Lincoln has been synonymous with American luxury cars, and for good reason – yet even as we move away from the big land yachts of yesteryear, the automaker has pivoted with the times. Today, that means that the Corsair, Lincoln’s luxury compact SUV, combines that old-school approach to luxury with new generations of performance and efficiency.
Under the Hood
There is a plethora of engine and drivetrain types available on the 2021 Lincoln Corsair. From previous year models, the Corsair retains the choice of a supercharged 250-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder or 280-hp 2.3-liter four-cylinder, but new this year is a hybrid option as well! The electric option includes a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and a continuously variable automatic transmission. Paired with the Corsair’s standard all-wheel drive, even the hybrid model has plenty of power when push comes to shove.
The 2021 Corsair is no slouch when it comes to fuel efficiency as well. While the plug-in electric’s metrics aren’t officially in yet, Lincoln says you’ll get 25 miles on a single electric charge alone before the hybrid switches to its gas engine. The other two traditional engines, the 2.0-liter and the 2.3-liter, are rated at a combined 30 and 29 city/highway mpg respectively. These Lincolns will certainly ease your pain at the pump for sure!
The Luxury Interior
Lincoln spared no expense with the cabin experience of the 2021 Corsair. Upholstered in smooth, buttery leather throughout and with a plethora of features, the Corsair has adjustable ambient lighting, 24-way power-adjustable seats, a head-up display, and and even a remote start smartphone app that lets you lock or unlock your Corsair as well.
Lincoln’s Sync-3 infotainment system is well-represented here with the Corsair’s An 8.0-inch touchscreen. An optional 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster adds another layer of performance luxury, as do the joystick-like controls on the steering wheel to operate many of the infotainment system’s functions. In-dash navigation is an option as well, but you’ll be glad to know that Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration are indeed standard – as is a 10-speaker stereo system. Higher levels of trim include a 14-speaker Revel speaker upgrade with bundled SiriusXM satellite radio.
Safety and Performance
The 2021 Corsair has it going on in the safety department, thanks to its available adaptive cruise control and its standard lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection. Higher levels of trim include the Co-Pilot360 Plus system and its advanced features, which include self-parking.
For all its bells and whistles, performance on the Corsair is rather middle-of-the-road. Agility is moderate, but perhaps not as high as you would expect from a compact SUV, meaning that some of its rivals might leave it in the dust. Even with its beefiest engine, it tops out at 300 lb.-ft. of torque and manages 0-60 in 6 seconds flat – again, not terrible, but it seems this luxury compact SUV is more luxury than compact SUV.
The Final Verdict
The 2021 Lincoln Corsair has plenty going for it, most notably some excellent fuel efficiency and a bevy of interior cabin features that will leave you feeling as pampered as you would expect from a Lincoln. The inclusion of a plug-in hybrid for the 2021 model year shows that Lincoln is willing to push the electric vehicle envelope a little bit, which is a good sign for things to come.
It’s not quite the perfect vehicle though. its performance is not quite as freewheeling as some of its competitors. Additionally, many of the bells and whistles it offers come with a hefty price tag. With a standard sticker price of around $37,000, fully kitting out your 2021 Corsair could cost a pretty penny indeed. Still, if you’re looking for luxury with more than a little versatility, the Corsair won’t do you wrong!
