With the 2020 Corsair, Lincoln is trying to bring some swagger and prestige back to its brand. The company has its work cut out for them with the Corsair, which replaces the MKC nameplate. That’s because the new Corsair faces stiff competition from other compact luxury SUVs – namely the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-class. Is the Corsair up to the challenge? Is there enough here for consumers to love? Here’s an inside look at the 2020 Lincoln Corsair.

Exterior Styling

Lincoln’s have always had a reputation for being big. The term “boat” has been applied to more than one Lincoln model over the years. For a compact SUV, the Corsair looks surprisingly large. It’s actually slightly longer than its MKC predecessor. When stacked against the competition, the Corsair looks downright hefty.

Lincoln is selling this compact vehicle’s size, promising additional legroom in the backseats and more cubic feet of cargo space. These are good selling points, for sure. However, the overall impression left with the exterior of the Corsair is somewhat underwhelming. It looks like an SUV but is not particularly sleek or appealing. This vehicle won’t be able to rely on its looks to stand out from the crowd.

Engine and Performance

One of the highlights of the 2020 Corsair is the available engine options. The SUV comes with two turbocharged four-cylinder engines that are like those found in the previous MKC model. The options are either a 250-horsepower, 2.0-liter engine or a more powerful 280-horsepower, 2.3-liter four-cylinder version.

Both engines come with an eight-speed automatic transmission. With the less powerful engine, owners can choose either front- or all-wheel drive. With the bigger powerplant, all-wheel drive comes standard. The 2.3-liter engine can hit 60 mph in 6.6-seconds. Lincoln has also confirmed that a Corsair plug-in hybrid engine will be available shortly after the vehicle’s initial launch.

Trimlines and Prices

The Corsair comes with two available trim levels – the Standard and Reserve. Each trim comes with the same engine and transmission options. The real differences come in the available technology options, the interior styling, and amount of leather that is included.

Buyers will pay $35,945 for the front wheel drive Standard trim level. The most expensive trim is the all-wheel drive Reserve, which starts at $44,830. It includes all the bells and whistles, plus all the available safety features. The base model is very well-equipped, but you should give serious thought to upgrading. The all-wheel drive and additional safety enhancements are probably worth the extra money.

Interior

With their plans to muscle in on the luxury SUV market and take ground from the likes of BMW and Mercedes, it should come as no surprise that the interior of the 2020 Corsair is stylish and comfortable. Several reviewers have said that the Corsair’s interior is on par with other luxury Lincolns such as the Navigator, Nautilus and Aviator. As we said, there is plenty of leather and other cool technology inside.

Highlights include adjustable ambient lights, 24-way power-adjustable seats, and optional turquoise-colored leather on the dashboard, door panels, and seats. There’ss also a decent amount of cargo and storage space and ample cupholders. Unlike the MKC, the rear seats in the 2020 Corsair slide on a six-inch track and can lay flat, clearing even more room for luggage, mountain bikes, or other things you might want to cram into the back.

Features and Equipment

The technology is also quite advanced in the Corsair. An 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system runs Lincoln’s patented “Sync 3” system. There’s also a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a head-up display, and an app that allows users to unlock, lock, and start the vehicle with their smartphone.

In terms of audio, passengers will be rocking out using a 14-speaker Revel audio system that is among the best available on today’s market. Safety features on the 2020 Corsair include numerous driver-assist features that are bundled together as part of the “Co-Pilot 360” suite. They include blind-spot monitoring, automated emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Adaptive cruise control, parking assist, and a 360-degree camera system can be added for an additional cost.

Fuel Economy and Warranty Coverage

Even among the woeful SUV segment, the Corsair is not very fuel efficient. The 2.0-liter FWD engine is rated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at 22 miles per gallon of city driving, 29 MPG when driven on a highway, and 25 MPG combined. That’s not great.

Adding all-wheel drive obviously doesn’t help the fuel economy of the Corsair. The 2.3-liter all-wheel drive engine gets 21 MPG in the city, 28 MPG on the highway, and 24 MPG combined. While this level of fuel economy puts the Corsair in the same ballpark as the Mercedes-Benz GLC class, it pales when compared to gas electric hybrid luxury SUVs such as the Lexus NX300h.

As far as a warranty is concerned, the Corsair carries the same coverage as the rest of the brand. It’s a four year, 50,000 mile warranty of basic coverage, plus a six-year, 70,000 mile coverage on the powertrain. It’s decent, but nothing to distinguish it from similar vehicles in its class.

The Good

  • Luxurious and spacious interior.
  • Decent technology and a killer sound system.
  • Solid engine options and a strong all wheel drive option.

The Not-So-Good

  • Exterior is a bit bland and indistinguishable from other SUVs.
  • Poor overall fuel economy.
  • Many of the safety features are only available as extra add-ons.

The Last Word

The 2020 Corsair is definitely a Lincoln, through-and-through. It boasts many of the things that people expect from the brand – size, durability, and comfort. The roomy and plush interior is sure to appeal to people who are already fond of the Lincoln brand.

However, as with most Lincolns, the Corsair is not the sexiest or sportiest SUV on the market. People wanting a peppy ride that is good on gas and has more standard bells and whistles may want to look elsewhere. For those who want a roomy, comfortable, and quiet ride home from work at the end of a long day, the Corsair will fit the bill with ease.

Source: Lincoln.com

Devon is a writer, editor, and veteran of the online publishing world. He has a particular love for classic muscle cars.