2022 Lincoln Corsair

Representing the brand's best-selling model, the Lincoln Corsair moves into the new year with the hopes of putting up a fight against rivals like the Cadillac XT4 and the Lexus NX. And, while its reasonable starting price and classy interior have it earning a few points in the competition, the compact crossover doesn't offer much in the lineup if you're searching for driver engagement and a fun driving experience. If you were hoping to get the adrenaline flowing, you'd be better off looking at the BMW X3 or Audi Q5, but if it's a comfortable family cruiser you're after, you should be quite happy with the latest Corsair. The Corsair's powertrain options range from a default 250-horsepower 2.0-liter turbofour-cylinder to a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-pot with 295 hp, and, for the eco-conscious (or those that want lower fuel bills) there is the Grand Touring Plug-In Hybrid model, too. But with the upper-tier models asking for a few thousand dollars more over the base trim, how much luxury does the luxury-oriented brand actually give you?

Most will find the 2022 Lincoln Corsair to be an attractive SUV, although some may feel it's a little too bland. Still, it has an assertive stance with its dominant grille and angled LED headlights that feature signature DRLs. There are LED taillights at the rear too, and a power liftgate is standard - hands-free access is optionally available. Base models ride on 18-inch wheels while the rest of the range gets 19s. A panoramic vista roof is optional to the lower two trims, but the Grand Touring gets it as standard.

As far as compact SUVs and crossovers go, the Lincoln has appropriate dimensions. With a wheelbase of 106.7 inches, the Corsair's total length comes to 180.6 inches. Width excluding mirrors is 74.3 inches, and it stands 64.1 inches tall. The height of the Grand Touring model is slightly less, at 63.8 inches.

It's a hefty vehicle, though, with base models weighing 3,703 pounds. Add all-wheel drive and curb weight goes up to 3,843 lbs. Grand Touring configurations tip the scales at 4,532 lbs thanks to all the extras required for the plug-in hybrid system.

Nine colors are available to the base Corsair, with Infinite Black, Silver Radiance, Asher Gray, and Elite Blue as the no-cost options - the latter is new for 2022. Shell out $695 extra and you can have your crossover in Ceramic Pearl, Red Carpet, Pristine White, or one of the new hues for this model year: Ocean Drive Blue or Bronze Smoke. Reserve and Grand Touring models get Flight Blue additionally, at a $695 surcharge. We prefer the darker, more demure hues for the Corsair, simply because it doesn't have any particularly sporty aesthetics to show off a bright red or blue.

There's actually some variety available across the range when it comes to performance, with three powertrains to choose from. Gas-only models come with a 250-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four motor by default, but you can upgrade to a more powerful 295-hp 2.3-liter turbo-four if you need a little more gusto, by means of the Sport Package option. The top-spec PHEV model features a 2.5-liter inline-four hybrid setup that makes 266 hp combined.

Both the gas motors manage the 0-60 mph sprint in around six seconds, with the 2.3-liter being quicker by a tenth of a second, according to independent tests. The plug-in version is likely to be impressive too, although we haven't had the opportunity to test drive it just yet. Regardless of the power plant, the top speed is limited to 130 mph, and when correctly equipped the gas-only Corsair models can tow up to 3,000 lbs.

The standard engine on the 2022 Corsair crossover is a 2.0L turbocharged inline four-cylinder unit that produces 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. It's paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission and power is sent to the front wheels by default. All-wheel drive is optional.

For slightly better performance, you can opt for the 2.3L turbocharged inline-four engine, which comes only with all-wheel drive. It keeps the same eight-speed auto, but results in slightly quicker acceleration and promises to be a little more lively, thanks to outputs of 295 hp and 310 lb-ft. The Grand Touring's plug-in powertrain makes 266 hp combined, is mated to a CVT and comes as AWD only.

Despite being a small SUV, the Corsair still has a bit of weight to lug around and in that regard, the base motor manages to do its job admirably. We're more disappointed by the lack of substantial improvement with the larger turbo-four, as the difference in performance is quite negligible. Either way, getting up to speed is quite acceptable for the segment and you won't need to hesitate to overtake on the highway. The transmission does its job without too much of a fuss, although it could be a little more refined.

