2020 Lincoln Corsair Review

What is it?

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair is built on the same platform that underpins the new Ford Escape. Years ago, cars built on a shared platform would have been differentiated by little more than swapped badges and new wheels. But the days of Lincoln's "badge engineering" are long gone. Like the company's new Navigator and Aviator, the new Corsair is a proper luxury SUV.

Lincoln swears the 2020 Corsair is named for the Latin "cursus" — which translates to "journey" — and not French pirates and privateers of the sailing age. But if you want to play out your pirate fantasies in the Corsair, we can't stop you. Just remember to never grog and drive.

Though they share a common platform, there's not much Ford Escape in the Corsair. Starting with the exterior, the Corsair inherits Lincoln's trademark grille and tailgate-spanning rear lights. The side panels also feature deep contouring. And the interior is significantly more upscale than the one of its Ford counterpart, with high-quality materials and a number of available color schemes.

The differences aren't limited to the cabin. Behind that big grille are two engine choices. The Corsair's base engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that puts out 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, which is the same as the top-tier engine option in the Escape. The Corsair also offers a turbo 2.3-liter four-cylinder that makes 295 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. We expect a plug-in hybrid in the future, too.

Why does it matter?

As Lincoln and Ford phase out sedans, the Corsair and the Escape are your only options if you want a small passenger vehicle from either brand. This is aside from the fact that the compact SUV is currently the hottest vehicle type on the market, and any new model launching in this space needs to make a strong impression.

What does it compete with?

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair hopes to make a splash in a crowded pond. The big three German automakers have excellent entries in the class — the Mercedes-Benz GLC, Audi Q3 and BMW X3 — which all place highly in our rankings of the best small luxury SUVs. There's also the recently redesigned Acura RDX, the sporty Porsche Macan and the understated yet refined Volvo XC60. In short, the Corsair is not wanting for strong competitors. The only question is whether it has the chops to keep its head above water.

How does it drive?

Unlike some of its performance-minded competitors, the Corsair is almost solely tuned for comfort. The optional adaptive suspension provides a plush ride regardless of road texture, though admittedly we encountered few large bumps during our test drive from San Francisco to Carmel, California. Despite its relaxed road manners, the Corsair doesn't fall apart in corners. Body roll builds up naturally, giving you a sense of the Corsair's natural handling limits before you start hearing the tires squealing. Select the Excite driving mode and the adaptive suspension stiffens to reduce body motion. It doesn't have an undue effect on the ride quality, and it helps reduce the moderate floatiness you experience in the Normal driving mode. Excite also holds onto gears longer — great when you're tackling twisty mountain roads, but it can be slightly annoying during the commute. Unfortunately, the Corsair does not allow for a custom drive mode, which could give the driver the best of both worlds.

Most Corsairs have a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that produces 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. Reserve models with the 201A package have the option of a 2.3-liter engine with 295 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. The power difference is slight, such that in normal driving we couldn't discern a meaningful increase in punch. That said, the 2.3-liter feels much smoother. The way it interacts with the eight-speed transmission feels more refined, and there's less shift shock between gears. The 2.0-liter's drivetrain also sometimes stumbles when you lift off the throttle, while the larger engine does not. We recommend going with the 2.3-liter if you can. Though it's more expensive, it ultimately feels more premium and provides the same fuel economy when equipped with all-wheel drive. Worth noting is that both engines have automatic stop-start systems that are virtually unnoticeable.

What's the interior like?

In the not-too-distant past, Lincoln's efforts to differentiate its vehicles' interiors from their Ford counterparts were minimal. That changed with the redesigned Lincoln Navigator, and it's a trend that continues with the Corsair. The cabin looks nothing like the Ford Escape upon which the Corsair is based and instead incorporates the familial Lincoln design. 

No single element commands the majority of the Corsair's cabin. The dashboard-mounted 8-inch touchscreen bucks the trend toward massive vertical interfaces, allowing for wide air vents below. It's a neat trick since the section in front of the passenger isn't a vent at all — it's merely designed for cohesion. The center stack is another high point. The transmission selector is no longer a cascade of buttons next to the touchscreen but a set of beautifully detailed keys. Below are basic radio controls and climate functions, all of which are easy to use and are finished in eye-catching piano-black surfaces — just have a microfiber towel handy to keep them glossy.

Up front is your choice between standard 10-way power seats or Lincoln's 24-way Perfect Position thrones. While the upgrade features many more adjustments, we find some superfluous, such as the individual left and right thigh extensions. The upper back adjustment gives under pressure, which can feel slightly disconcerting. Finally, many of its adjustments are hidden in the touchscreen, so you'll have to tap-tap-tap away to find a good position. The standard seats only present two-way lumbar adjustment and don't have a massaging function, but they require less fussing.

While attention has been primarily paid to those in the front, rear passengers won't feel as though they've been given short shrift. The seatback features multiple reclining positions, and, while a little flat, the bottoms are long enough that even adult thighs will feel supported. Vents behind the center console circulate air in the back, and heated outboard seats are optional even on the base model. You even get two charge-only USB ports and a three-prong outlet — perfect for charging phones and other electronics (the front has one USB-A and USB-C port in the front storage tray, along with a wireless phone charger under the armrest). Rear passengers suffer a few drawbacks, however. Some door panels have hard plastics, while those in the front are covered in leather or faux leather. There's also less headroom due to the downward-sloping roof, and the hard front seatbacks limit legroom somewhat. There's also the issue of seat padding all around, as the leather feels a little unyielding — you don't sink into the seats as much as sit on top of them.

How practical is it?

A modern crossover needs to have plenty of storage room, and the Corsair abides. The front row offers a useful front cubby below the center stack, a decently sized center console, roomy door pockets, and cupholders with anti-tip measures. The rear doors have smaller pockets but will still hold a water bottle and a few assorted knickknacks. Rear cupholders pop out from the front of the armrest and sport adjustable clamps for larger cups.

The cargo area itself is flat and sizable, and the tall rear seats mean you can fit a carry-on suitcase upright without compromising the view out of the back. If you need a little more room, you can slide the rear seats forward. Doing so still doesn't give the Corsair class-leading cargo room, but it certainly makes a difference. We also like that the liftgate provides hands-free opening and the rear seats drop at the touch of a button, located on the right side of the cargo area. The only real issue we found is the cargo cover. It's hinged close to the rear of the cargo opening and doesn't lift very high, so you might have to slide items in if the cover is in place.

What else should I know?

Lincoln is in the midst of a turnaround in which creating a true luxury vehicle — rather than just a fancy Ford — is paramount. The Corsair succeeds in this respect, drawing a clear line in the sand between it and the Escape. We're impressed by its interior detailing, 2.3-liter engine and quiet cabin. We also like the breadth of available advanced driving aids such as pre-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor, and lane keeping assist. Meanwhile, adaptive cruise control, lane centering assist, a 360-degree parking camera, and automated parallel and perpendicular parking are optional.

Edmunds says

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair is a solid entry in the ultra-popular compact crossover category. It could sell on its cabin alone, which impresses with high-quality materials and a clean design. The Corsair makes an even better case on the road thanks to its isolated cabin and cushy ride.