in cargo easy. There are also buttons in the back that can be pressed to automatically fold down the second row when needed.
Exterior Style (+/-)
Last refreshed in 2023, the exterior hasn’t changed since. Up front The signature Lincoln grille dominates the front fascia with a bold, mesh-style pattern that varies by trim. It features slim horizontal jeweled LED headlights with the daytime running lights now integrated into the design for a more refined lighting signature. Speaking of lighting, the Corsair utilizes Lincoln Embrace which is a feature that activates upon your approach, illuminating the vehicle with a soft LED exterior glow and sequential lighting, welcoming you in style.
The front hood wraps around and over into the fenders to align with a high belt line. Like all Lincoln models, there is a nameplate identifier on the front doors. Its side profile shape is like the Ford Escape but mixes of chrome accents around the windows and sophisticated wheel designs add a premium feel. Around back, a clam shaped tailgate wraps around into the fenders providing a wide hatch opening and clean rear design.
Around back a full-width LED taillight with a “starburst” pattern creates a bold visual signature at night. The horizontal design visually widens the rear profile, giving the Corsair a more planted and upscale stance. LINCOLN is spelled out across the hatch as seen across the lineup.
A dual exhaust, cladding, and reflectors give the lower portion dimension. Overall proportions are good giving the Corsair a solid presence. There is nothing overtly unique in its simple, but clean design though which causes it to blend in more than stand out.
Jet Package (+)
The Jet Appearance Package for the 2025 Lincoln Corsair is an optional $2,250 upgrade available across all trim levels—Premiere, Reserve, and Grand Touring. This package enhances the vehicle's exterior with sleek, dark-themed accents, giving it a more dynamic and upscale appearance. The front and rear bumpers, lower fascia, wheel lips, and lower door cladding are painted in the same color as the vehicle's body, providing a seamless and integrated appearance. The package also includes blacked-out elements such as the fender badge, upper grille design, and door frame molding. New to the Corsair and standard in this package are 20” black aluminum wheels. Overall, this package gives the Corsair a sportier, trendier vibe.
Wheels (+/-)
Premiere models come with 18" painted aluminum alloys, Reserve models get 19" bright-machined aluminum with magnetic painted pockets, and Grand Touring models come with 19" bright-machined aluminum with a dark tarnish finish. The designs are class-appropriate and compliment the rest of the design. Tires are more touring than performance and aid in providing a comfortable and smooth ride.
Safety (+)
Lincoln has given the Corsair a nice list of standard safety features that include the basics such as airbags, rear view camera, stability control, tire pressure monitoring and LATCH child safety system. Also, standard are the following driver assist features...
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Forward collision warning
- Intersection assist (uses sensors to help prevent accidents at intersections)
- Rear parking sensors
- Evasive-steering assist (helps steer the vehicle to avoid collisions)
- Lane-keep assist
- Post-collision braking
- Forward and reverse automatic emergency braking
- Pre-collision assist
- SOS post-crash alert system
- Adaptive cruise control
- Automatic high-beam headlights
Other available driver assist features include BlueCruise hands-free driving system, surround-view camera system, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and front, side, and rear parking sensors. It has received a five-star safety rating from NHTSA for crash tests and receives mostly good IIHS safety ratings.
Final Statement
The Corsair is a compact luxury crossover that seems to fly under the radar. It does most things well and delivers a smooth, very comfortable ride. Its styling is more conservative with clean lines and nice finishing touches, but it lacks any memorable flare found in some competitors. The interior is supremely comfortable with well-padded seats and a cozy feeling layout that is easy to get acquainted with. This was an impressive vehicle, and the updates have made it even better. The addition of BlueCruise gives this technology that many competitors don’t have access to. Lincoln did a nice job with this vehicle, but its biggest challenge will be standing out in a crowded segment.
First Impression Summary:
Test Vehicle: 2025 Lincoln Corsair AWD Grand Touring III AWD
Powertrain: 2.5L I-4 PHEV
Exterior Color: Red Carpet Metallic
Interior Color: Ebony Premium Leather
Options: Equipment Group 302A with hands free liftgate, rain sensing wipers, windshield wiper de icer, heated/ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, wireless charging pads, head up display, BlueCruise hands free driving, front/rear parking sensors ($8,675), Paint ($750), 24-way Leather Seats ($1,285), Jet Package ($2,250)
MSRP as tested: $68,820 (With Destination & Delivery)
PROS: Interior Comfort, Advanced Technology, Efficient Powertrain
CONS: High Price, Handling Dynamics, Expensive Packages, Conservative Styling