Lincoln markets itself as a luxury brand and when it comes to providing comfortable, serene driving experiences, it hits the mark. The Corsair's well-tuned chassis isolates occupants from road bumps and abrasions and there's enough cabin damping to keep road and wind noise at bay. Adaptive suspension is standard on the Grand Touring models but can be added to the Reserve trims too if you want even more cushioning. Passengers won't mind spending time in the Corsair, and while it's not an entertaining or overly-fun driving experience for the one behind the wheel, it's pleasant and compliant. The steering feels light and precise, and the SUV is quite easy to maneuver.

All models get the Lincoln Drive modes, including 'Excite', which is really just Lincoln's take on 'Sport' - it firms up the suspension setting and tweaks the transmission shifts a little, but it's not really enough to warrant calling the drive sporty (which is maybe why the manufacturer opted for the more accurate 'excite' descriptor). Throw it into corners at speed and you'll get noticeable body roll, so while the Corsair is by no means a rival for the likes of more athletic SUVs like the BMW X3 or Audi Q5, it handles daily driving and even longer road trips brilliantly.

Grand Touring models have PHEV-specific drive modes called Preserve EV and Pure EV, with the former banking electric power for when you need it most by utilizing both the engine and electric motors; Pure EV mode allows the Corsair to run on electricity alone, in near silence.

As much as the performance from the two gas powertrains is similar, so too is fuel economy. Gas mileage figures from the EPA suggest that the FWD Corsair with the 2.0-liter engine will achieve 22/29/25 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycles, while the AWD versions drop a point for city and combined ratings: 21/29/24 mpg. Upgrading to the 2.3-liter engine sees highway ratings take a knock from there, with figures of 21/28/24 mpg. The PHEV will attain 78 MPGe and 33 mpg combined, and it provides an all-electric range of 28 miles.

Gas models are fitted with a 16.2-gallon fuel tank, and in the most frugal guise, should manage around 405 miles before needing to find a gas station. Plug-in Hybrid models get a smaller 11.1-gallon tank and have a total range of 430 miles. For the PHEV, the battery takes around 10-11 hours for a full charge using a 110-volt outlet, or three to four hours with a 240-volt, Level 2 charge.

The cabin of the Corsair remains a high point, and with loads of space and plush materials, the five occupants will not be opposed to spending time in it. Still, the Corsair doesn't get the luxury that comes with the brand's Black Label trims, so if you want the plushest Corsair, you'll have to opt for the Grand Touring PHEV. That said, even base models are well-equipped with comfort features like dual-zone climate control and Soft Touch seats that are heated for the front occupants. Head- and legroom up front are ample, and most adults will be quite comfortable in the back seat too. The overall look is uncluttered and neat, with high-quality materials covering most surfaces. If you look closely, you'll find a few plastic bits and pieces, but it feels quite upmarket.

The Lincoln Corsair is a five-seater crossover with two rows of seating that are perfectly adequate for four adults, or two adults up front and three youngsters abreast in the back. The front seats offer good support and, even in the base spec, allow for ten-way power adjustment with lumbar support and a memory function for the driver. Optional Perfect Position 24-way seats with a massage function can be specced optionally on upper trims, but heating is standard, as is. The Corsair has 39.5 inches of headroom in the front, and 38.7 inches in the second row, but this drops by around an inch if you opt for the sunroof-equipped models. The sliding rear seats are worth a mention as this allows you to find the most useful balance of rear-seat legroom and cargo space.

Lincoln strives to provide customers with comfort and luxury, and the Corsair represents this philosophy relatively well for the price range. Base models already have Lincoln's Soft Touch seats, while the Reserve and above get Bridge of Weir Deepsoft leather-trimmed seats and a leather-trimmed steering wheel. Standard color schemes for the interior include Sandstone, Ebony/Medium Slate, and plain Ebony, but the Reserve and Grand Touring trims get Ebony/Cashew, additionally.

While Reserve and Grand Touring models have access to genuine wood interior trim, the Standard has only pinstripe aluminum trim on the menu.

Cargo capacity behind the second row of seats is 27.6 cubic feet on gas-only models, with 26.9 cubes on the PHEV version. If you need more space, you can fold down the 60/40 split-folding rear seats for 57.6 cubes in total - plug-in models still have 56.2 cubic feet available. These figures aren't class-leading, but it's more than enough to cater to the school run, grocery shopping, or even taking the Labradoodle to the park.

There are also loads of little storage nooks and crannies in the cabin to keep your phone or wallet, with a sizable center console with a large storage bin, a glovebox, and big door pockets that can hold bottles, too. There is an overhead console with a sunglasses holder, and two cupholders up front for your favorite Starbucks beverage.

