One of the most revered carmakers in the States is Ford. And it is only fitting that the Detroit automaker’s luxury segment Lincoln carries the same kind of respect. Over recent years, Lincoln has restructured itself to be more SUV centric. And serving as the entry-level SUV to the brand since 2020 is the all-new Lincoln Corsair.
Vehicle images are guides only and may not reflect the model's exact specifications/features– exact specifications/features should be confirmed with the seller.
For the 2021 Corsair, Lincoln is offering the SUV in a total of three trim levels namely Base, Reserve, and the all-new Grand Touring PHEV. The prices for the 2021 Lincoln Corsair starts off at $35,945 while the Grand Touring ends the lineup at $55,000. However, since the 2021 Lincoln Corsair Grand-Touring is a plug-in hybrid model, we review it separately. The recently launched Grand Touring trim further ups the ante with bigger wheels and more driver assistance tech.
2021 Lincoln Corsair SUV third quarter view
Coming to the standard gasoline version, the 2021 Lincoln Corsair is offered in a total of 2 trims - Base and Reserve. Both the trims get an FWD drivetrain as standard, whereas the AWD drivetrain is offered as an optional extra that costs an additional $2200 over the selected trim's MSRP.
Model
Base (Estimated)
Reserve (Estimated)
MSRP (FWD)
$36,940
$43,885
MSRP (AWD)
$39,140
$46,085
Key Features
Daytime Running Lights (DRLs)
Adds to Base trim features :
Dusk sensing LED headlamps
Turn signal indicators on ORVMs
Pre-collision safety system
14 speaker Revel premium audio system
Rear parking sensors
Heads-up display
Post-collision safety system
8 way powered and heated front seats
Satellite radio
Electrochromatic inside rearview mirror
10 speaker audio system
18.0-inch alloy wheels
The Base trim has the bare necessities for a luxury SUV while the Reserve trim decks things up and tunes up the luxury quotient. Additionally, if you decide to pick up the lower trims, you can always add more oomph to it with the available add-on options and packages. As to further please you, Lincoln has launched two new packages for the 2021 Lincoln Corsair, going by the names - Monochromatic Package, and Sport Appearance Package.
The only caveat with the options is that the price spikes up very quickly. So, make sure to pick only those that you absolutely need.
2021 Lincoln Corsair Maintenance, Reliability and Warranty
The Lincoln Corsair is the spiritual successor of the Lincoln MKC and is based on the Ford Escape platform, both of which have been highly rated by J.D. Power. The Lincoln Corsair has not been rated by J.D. Power yet but is sure to get comparable numbers like its siblings and predecessors when it does get rated.
Since it was launched as the 2020 model, the ride has not had any recalls so far. The 2020 Ford Escape has had two recalls so far, one for improper inflation of side curtain airbags and the other for reduced strengths in seatbacks. Hopefully, the users of the current Corsair will not face any such issues.
Now that you know how reliable the ride is, you will probably be interested to buy it for yourself. However, the offer price of the ride will not be the same in each state since different dealers have different discounts, and there are local state laws as well that come into play. Further, if the climate of the state will suit the ride also plays a role in the entire ownership costs.
Once you have bought the ride, it's time to maintain it and make sure it remains your trusty steed for the years to come. The following are the 5-year ownership costs of the Lincoln Corsair:
Year
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
Total
Tax Credit
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Insurance
$937
$970
$1,004
$1,039
$1,075
$5,025
Maintenance
$73
$434
$420
$1,947
$1,762
$4,636
Repairs
$0
$0
$0
$591
$906
$1,497
Taxes & Fees
$3,082
$21
$72
$21
$72
$3,268
Financing
$2,132
$1,715
$1,269
$794
$287
$6,197
Depreciation
$11,599
$3,397
$2,776
$3,112
$2,720
$23,604
Fuel
$1,854
$1,910
$1,967
$2,026
$2,087
$9,844
Real Cost of Ownership
$19,677
$8,447
$7,508
$9,530
$8,909
$54,071
The costs of ownership are the maximum in the first year owing to the high taxes and the heavy depreciation. With the passage of time, both of these reduce drastically and hence it becomes much more affordable to own.
Warranty
The 2021 Lincoln Corsair wins in terms of warranty figures compared to all its rivals. This is one of the biggest positives of the 2021 Corsair and that combined with its roadside assistance package makes it a really great choice for the customers. The following are the coverages of the warranty.
Criteria
Period
Basic warranty
4 years/ 50,000 miles; whichever is earlier
Powertrain warranty
6 years/ 70,000 miles; whichever is earlier
Corrosion perforation Coverage
5 years/ unlimited miles; whichever is earlier
Safety Restraint Coverage
5 years/ 50,000 miles; whichever is earlier
Roadside Assistance
Lifetime Complimentary 24x7 throughout the nation
In comparison to the others, there are no complimentary maintenance plans that you can get during the buying and customization process. That being said, the lifetime complimentary assistance of Lincoln is an unparalleled service that makes sure that you are covered in all circumstances in case your car ever breaks down on the road.
