2024 Lincoln Corsair Review and Test Drive

Lincoln's compact crossover SUV is a comfortable BlueCruiser.

Christian Wardlaw | 

Sep 27, 2024 | 6 min read

Christian Wardlaw

Lincoln positions itself as a provider of sanctuary, suggesting its vehicles deliver a smooth ride, a quiet cabin, comfortable seats, and technology that engages rather than enrages. That includes the smallest member of its quartet of SUVs, the 2024 Corsair, a compact crossover with seating for five, an available plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powertrain, and a hands-free semi-autonomous driver-assistance system.

The 2024 Lincoln Corsair comes in Premiere, Reserve, and Grand Touring trim levels, and base prices range from the low $40,000s to the mid-$50,000s, including the destination charge to ship the SUV from the Louisville, Kentucky, factory that builds it to your local dealership. Only the Corsair Grand Touring has the PHEV powertrain, making it eligible for a $3,750 federal tax credit.

I test-drove the Corsair Grand Touring in southern Michigan. Optional equipment included a package with features such as heated rear seats and a head-up display, Lincoln's Perfect Position 24-way power-adjustable front seats, and 20-inch wheels, all of which brought the manufacturer's suggested retail price to $67,180, including the $1,395 destination charge. Lincoln provided the vehicle for this Corsair review.

Christian Wardlaw

Is the 2024 Lincoln Corsair a Good SUV?

If you prefer to buy American and also prioritize comfort and user-friendly technology in a stylish and upscale small SUV, the 2024 Corsair may be the right choice for you. That said, with the 2024 Corsair, Lincoln is competing in a hotly contested segment against appealing rivals such as the Audi Q5, Lexus NX, and Volvo XC60. Nevertheless, during two days and hundreds of miles of driving, the Corsair Grand Touring grew on me, and its driver-assistance technology is undeniably impressive.

Christian Wardlaw

Comfort Is King in the Corsair Grand Touring

Though Lincoln bases the Corsair on the Ford Escape, you wouldn't guess that. It has Lincoln's signature chrome-studded grille, floating roof design, tapered silhouette, and an elegant-looking cabin dressed in art deco and midcentury-modern motifs.

Unfortunately, I found some of the materials and detailing less than perfect, and the test car had a glaring trim misalignment at the dashboard-mounted transmission controls. Lincoln thoughtfully provides a volume knob and a smattering of buttons to access frequently used features, but the steering wheel controls are fussy. Also, during my test drive, it was too easy to accidentally activate the push-to-talk button on the steering wheel rim when turning, rousing the digital voice assistant.

My test vehicle had the optional Perfect Position 24-way power front seats. I tried the heating, ventilation, and massage functions and found the seats were quite comfortable during hours of highway travel. Reasonably quiet inside when cruising at speed and equipped with a Revel premium sound system, the Corsair was an excellent road tripper.

Two adults or three kids will find comfort in the Corsair's back seat. Lincoln provides rear air-conditioning vents, and the test vehicle offered heated outboard cushions. The large panoramic sunroof extends over the rear passengers, making the SUV feel roomier.

Grand Touring models have slightly less cargo space than other Corsairs. The PHEV holds 26.9 cubic-feet behind the back seat and 56.2 cu-ft with the rear seats folded down. Those numbers are competitive with the Corsair Grand Touring's rivals.

Christian Wardlaw

Corsair's BlueCruise Self-Driving Tech Is Terrific

Though it looks old-school inside, the 2024 Corsair is loaded with technology. My test car had a 12.3-inch digital driver display, a 13.2-inch touchscreen Sync 4 infotainment system, an extensive collection of Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.1 advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), and BlueCruise 1.2 hands-free highway driving technology.

I typically test vehicles in Los Angeles, where hands-free driving technology often struggles with multilane freeways thick but flowing traffic and drivers who constantly lane-shop to gain an advantage. On Michigan's comparatively empty Interstate 94, BlueCruise opened my eyes to the potential of such systems away from my usual testing grounds.

I used BlueCruise 1.2's hands-free driving, automatic lane-change function, and a feature that is intended to provide extra space between you and larger vehicles traveling in the adjacent lane. While traveling west from Detroit to Lake Michigan, BlueCruise 1.2 successfully navigated numerous challenging construction zones and performed to a high standard.

As the sun dipped toward the horizon ahead, though, the tech became less sure of itself. Also, when a tanker truck drifted onto the center lane as I passed it, the Corsair did not automatically move to the left, so I manually steered the SUV over to give the 18-wheeler more room. In addition, on one of the tighter curves in I-94, the tech alerted me to take control.

Still, BlueCruise is undeniably impressive, and I used it for hundreds of miles of driving. After spending a night in Kalamazoo, I got on I-94 and drove myself for about 15 minutes before remembering I could use BlueCruise. I eagerly set it up and let it take me back across the state to Ann Arbor. Until that moment, I was never eager to use hands-free driving tech in a test vehicle.

Thanks to the infotainment system's Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and 14-speaker Revel audio system, the Corsair kept me well entertained. In addition, Sync 4's native navigation system and capable digital voice assistant flawlessly helped me find multiple destinations while traveling in unknown territory. I also found the sizable touchscreen easy to configure, reference, and use.

Christian Wardlaw

Corsair Grand Touring Offers Electric Driving and Gas Convenience

The Corsair's PHEV powertrain employs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine married to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), a rechargeable battery, and an electric motor. The components produce 266 horsepower to motivate the Corsair Grand Touring's hefty 4,493-pound curb weight. All-wheel drive is standard.

According to the EPA, the Corsair PHEV can travel 28 miles in electric mode and get 33 mpg in combined driving in hybrid mode. Lincoln delivered my test car with 13 miles of electric range, and in the stifling Michigan heat, I traveled 11.3 miles before the gas engine turned on. In three days, I drove nearly 473.8 miles, and though I never plugged the Corsair in, it covered 83.4 of those miles on electricity, boosting my average fuel economy to 32.7 mpg.

Acceleration is quick enough that you likely won't wish for more, and I barely noticed the CVT. The adaptive damping suspension provides an appropriately plush ride when the SUV is in Normal mode, the steering offers commendable on-center feel on the highway, and the brakes always feel natural underfoot, offering good modulation and facilitating smooth, clean stops.

Truly twisty roads are a rarity in southern Michigan, but winding ones exist, including the back roads leading to Hell, Michigan. The Corsair's Excite mode quickens acceleration response, firms up the adaptive suspension, and adds heft to the steering. So calibrated, the SUV proved a willing — though not actually exciting — companion.

I found the 2024 Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring best used in cities and on highways. For genuine excitement in a compact luxury SUV with a PHEV powertrain, you'll probably want something else to drive.

Christian Wardlaw

I liked the Corsair Grand Touring more than I expected, mainly because it was perfect for crisscrossing southern Michigan on I-94 for hours at a time. Lincoln doesn't sell the only PHEV in the segment, though. The Audi Q5, Lexus NX, and Volvo XC60 offer plug-in powertrains, and in 2025, Mercedes will add a GLC PHEV to its lineup. Nevertheless, the Lincoln's comfortable seats, smooth ride, and impressive self-driving technology keep the Corsair competitive.

Christian Wardlaw

My first word was “car.” That’s what I’m told, anyway. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been obsessed with them. The design. The engineering. The performance. And the purpose. I’m a car enthusiast who loves to drive, but I’m also most interested in the cars, trucks, and SUVs that people actually buy. Anybody can tell you that a sports car is fast. What you need to know is whether or not you should buy that new SUV, and why. My life purpose is to help you make that decision.