In a world that is flooded with luxury crossover SUVs, there is barely any room to grow. That said, the Lincoln Corsair has proven to be one of the better examples in recent years. Whilst the latest iteration might be based on the Ford Bronco Sport’s platform, the Corsair has been working on making its genesis one that counts as a premium-class compact luxury SUV. When it comes to the car itself, the Lincoln Corsair was introduced at the 2019 New York Auto Show.
Lincoln has always been a luxury brand that has been respected not just in the U.S., but also in international export markets such as the United Arab Emirates in the GCC. There are many luxury SUVs in the UAE, though few are as adept at amalgamating a chic design with a high-end cabin as the 2023 Lincoln Corsair. So, let us find out what makes this particular crossover SUV so special.
What’s the design like?
The Lincoln Corsair has a chrome-studded front grille, flanked by dual-beam LED headlights, underscored by a sleek chrome bar, and a sculpted bumper that integrates side intakes and a faux splitter. Along the side, there are “Corsair” fender badges, stylish 20-inch alloy wheels, and a strong character line running between the front door and the rear-most pillar.
The luxury crossover SUV is now available in exterior colors that include Crystal Red and Whisper Blue. Customers in the UAE can also select from other colors including Infinite Black, Pristine White, Silver Radiance, Asher Gray, Ceramic Pearl, and Red Carpet. While this may not be the most enthusiastic design on the planet, the exterior styling of the Corsair comes across as smooth, sophisticated, and relatively contemporary.
Meanwhile, the rear fascia of the 2023 Lincoln Corsair sports sleek LED taillights, a large “Lincoln” branding, a chrome-tipped twin rear exhaust, and a sporty yet urbane rear bumper with a faux air diffuser. With its blacked-out door pillars and a sporty-looking roof-mounted rear spoiler, the Corsair does come across as an upscale urban crossover SUV.
How good is this interior?
While much of this cabin looks and feels nice, certain portions are not that premium in their feeling. For instance, certain panels on the doors feel quite low-rent. To make up for these sub-premium materials, there are higher-end materials spread across this interior. The multi-function steering wheel is clad with decent-quality leather, while the seats and dashboard are swathed in high-quality stitched leather.
There are also metallic trim bits, along with shiny bits on the center console. The digital displays in front of the driver look quite modern and work just as well. The seats feel comfortable and supportive throughout much of the journey, while the NVH levels in the cabin are quite impressive. That said, they are not as impressive as those experienced in the Corsair’s elder siblings. The metallic trim on the upper dashboard looks upscale and modern.
What are the features of the new Lincoln Corsair like?
Being a modern luxury SUV, the 2023 Lincoln Corsair comes with a load of equipment. For example, the features list on this crossover includes ventilated front seats, a multi-zone automatic climate control, a wireless charging pad, paddle shifters, a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto compatibility, adaptive cruise control, Lane Change Assist, Blind Spot Information System, surround-view cameras, adaptive dampers, Reverse Brake Assist, etc.
What’s under the hood of the new Lincoln Corsair?
Power for the new Lincoln Corsair comes from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 250 hp and 373 Nm of torque. Depending on the market, the Corsair comes with driver-selectable drive modes such as Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Conserve. An 8-speed automatic gearbox ensures the thrust from the engine reaches an all-wheel-drive system with Torque Vectoring Control, which results in a 0-100 km/h time of just over 7 seconds.
How much does it cost?
The 2023 Lincoln Corsair starts from just under AED 185,000 in the UAE. Competitors for the Corsair include the Volvo XC60, GMC Terrain Denali, BMW X3, Lexus NX, and Mercedes-Benz GLC. While it may not impress every buyer looking for a car in this genre, the new Lincoln Corsair will impress those who want a premium American crossover that has a neat and comfortable cabin with a multitude of features.