Miles per Dollar
If you make the Lincoln Corsair your daily driver and run it for about 15,000 miles in a year, you will be spending an average of $1,900 on fuel. That means you will get 7.89 miles per dollar. Consecutively, you will be spending $0.127/mile or 12.7c/mile while you use it.
2021 Lincoln Corsair Buying Advice
The best trim level to go for with the Lincoln Corsair is the Reserve trim as it gets a very capable engine along with all the advanced tech features and luxury offerings. Further, it is not a very big jump in terms of price as well.
Is buying a used Lincoln Corsair a good idea?
If you want to hold on to some of your savings and yet enjoy the taste of luxury that the Lincoln Corsair can offer, the best bet would be to scour the used car market. Owing to the depreciation it undergoes, you can negotiate a great deal for yourself.
Since the ride is fairly new, you can get a used 2020 Lincoln Corsair at about 10 grand less than the MSRP. If you can drive a hard bargain, you can extract an even bigger discount for yourself.
Shaking things up for the new decade is the Grand Touring trim that uses a 2.5L I-4 engine in conjunction with 2 electric motors to churn out a total of 266 hp. It is supported by a 14.4kWh battery pack which allows you to get a pure EV range of 25 miles.
Flanking all the powertrains is an 8-speed automatic transmission that is capable of going into overdrive to save fuel when needed. The power is delivered to front wheels as standard in the starting trims with optional AWD while the Grand Touring trim is available only as AWD.
2021 Lincoln Corsair Acceleration and Braking Performance
Buying a luxury high rider like the Lincoln Corsair, you obviously don't expect to set the track on fire. And if you want to get some thrill out of it, you might end up getting disappointed since the powertrain is more tuned for smooth sailing than raw performance. The Lincoln Corsair can complete the 0-60 mph sprint in a relaxed 7.3 seconds while the quarter-mile takes double that time at 15.6 seconds.
2021 Lincoln Corsair SUV 0-60 in just 7.3 sec.
Speaking of the braking arrangement, the 2021 Lincoln Corsair wears 13.2-inch discs at the front and 12.4 at the rear accompanied by ABS in all four corners.
In terms of braking, the Corsair is not winning any accolades either. The brakes are alright for the price but could have been better tuned. To stop the Lincoln Corsair from 60-0 mph, a distance of 126 feet is needed which is pretty mediocre for a small-sized SUV.
Model
2021 Lincoln Corsair
2021 BMW X3
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300
2021 Volvo XC60
0 - 60 MPH
7.3 secs
6.0 secs
6.1 secs
6.4 secs
Quarter Mile
15.6 secs
15.1 secs
14.6 secs
14.9 secs
Top Speed MPH
130 mph
130 mph
130 mph
112 mph
60 - 0 MPH
126 ft.
114 ft.
116 ft.
114 ft.
In comparison to the rest, the Mercedes Benz GLC pulls forward in the 0-60 but gives the throne to the Volvo XC60 in the quarter-mile. The BMW X3 takes the second spot in the 0-60 sprint followed by the XC60 in the third spot. In terms of braking prowess, the Volvo and BMW prove their mettle with the Mercedes Benz coming in at a close second. The Lincoln Corsair with its numbers stays out of the discussion.
The powertrain for the 2021 Lincoln Corsair remains unchanged. And hence, the fuel economy numbers remain the same as well. The 2021 Lincoln Corsair offers 22 MPG in the city, 29 MPG on the highway, and 25 MPG combined. With a 16.5-gallon fuel tank in place, the overall range does take a big hit as well at 412 miles overall.
The Grand Touring trim brings a new powertrain but it's yet to be seen what kind of numbers it can offer. That being said, it is capable of offering 25 miles of pure EV range.
Lincoln Corsair’s interiors are truly beautifully crafted. Leather and soft-touch plastic have been used very extensively yet tastefully. The steering wheel, seat, dashboard, and center console are all lined with leather.
While the entire build is minimalist, almost all in-vehicular functionality can be controlled by the driver through all the controls that are placed within the close vicinity of the driver.
2021 Lincoln Corsair SUV front seat
The front seats of the Corsair are pretty comfortable and allow the passenger and driver to find the perfect seating posture but the rear sights are more comfortable as long as the passengers in the back are limited to 2. The addition of the third can make things cramped.
