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What do our experts think of the 2023 Lincoln Corsair? We look at powertrain, interior options, trim levels, and more. Find out our thoughts here.
What’s New for the 2023 Lincoln Corsair?
On sale since 2020, the 2023 Lincoln Corsair is a luxuriously reskinned Ford Escape that occupies the entry-level slot in Lincoln’s lineup. Power comes from either a turbocharged four-pot or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain and for 2023, the Corsair has been comprehensively refreshed versus the 2022 model.
Exterior updates are subtle – a larger grille and blue foil finish for top-spec Grand Touring models. The interior overhaul is more intensive – a fully digital gauge cluster and 13-inch infotainment touchscreen are standard, the center stack is “floating”, Smoked Truffle and Eternal Red themes are available, and ActiveGlide – Lincoln’s name for Ford’s hands-free BlueCruise tech – is now on hand, so to speak.
2023 Lincoln Corsair – lincoln.com | Shop 2023 Lincoln Corsair on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Great exterior lines
Stacked with advanced tech
Decent electric driving range
PHEV gear reduces cabin space
Good stuff is expensive
High-performance motor dropped
That pampered lifestyle
2023 Lincoln Specs
- 250 horsepower from base engine
- 275 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 3 available trims
- 27.6 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 57.6 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats folded
- NHTSA 5-Star overall crash rating
- Revel 14-speaker audio system
- Six years of powertrain coverage
2023 Lincoln Corsair Powertrain
In Standard and Reserve trim, the 2023 Corsair is powered by a turbocharged 2.0L inline-4 making 250 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque. It pairs with an 8-speed automatic that routes power to the front wheels, though AWD can be added for $2,300. Stepping up to the Grand Touring variant brings a PHEV powertrain featuring a 2.5L inline-4 and a small battery-powered electric motor that makes 266 hp combined. It is lashed to a CVT that sends power to all four wheels.
The Lincoln Corsair is about a comfy, pampered ride provided by a fully independent suspension tuned to take the edge off of rutted roads. To that end, Lincoln notes the use of an “integral bush suspension” out back that delivers a sense of gliding down the road. Adaptive dampers on the Grand Touring offer additional levels of cushiness, but that variant doesn’t come cheap with used models still too expensive to make our list of best used PHEV SUVs for less than $30,000.
2023 Lincoln Corsair Fuel Economy & MPG
In base setup, the 2023 Lincoln Corsair is rated for 22/30 mpg in city/highway driving with standard features like automatic start/stop and active front grille shutters lending a hand. Tacking on AWD drops those figures to 21/28 mpg, respectively. The Grand Touring can travel 28 miles on electricity alone and earns a combined fuel efficiency figure of 33 mpg, which is far better than the combined 24 mpg achieved by an AWD Standard or Reserve model.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Lincoln spent a lot of time on the 2023 Corsair cabin with a new floating center stack, natural wood inlays, stitched soft-touch panels, and elegant ambient lighting settings adding a ritzy vibe. There’s even an optional backlit perforated metallic dash panel that adds more than a dash of that lux life. Upholstery ranges from leatherette on base models to genuine hides provided by Bridge of Weir and the Eternal Red scheme is snazzy.
Heated front seats and Active Noise Control are standard with seat ventilation and massaging functionality available further up the trim ladder. As for space, rear seat occupants have 39 inches of legroom with the second row pushed all the way back as it can slide up to six inches. It also reclines up to six degrees and when folded flat it opens up 58 cubic feet of cargo space. With the rear seat raised, cargo room drops to 28 cubes and the hybrid running gear on Grand Touring Corsairs drops these cargo and legroom measurements by one or two points across the board.
Entertainment & Technology
New for 2023, every Lincoln Corsair comes with a fully digital gauge cluster and a 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other standard tech includes a Wi-Fi hotspot, app-based remote vehicle control, connected navigation, and Alexa integration.
Unfortunately, moving up to a Reserve or Grand Touring model does not unlock additional standard tech features. Instead, an optional package is required on all trim lines. The “Collection III” suite of options is expensive at over $10,000 but brings a head-up display, a 14-speaker audio system from Revel, a wireless charging pad, Phone-as-a-key technology, a surround-view monitor, and more.
Safety Features
Lincoln loads the 2023 Corsair with standard driver aids including forward collision mitigation, a lane-keeping system, blind-spot monitoring and assist, a rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. That latter system can be augmented with ActiveGlide, which enables true hands-free driving on a growing list of nationwide highways.
Other safety systems include an audible pedestrian alert for the PHEV Corsair, an SOS post-crash alert, and 10 airbags. It helps the Corsair earn a 5-Star overall crash rating from the NHTSA, which is part of the reason we put it on our list of the most reliable luxury compact SUVs.
2023 Lincoln Corsair Trims & Pricing
Standard – $40,085
The entry-level 2023 Corsair comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, full exterior LED lighting, a power liftgate, and heated side mirrors. Amenities include dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, faux leather upholstery, and ambient lighting. Technology consists of wireless smartphone mirroring via a 13-inch touchscreen interface, dual front USB ports, a fully-digital instrument panel, a Wi-Fi hotspot, connected navigation, and a 10-speaker stereo.
Reserve – $44,470
Moving up to the Reserve model brings 19-inch rims, adaptive headlights, and premium exterior lighting all around. The upgraded lighting theme continues inside including an illuminated Lincoln Star on the center console. Genuine leather upholstery is part of the deal as is a power-adjustable steering column. For $10,360, the Collection III package adds such niceties as a panoramic moonroof, heated rear seats, self-parking technology, ActiveGlide hands-free driving tech, and power-folding rear seats.
Grand Touring – $55,280
The big jump in price for a Grand Touring model is mostly due to the plug-in hybrid powertrain. But that number can balloon to $67,000 with options, so consult the latest new car incentives before shopping. These top-spec Corsairs also have an exclusive front grille design, adaptive suspension, and illuminated doorsill scuff plates. 24-way adjustable front seats with massaging cushions can be tacked on for $1,285 as can the $2,000 Jet Appearance package that brings a full complement of black accents and 20-inch wheels.
Warranties
Lincoln’s warranty provides basic coverage for four years or 50,000 miles and six years or 70,000 miles on the powertrain. The automaker does include four years of complimentary maintenance on its Black Label models, but as the Corsair doesn’t make the Black Label cut, it does not have any included service.
What we think
2023 Lincoln Corsair – lincoln.com | Shop 2023 Lincoln Corsair on Carsforsale.com
The 2023 Lincoln Corsair is a fine compact SUV for those seeking a cushy ride that fully insulates you from the outside world with loads of the latest technology and luxurious amenities. Lincoln touts the efficiency and styling benefits of the PHEV Corsair, which are valid, but that model is quite a bit more expensive than the other two options. And it would be nice if all the most exciting features were not locked behind pricey packages. As such, we would stick with the Standard model as it offers plenty of creature comforts and technology without going off the reservation on price.
