It’s not often that I completely forget an auto manufacturer exists, however when I saw that I was assigned to spend some time with the 2023 Lincoln Corsair Reserve, I was shocked to see that Ford’s once celebrated luxury marque was still producing cars. Surely, this must be like every other Lincoln, just a fancied up Ford with special badges, right? After spending a week with this luxury crossover, perhaps the answer is not what you’d expect.
The 2023 Lincoln Corsair hasn’t been completely redesigned, though still sharing a platform with the Ford Escape. It features a transverse-layout with a front-based all-wheel-drive system and a sleek, modern look with Lincoln’s signature LED lighting. A small styling update means it’s also now featuring a larger grill and some other nicely refreshed bits.
The 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine is retained from the previous year’s model. It produces 250 horsepower at 5,500RPM and 280 lb-ft. of torque at 3,000RPM, making it the standard engine for the Corsair. The only other option is the plug-in hybrid’s 2.5-liter engine mated to an electrically augmented drivetrain. The engine is connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission that shifts quietly and efficiently.
The turbocharged-four provides more than satisfactory acceleration, and its application in this luxury segment doesn’t cheapen the experience at all. It takes just over six seconds to reach 100km/h from a standstill, making it competitive in its class. The throttle response is linear, and the turbocharger lag is barely noticeable. What really stands out, however, is the smoothness and quietness of the ride. The suspension is well-tuned and the adaptive dampers do an excellent job of providing a comfortable ride.
The cabin of the Corsair is incredibly peaceful, making it one of the quietest cars in its class. The laminated glass and active noise canceling in the Revel audio system work together to create a tranquil atmosphere, even more impressive than many more expensive vehicles.
The interior overall is top-notch. Our tester was outfitted with a rather drab black on black colour scheme, although there are more exciting options available for those who desire it, the matte wood accents added to the overall look and feel right at home in this luxury focused crossover. The center console has some piano black plastic that looks nice, but it will likely be susceptible to dust, scratches, and fingerprints. The front seats offer plenty of space, and the rear seats are also quite roomy, providing more usable space than the Audi Q5. Cargo capacity is 793-liters with the rear seats in place, which is just shy of the Acura RDX.
The Corsair’s cabin is entirely digital, yet still manages to evoke a sense of traditional luxury. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster could benefit from more customization, as there is a lot of unused space. The 24-way Perfect Position seats are comfortable and offer multiple massage settings but could use more lower back support.
The physical buttons for major controls are great, and the system is user-friendly. The infotainment system is easy to use and supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though a wired connection is required for both. The native Ford infotainment is a bit outdated, but we expect the new F-150’s system to be available soon. Lincoln’s Co-Pilot360 Plus system includes all the latest driver assist features such as blind spot detection, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control and more.
The Corsair’s 2.0-liter engine only requires 87-octane fuel, which is a plus in this class. Fuel efficiency is rated at 11.1L/100km in the city and 8.1L/100km on the highway, for a combined 9.8L/100km. After driving 500 kilometers driving across and around town, we observed 10.4L/100km in mostly highway driving with 20-inch winter tires and sub-zero temperatures but was still a touch worse than we would have expected with the 8.1L/100km highway rating.
Let’s talk equipment; for its hefty price tag of $68,800, our test car is incredibly well-equipped. The base Corsair starts at $53,500, and our tester had an additional $15,400 worth of options. While this is a lot of money, it is still much less than European counterparts with similar features. The Grand Touring trim is the only one that surpasses our tester both in terms of price tag and options the main difference, being that it’s a plug-in hybrid.
The Corsair stands out from its competitors in the price range, such as the BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 and Audi Q5, due to its superior smoothness and driving comfort. The Acura RDX is the closest competitor, but its infotainment system is subpar. This makes the Corsair an ideal choice for empty nesters who often take long road trips.
The 2023 Lincoln Corsair Reserve is a great example of a modern compact crossover. Unlike many of Lincoln’s previous models, the Corsair does not simply feel like a Ford with added luxury features. Instead, the team at Lincoln have done an excellent job of disguising the shared platform with the Ford Escape. The Corsair is a pleasure to drive, with a comfortable ride and impressive attention to detail.