The features list is generous and covers luxury, convenience, and safety elements, including thoughtful little touches like symphonic chimes that have actually been recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for Lincoln. Dual-zone climate control, intelligent access with push-button start, remote start, a 6.5-inch color cluster display, and ten-way power-adjustable front seats with heating are standard from the base model, while upper trims get ambient lighting, a power tilt/telescoping steering column, a universal garage door opener, and a larger 12.3-inch color driver information display.

In terms of safety, the Corsair has the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.5 suite equipped throughout the range which comprises driver aids like pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, a rearview camera, cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist, rear parking sensors, and forward-collision warning. You can upgrade to front-side-rear parking sensors, or add reverse brake assist, a head-up display, a surround-view camera, and evasive steering optionally.

When it comes to infotainment, Lincoln provides a user-friendly setup on the Corsair. The standard system uses an eight-inch LCD touchscreen display that runs Ford's SYNC 3 software. It is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and has SiriusXM Radio and two smart charging USB ports. Navigation is added to the Reserve and Grand Touring.

The standard sound system is a Lincoln Premium Audio setup with ten speakers, which includes a subwoofer. From the Reserve, you can option have a 14-speaker Revel unit instead, which includes HD Radio technology.

Although the 2022 model year is currently recall-free, 2021 iterations were subject to three. Reasons for the recalls include a faulty rearview camera, a potentially leaky fuel delivery module, and inadequate lubrication in the rear drive unit. The recall history for the Corsair isn't particularly great, with three additional issues noted for 2020 models that included more rearview camera problems, missing or loose bolts on the start/stop accumulator, and rear coil springs prone to fracturing.

Despite this, J.D. Power awarded the Corsair with a high score for quality and reliability: 87 out of 100. To provide peace of mind, Lincoln covers new Corsair crossovers with a generous four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Safety reviews of the latest Lincoln crossover are positive. From the NHTSA, the comprehensive review of the 2022 Lincoln Corsair resulted in a full five-star overall rating, full marks for frontal and side crash tests, and four out of five for rollover evaluations. Notably, the PHEV model hasn't been tested individually in the USA.

Over at the IIHS, the 2021 Corsair was named a Top Safety Pick but this applies only to models with specific headlights. The 2022 Corsair achieved maximum 'Good' crashworthiness ratings in every category.

Safety is covered thoroughly in the little family carrier, with the prerequisite rearview camera as standard, and there are multiple airbags that include a driver's knee airbag and side-curtain airbags. Pre-collision assist, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist, cruise control, and rear parking sensors are standard. The options list allows you to add a more comprehensive parking sensor array, reverse brake assist, a head-up display, evasive steering, and a surround-view monitor. Intelligent adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and speed sign recognition are also up for grabs.

The Corsair has been around for two years, and while the brand does an admirable job of providing a reasonably-priced compact crossover with a luxury focus, we're not sure it's right for those who want something more than just a classy family carrier. There's not much to write home about in terms of performance, regardless of which powertrain you opt for - in fact, the difference between the two gas options may seem substantial on paper, but is rather disappointing on the tarmac. It's also far from being a fun vehicle to drive. On the other hand, it comes into its own in terms of offering a plush cabin and a comfortable ride - passengers won't be opposed to longer drives. There's enough on the features list and in the safety suite to give you peace of mind, too, and a high reliability score means this is an ideal car for the burgeoning family. So, if you're not opposed to the base model (or willing to fork out a few thousand for some posh extras), the Corsair won't disappoint.

With a starting price of $36,105 for the base model in FWD guise, the Corsair offers an attractive proposition in the compact crossover segment. Upgrading to AWD means adding the Corsair I equipment group at an overall additional cost of $4,850. Alternatively, selecting the 2.3-liter turbo four-pot will add a total of $7,350 to your bill, and includes AWD.

Reserve models have an MSRP of $40,825 with the base engine and FWD, with an extra $2,300 required to have AWD. The more potent powertrain with AWD requires an outlay of $4,800 extra over and above the base Reserve model. If you want the PHEV, the sticker price of the Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring is $50,330. On a positive note, the PHEV did qualify for a tax credit of $6,843 at the time of writing. These prices are exclusive of a $1,195 destination fee.

With three models making up the 2022 Lincoln Corsair range, there's some variety on the menu. The Standard is the base model, followed by the Reserve. Grand Touring models top the lineup, as the plug-in hybrid variant. Both the Standard and Reserve are FWD and have a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine by default, but a 2.3-liter turbocharged motor is available, as is all-wheel drive.

