2022 Lincoln Corsair

The 2022 Lincoln Corsair is a compact luxury crossover with upscale lines, a quality cabin, and plenty of turbocharged grunt.

This year, the lineup grows with the long-overdue Grand Touring model that adds a plug-in hybrid powertrain good for about 28 miles of electric-only driving. That’s enough for a typical round-trip commute, making this smallest of Lincoln SUVs an eco-friendly choice for many.

The standard turbo-4 puts out 250 hp, while a 2.3-liter version makes an extra 45 ponies. On those models, an 8-speed automatic transmission is standard. All-wheel drive is available, too.

The plug-in hybrid is the clear fuel-economy champ here. Stick with the base front-wheel-drive model with the turbo engine and you’ll be looking at an EPA rating of 22 mpg city, 29 highway, 25 combined. With the addition of all-wheel drive, those figures fall to 21/29/24 mpg; they’re 21/28/24 with the 2.3-liter turbo-4.

Top safety marks make the Corsair a good choice according to the NHTSA and the IIHS. Standard safety equipment includes active lane control, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitors. For an extra cost, Lincoln will build you one with automatic park assist, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera system.

Model Lineup

The Corsair runs a little over $37,000 to start, which buys ​​power-adjustable and heated front seats, 18-inch alloy wheels wheels, a power tailgate, synthetic leather upholstery, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Navigation, all-wheel drive, and a split-folding rear seat up the price to $40,000 or more.

Next up, the Reserve trim runs about $42,000 and brings to the party standard all-wheel drive and the more powerful turbo-4, plus 24-way-adjustable cooled front seats, digital gauges, 20-inch alloy wheels, a head-up display, an adaptive suspension, a panoramic sunroof, wireless smartphone charging, and leather upholstery. A 14-speaker Revel audio system is optional.

The lineup tops out with the Grand Touring with most of the Reserve’s features plus the plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Exterior

Like a shrunken Aviator, the Corsair wears a signature horizontal grille and slim headlights that fold into the front fenders. It’s lighter on brightwork than its big siblings, though there are still smatterings of chrome trim including faux vents on the front fenders and doors. At the rear, the tailgate has a clamshell-style look with broad lights and delicate “Lincoln” badging.

With wheels ranging from 18 to 20 inches in diameter, the Corsair’s wheel wells never want for rolling stock.

Interior

Shh – the Corsair is a close relative to the Ford Escape, but you’d almost never know it inside. Unique switches, trim, and styling set this upscale model apart. Its low dash pad is accented by rectangular vents and a wide touchscreen, plus pushbutton transmission controls.

It’s understated and intentionally spare – a reminder that luxury needn’t mean busy.

Power-adjustable seats up front include adjustable under-knee support. The rear seat has good room for two and enough space for three in a pinch. It reclines for better long-distance comfort, too.

Behind the rear seat, this Lincoln can lug nearly 28 cubic feet of cargo, or around double that with the seatback folded down.

Materials are top notch throughout, a big step above the Escape – as these prices suggest.

Driving Impressions

The Corsair comes standard with a 250-hp turbo-4 with either front- or all-wheel drive, while an upsized engine with 295 hp for improved passing power is paired only with all-wheel drive. The long-awaited Grand Touring uses a plug-in hybrid powertrain good for commuter-friendly all-electric driving and thrifty, if not exactly rapid, motoring otherwise.

The base turbo-4 is plenty quick, but the larger engine provides more confidence at any speed. Either way, the 8-speed automatic transmission teams well with what’s underhood.

The new Grand Touring should provide quiet acceleration not far off of the base turbo-4. Its 2.5-liter inline-4 may lack a turbocharger, but the electric motor provides assistance. It puts out a combined 266 hp, though it’s slightly heavier than the base model.

Standard coil springs and traditional shocks provide a good ride tuned more for comfort than performance. The optional adaptive dampers serve mostly to counteract 20-inch wheels, a task they perform admirably. Steering response is terrific, lending a hint more driving enthusiasm than we’ve come to expect from small luxury SUVs.

Final Word

The 2022 Lincoln Corsair has svelte lines and a nice interior, plus its turbocharged 4-cylinder engines deliver solid power. This year’s new hybrid adds even more appeal to help balance out this lineup.

–by Andrew Ganz, with driving impressions from The Car Connection