Model
2021 Lincoln Corsair
2021 BMW X3
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300
2021 Volvo XC60
Seating Capacity
5
5
5
5
Front Row Space (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)
39.5/57.1/43.2
41.1/57.6/40.3
37.8/57.3/40.8
38.0/58.2/41.5
Rear Row Space (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)
38.7/56.3/38.6
39.1/56.0/36.4
38.5/56.5/37.3
38.0/56.3/38.0
The only caveat is the sloping roofline that bites into the rear headroom, and even more so when you get a sunroof. In comparison to the rest, the luxury quotient is not at par with the interior of the 2021 Mercedes Benz GLC. But the Corsair offers comfort that even rides like BMW X3 and Mercedes Benz GLC are not able to offer.
Some of the most eminent comfort and interior features of the 2021 Lincoln Corsair are:
Leather upholstery
Panoramic sunroof
Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel
Electrochromatic inside rearview mirror
Tilt and telescopic steering wheel
Interior air filtration
Head- up display
Reclining and split-folding rear seats
24- way power front seats with heated, ventilated, and massage feature
How's the 2021 Lincoln Corsair's infotainment system?
In terms of keeping you entertained, the infotainment system on the Lincoln Corsair is an 8.0-inch touchscreen system that might look small but is very sharp and responsive.
Pouring in some optional dollars into the standard Corsair or upgrading to the Reserve trim unlocks a Head-up display, 14-speakers revel premium audio, wireless charging, a wi-fi hotspot and a full suite of Lincoln Co-pilot 360 driver assistance systems.
2021 Lincoln Corsair SUV steering wheel
Further, the driver gets a 12.3-inch driver's digital information display which provides a host of information when driving and comes in pretty handy on the go. The other standard features on this setup are:
14 speaker Revel premium audio system
satellite radio
rearview camera
wireless charger
heads-up display
wi-fi hotspot
voice-activated navigation system
four USB ports along with
Apple CarPlay
Android Auto smartphone integration.
With the Reserve trim, you get most of the added benefits of the technology package which can otherwise be added to the Base trim to add functionality to the ride.
What about the cargo capacity of the 2021 Lincoln Corsair?
The 2021 Lincoln Corsair gets an automatic tailgate, a button to drop the rear row seats, and an adequately flat boot floor, all of these highlights make loading and unloading luggage a cakewalk.
The lines flow smoothly from the front and all the way to the back creating a suave silhouette. The clean, charming, and luxury appeal that Lincoln has always used is very much present on the Corsair.
As you move to the back, the sleek taillamps will remind you of the Porsche Cayenne which has similar taillamps. That being said, in comparison to the others, the Corsair is the lightest and is also the most compact. What is worth noting is that it's the widest of the lot, so you get the spacious interiors despite the compactness.
Model
2021 Lincoln Corsair
2021 BMW X3
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300
2021 Volvo XC60
Curb Weight (lbs.)
3691
4,034
3,889
4,105
Length (inches)
180.6
185.9
183.3
184.6
Width (inches)
76.2
74.4
74.4
74.9
Height (inches)
64.1
66
64.7
65.3
Ground Clearance (inches)
7.8
8
5.9
8.5
Wheelbase (inches)
106.7
112.1
113.1
112.8
The 2020 Lincoln Corsair is undoubtedly one of the best looking compact crossovers in the market. It is compact in its proportions for sure, but what sets it apart is how beautifully it has been designed. Apart from the standard looks, there are a number of visual packages available for the Corsair. Moreover, two new packages are made available on the Lincoln Corsair for the model year 2021, namely - the Monochromatic Package and the Sport Appearance Package.
The Monochromatic Package of the 2021 Lincoln Corsair adds 20-inch black wheels and body-color exterior trim to the Corsair, while the Sports Appearance package amps up the SUV by adding 20-inch polished wheels, body-colored front and rear bumpers, a black mesh grille, and illuminated door-jamb scuff plates.
2021 Lincoln Corsair Safety
In line with the principles of Ford, Lincoln takes a meticulous approach to instilling safety in its vehicles. The Lincoln Corsair comes with a pretty elaborate safety suite along with some features that can be added during customization.
It received a perfect 5-star rating from NHTSA in 2020 and IIHS rated it “Good”. Furthermore, it was the IIHS 2020 Top Safety Pick for the small SUV category. With such accolades to its name, you can rest assured that you and your loved ones are always covered while traveling.
the new Lincoln Corsair is packed with most of the advanced safety features available within the segment like Pre and Post-collision safety systems, Emergency Braking Assist, Rear parking sensors with a rearview camera, Blind Spot and Lane Departure Warnings Accident Avoidance System, and many more.
