This week, I have an entry into the smaller luxury SUV segment, the 2024 Corsair from Lincoln. This is a popular segment and Corsair competes with the Genesis GV70, Cadillac XT4, Lexus NX, and others. The Corsair replaced the MKC in 2020 and went through a major update in 2023.
On the Car Pro Show, when a listener is wanting something super comfortable, or the caller has had back problems in their life, I usually recommend a Lincoln SUV. The seating adjustments are unlike any SUV I’ve reviewed, and if you can’t get comfortable in the Corsair seats, you may need to see my chiropractor. My review vehicle is the Reserve edition, the top-of-the-line in the pure gas version of this SUV.
Exterior
The exterior appearance of the Corsair is very attractive. LED headlights and taillights look great, there is a new, larger grill in front that carries the design cues of the larger Lincoln SUVS.
There are beautiful 20” bright machined aluminum wheels. There is a nice spoiler at the back, if only the rear wiper were tucked under it. Chrome functional dual exhaust sits under the rear bumper. The color is amazing, it is Whisper Blue Metallic. All-in-all, the new Corsair is simply beautiful, it doesn’t look like a compact SUV, and the word that really comes to mind is elegant.
Powertrain
Under the hood, my review vehicle has the 2.0-liter Turbocharged inline 4-cylinder that produces 250-horses and 275-pound feet of torque. It is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission with shift paddles, and it has plenty of get up and go. My review SUV is all-wheel drive. You can also opt for a plug-in hybrid version, but the range on pure electric is fairly limited to 27-miles, and that adds about $9,000 to the price.
Interior
As you enter the cabin, the front seats are contoured and bolstered, they are perforated for maximum heating and cooling comfort, and they are heavily stitched. They will massage you and there are different settings for that, and it gives you a true massage. Both front seats are 24-way adjustable with lumbar support and even power thigh supports that move up and down for maximum comfort. There are three memory settings, most vehicles only have two.
Sit down behind the wheel and there is a large, configurable driver information center that is easy to operate from the steering wheel. It is easy to read and gives you a ton of information including current trip data. As you look through the windshield there is massive head-up display that gives you your speed, the time and temperature, it shows when your blinker is on, and sign recognition.
There is a center 13.2” screen that operates all the audio settings, navigation, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and all air conditioning controls. You can also use Alexa from there. The screen also doubles as your 360-degree camera system which has superb clarity. There is a full screen of apps and you can add your favorites. This is also where you control the air conditioning functions and seat functions.
The screen is where you control the settings of the vehicle, the terrific 14-speaker Revel audio system, and set the driver assistance as you want it. I love that you can turn on and leave on the auto hold feature.
Moving down from the center screen are push buttons for the gear you wish to drive in, a wireless phone charger, two cup holders, two USB-C ports, and some switches to turn off the stop/start, emergency flashers, parking assist to let the vehicle parallel park itself, max defroster, camera choices, and you can choose drive modes from a round knob. There is my favorite Excite, but there are also Normal, Conserve, and Slippery. Each drive mode changes the way this SUV performs. There is also a soft center console glove box, and there is an electronic parking brake.
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I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of back seat room in the Corsair and how comfortable the seats are, much like the front. Rear occupants get their own climate controls, there are two USB-C ports, and the back bench seat is heated, but not air conditioned. The seats recline, and there is a pull down armrest with cup holders. Leg and headroom are fantastic, and I was worried about the headroom due to the sloping roofline, but people even well over 6-feet tall would be OK.
Cargo area is sufficient at 28 cubic-feet behind the 2nd-row seat, and it is huge with the 2nd-row seat folded down, offering you 57.6 cubic feet, but the seats come short of folding flat. You can fold the 2nd-row down from the cargo area with buttons, and you can fold them in two parts for long objects. There is a compact spare underneath and extra room for some storage.
Standard Equipment and Options
The Corsair I have is as you would expect, fully loaded with all the standard Lincoln safety features, including blind spot warning, cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking. As standard, you get remote start, a power liftgate, ambient lighting, along with all the power equipment.
This one has the 202A Equipment Group which sets you back $11,400 and includes: Rain sensing wipers, wiper deicer, a huge panoramic Vista roof with power sliding cover, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seat, heated steering wheel with power tilt and telescoping, wireless charging pad, the Revel audio, the head-up display, Ford’s Blue Cruise self-driving system, park assist, and front and rear parking sensors.
Other extra charge items are $750 for the paint, $1,295 for the 24-way front seats, and $1,150 for the 20” wheels.
Blue Cruise
A word on the Blue Cruise, Ford’s semi-self-driving system. This feature allows you to operate your vehicle hands-free while you are monitored by a driver-facing camera to make sure you’re keeping your eyes on the road while driving on prequalified sections of divided highways called Hands-Free Blue Zones that make up over 130,000 miles of North American roads. If you are not on an approved road, the system will not engage. I tested the system and it works very well.
MPG, MSRP and Towing
Fuel economy is rated at 21 city and 28 highway, for a combined 24 miles per gallon. Towing capacity is 3,000 pounds. Pricing is reasonable for all you get, and it is in line with the competition at $61,395 before dealer discounts and factory incentives.
Verdict
In closing, the Corsair drives very well, the ride is smooth, acceleration is fine, and it is incredibly quiet inside. If you need a compact luxury SUV, this one should be looked at because it truly is a luxury SUV. Some in the segment are very nice, but they don’t offer the 24-way seats in front, which really sets this one apart.
To view larger photos see the slideshow below on CarPro.com.
- What I liked most: The interior, the technology, the appearance, the quiet ride, and the comfortable seats.
- What I would change: I’d prefer more buttons and knobs instead of going through the touchscreen.
- MSRP: As equipped $45,415 base price, as equipped $61,395 with destination.
- Fuel Economy: Rated at 21 in town, 28 highway, 24 Combined.
- Official Color: Whisper Blue Metallic Clearcoat.
- Odometer reading when tested: 3,300 miles.
- Weight: 3,865 pounds
- Spare Tire: Compact spare.
- Length-Width-Height: 181.4” long/83” wide/64.1” high.
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 16,2 gallons with the filler on the driver’s side.
- Towing Capacity: 3,000 pounds.
- 2024 Corsair Reserve in a few words: A whole lot of luxury packed into a compact SUV.
- Warranty: 4-year/50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper, 6-year/70,000 mile power train warranty with roadside assistance.
- Final Assembly Location: Louisville, Kentucky.
- Manufacturers website: www.Lincoln.com
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