All models have LED headlamps and taillamps and a power liftgate. The Standard also has dual-zone climate control, power-adjustable front seats with heating, a ten-speaker sound system, and an eight-inch touchscreen interface running SYNC 3 software from Ford. Safety kit is comprehensive and the highlights here are blind-spot monitoring, multiple airbags, rear parking sensors, and lane-keep assist.

The mid-range Reserve adds 19-inch wheels and nicer leather upholstery. It also enjoys navigation, a garage door opener, a 12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Finally, the PHEV-only Grand Touring comes with a power panoramic vista roof and an adaptive suspension. It's also the only model to get illuminated front door-sill scuff plates and a pedestrian warning sounder when it is operating in EV mode.

There are a few ways to customize your Corsair, depending on trim. For the base model, the Corsair I equipment group will add easy-fold rear seats, voice-activated touchscreen capability with navigation, ambient lighting, and unique 18-inch wheels. It costs $2,550. The panoramic vista roof can be specified for $1,700, and the Towing Package costs $500.

On Reserve models, the Reserve I equipment group is priced at $5,300 and it adds a sunroof along with the contents of the Elements Package and the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.5 Plus Package. That means you'll equip extras like heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and rain-sensing wipers with wiper de-icer.

For $2,500, the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.5 Plus group on its own will equip a surround-view camera, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, active park assist, evasive steering, forward sensing, and a reverse brake assist. The $2,200 Luxury Package fits a head-up display and the 14-speaker Revel sound system, but you can't specify this without the Elements Package too, effectively raising the price by $3,300.

The Sport Package equips the turbocharged 2.3-liter engine, and, priced at $2,500, adds 20-inch wheels, sportier exterior aesthetics, and AWD alongside the bigger powertrain.

The range for 2022 is limited to three trims, and depending on your powertrain of choice, picking a trim is a no-fuss affair. If you're going the hybrid route, there's only the Grand Touring to choose from. If you're trying to decide between the gas models, the difference between the Standard and Reserve is around $4,700 - both have access to the same power- and drivetrain options, but feature differences need a closer look. The Reserve gets leather seating and access to genuine wood interior trim, and has a leather-wrapped steering wheel, ambient lighting, and a frameless rearview mirror as standard. The steering column is power-adjustable and has a memory setting, and the color driver information cluster is 12.3-inches - a big improvement over the 6.5 inches on the Standard. Navigation is added to the Reserve, but you do also get access to more upgrades, including the Revel sound system, upgraded seats, and a hands-free liftgate, to name just a few. Personally, we'd be happy with the Grand Touring for the gas mileage benefits,

All-new for 2022, the Lexus NX starts at just under $38k for the entry-level car. Base models have a 203-hp 2.5-liter engine, and there are two hybrids available with up to 304 hp in the top-spec version. As far as features go, the compact Lexus is well-specced with features that include LED lights, a ten-speaker sound system, a larger 9.8-inch infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and faux leather upholstery. The driver assist suite on the NX includes adaptive cruise control off the bat. There's much more customization available in the Lexus lineup, although pricing also spreads upwards of $56,900 for a fully loaded F Sport derivative - much higher than the top-spec Corsair. Neither of these crossovers is particularly sporty, though, regardless of the F Sport's name, and both feel more like the comfortable cruisers they are designed to be. Lexus just does a better job of making the cabin feel special. So, if we had to choose, we'd err on the side of the Lexus NX.

One step up from the Corsair, the Nautilus brings a slightly larger body to the table, and with it, a little more space in the cabin. You'll need to shell out around $42,500 for the base model here, and you get access to the Black Label trim for the ultimate in luxury - but this requires an outlay of $65k. The Nautilus comes with a 13.2-inch capacitive touchscreen in the center stack from the base model, and has blind-spot monitoring and pedestrian detection as part of the basic driver assistance suite. It runs upgraded software in the form of SYNC 4 but has similar infotainment options to the Corsair. Under the hood, the Nautilus has two powertrain options to hustle the larger body along, including a 250-hp 2.0-liter engine, and a 335-hp 2.7-liter V6. Both powertrains perform their job adequately, and these siblings actually score similarly in our rankings for what they are priced at. If you need a bit more space, opt for the Nautilus. Otherwise, it's really much of a muchness.