Some of the most prominent standard safety and driver-assistance features of the 2021 Lincoln Corsair are:
Engine immobilizer
Stability control
Remote anti-theft alarm system
Pre and Post-collision safety system
Emergency braking assist
Blindspot and lane departure warnings accident avoidance system
The BMW X3 has been a long term competitor of the segment and has proven why it is a worthy adversary time and again. It is packed with the best driver assistance systems on the market and can offer great performance on tap. That being said, the luxurious build and comfort of the Lincoln Corsair are hard to beat, which tips the scales in favor of the American.
2021 BMW X3 SUV
Moreover, with a starting price of $35,945, the Lincoln Corsair is cheaper than the starting price of the 2021 BMW X3 and hence is a better deal in terms of horsepower per dollar. However, the Bimmer scores better than the Lincoln on the reliability aspect, and also offers a greater resale value.
2021 Lincoln Corsair Vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300
However, the Lincoln Corsair is slightly plusher and cost-effective which brings it back in the picture as a force to be reckoned with.
2021 Lincoln Corsair Final Verdict
The Lincoln Corsair announced its arrival very assertively yet in a classic way. Luxurious, utilitarian, comfortable, and most of all, an all American build which is why it is cost-effective and easy to own.
Add to that the lifetime complimentary roadside assistance, you get the winning mix. If you want to get on the luxury bandwagon and yet walk away from the usual German approach, then the 2021 Lincoln Corsair can amaze you.
The Lincoln Corsair gets an FWD drivetrain as standard. However, AWD is offered as an optional extra in the Standard and Reserve trims for a cost of $2,200 extra over the selected trim's MSRP. The new 2021 Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring Trim gets AWD as standard.
Does the Lincoln Corsair require premium fuel?
Lincoln bases the mechanical of the Corsair (hp and torque) on the basis of 93-octane fuel. Hence, yes premium fuel is recommended for the Lincoln Corsair as it's likely that you'll lose a bit of power if you fill-up the car's tank with regular fuel.
Pros - Voice supported directions, Smooth driving dynamics, Heated and ventilated front seats
Cons - Rear camera issues which won't switch on when putting the car in reverse
Corsair has been designed to give the utmost comfort to the occupants. Drives smooth and the only issue I've had in it was with the camera which would not switch when I wanted to back up. Not always but happened on multiple occasions until I bought this issue to the dealerships notice. We have heated and ventilated seats at front. I drive with my wife and having all the ameneties focussed at front is just what I wanted Airy interiors and available options of comfort for every season. Not too boxy or curvy. Just the right amount of both Rear camera was the only issue I had in it which altered the safety to some extent. Thankully the dealership fixed it in no time and free of cost Best dealership experience The dealership was generous enough to give me a discount on leasing it. They have also been great in fixing the issues whenever I visit them The best Lincoln dealership. I've seen car guys having two faces. The nice one when you're there to buy a car and an uglier side when you bring issues in the car to their notice. Not the Tom Roush. They took the issue on themselves and fixed it for me while I was enjoying a coffee in the lounge area
Pros - 1. Miles for a gallon 2.Blue upholstery 3.Reserve appearance package
Cons - 1. Touch screen size 2. Too many buttons and controls for driver
We needed a family hauler and we got it. Drives smooth and ends up with good miles for a gallon numbers. Touch screen looks dinky for the overall size of the car Blue upholstery with black paint job on the outside. I think there are not many cars out there which have this option. What I don't like is the front row cluttered with so many buttons and controls that they could have dumped into that dinky touch screen Nice fit and finish, and best in class paint quality. Reserve appearance package makes it look better than anything on the road Safety is at par because of the features like lincoln drive features, security alarm system, reliable cruise control and brakes Good gas efficiency for an suv of this size and built, solid built quality, and generous warranty period Well it was a good deal considering everything it has Everything went smooth and I was driving back in my new car before I even knew it
Cons - That the acceleration is not linear of course
The nametag Lincoln is sufficient to call it the best suv. The acceleration although isn't linear and the power delivery is just contorted because of the turbocharged engine and I never fancied it Now I know naturally aspirated engine would have been a great option if they had it It's the most expensive trim and sure looks like one inside out. Comfortable seats, loaded with tech, spacious everywhere etc Lincoln has always been known for the design and styling of their cars and Corsair is one fine example why they deserve this tag Once the acceleration starts to feel normal, there is nothing one needs to worry about while driving Lincoln should be the benchmark of quality and reliability Top line trim that has just about everything on top of all the standard features is as thrifty as 537 a month Got the best financing deal on it and even quicker approval
Corsair has been designed to give the utmost comfort to the occupants. Drives smooth and the only issue I've had in it was with the camera which would not switch when I wanted to back up.
by Calvin G. Edwards
8
User Overall Rating
Blue interiors
We needed a family hauler and we got it.
by Jimmy M. Frost
9
User Overall Rating
Lincoln is the benchmark
The nametag Lincoln is sufficient to call it the best suv.