Meet the substitute for the Ford Escape-based Lincoln MKC. The 2020 Lincoln Corsair hits the street this fall with a brand new look, a great deal of new expertise and a brand new angle. But it surely’s not simply an replace with a catchy new title. The Corsair — alongside the three-row Aviator — is the harbinger of a form of renaissance throughout the Lincoln model, debuting good new applied sciences and efficiency geared toward elevating the automaker within the luxurious area.

Within the sheetmetal, the Corsair is surprisingly small, even for this already compact luxurious class. The Lincoln’s 180.6-inch size is a bit shorter than the Lexus NX (182 inches) and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class (183.Three inches), slotting someplace between the Audi Q3 (177 inches) and Q5 (184 inches). The Lincoln’s small stature is exaggerated barely by concave doorways that curve inward, creating the SUV equal of a slender waist.

Up entrance, the Corsair options the identical design parts as the brand new Aviator, together with the notched chrome grill with hexagonal cutouts echoing the Lincoln star badge. Jewel LED headlamps are matched with sharp daytime working lights. The complete entrance finish is extra upright than the outgoing MKC, which makes the Corsair look a bit just like the cutest little Navigator you ever did see. Out again, sharp taillights stretch throughout the SUV’s Audi-esque rear finish, simply beneath an built-in spoiler that provides a sporty end to the Corsair’s silhouette.

Two turbocharged choices

Beneath the Corsair’s hood is considered one of two turbocharged, four-cylinder engine choices. The bottom 2.Zero-liter makes 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, which it sends to both the entrance wheels or by way of Lincoln’s all-wheel drive system. My instance, nonetheless, has the upgraded 2.Three-liter turbo, which makes 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque with customary AWD.

So geared up, the Corsair has a meaty, broad torque curve that gives good acceleration off the road and round city. It isn’t what I would name a sporty powertrain, however Lincoln is not shy about its consolation and calmness targets being a very powerful targets for the Corsair. In truth, Lincoln went by way of nice lengths to scale back the quantity of engine noise within the cabin — there is no faux digital exhaust sound and no induction noise piped in — with lively digital sound cancellation and a great deal of passive sound deadening. Pop the hood and peek into the nook, for instance, and also you would possibly spot insulating material stuffed into sure open areas behind physique panels to take in street noise and resonant sounds. 

Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow

Whichever powertrain you select, the Corsair packs a easy, eight-speed computerized transmission to enhance its supple suspension. The compact SUV is accessible with an adaptive suspension, which provides a bit extra dealing with edge within the goofily named “Excite” sport drive mode. Just like the Aviator, the Corsair options 5 drive modes with foolish names reminiscent of Preserve, Slippery and Deep Situations. Excite is the sportiest, with sharper throttle response and a extra agile tune for the ability steering and suspension. However even then, the Corsair feels prefer it was made for cruising. 

Small scale luxurious

As they cruise, Corsair drivers will likely be handled to a cabin that is impressed by the bigger Aviator, however is not precisely a scaled-down copy. Look intently and also you would possibly discover a barely extra plasticky appear and feel to the supplies, however they’re nonetheless of a reasonably luxurious high quality with nice-feeling leather-based trim, chrome-look particulars and piano black finishes. 

Aesthetically, it isn’t precisely my cup of tea, however I can recognize the match, end and spectacular options, like Lincoln’s 24-way power-adjustable seats with individually articulated thigh helps, a number of therapeutic massage packages, heated and ventilated surfaces. With a lot adjustability, it took me a while to get the seat set excellent. However as soon as I did it, the custom-made consolation was properly definitely worth the effort. 

Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow

The Corsair saves your seating place and different preferences to a driver profile, which will be tied to a key fob or a Bluetooth-paired cellphone utilizing Lincoln’s Telephone As Key characteristic. Just like the bigger Aviator, this enables drivers to make use of their telephones to manage, unlock and begin the Corsair with out unlocking the cellphone or eradicating it from its pocket or purse. Try my first drive of the Aviator for extra particulars on the way it works.

My instance additionally encompasses a panoramic moonroof that stretches all the best way behind the second row which, by the best way, is the one sliding second row within the compact, luxurious section. This characteristic, which I’ve solely ever seen on three-row SUVs, permits some flexibility between having a number of legroom on the second row and a bit extra cargo capability for the rear, relying on the day’s wants. The Corsair can swallow as much as 27.6 cubic toes of cargo behind the rear row or about 57.6 cubic toes with the seats folded flat.

Sync tech with Imaginative and prescient Steering Wheel

Within the dashboard — or slightly, on the dashboard — the Corsair encompasses a smaller, Eight-inch model of the touchscreen show from the Aviator. It nonetheless stands proud like a sore thumb with its tablet-like design, and continues to be powered by the latest-generation Sync Three infotainment software program. The OEM navigation, apps and interface are fairly good and simple to make use of, and the Corsair comes customary with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, do you have to determine to deliver your individual maps and apps alongside. 

My one nitpick with the onboard software program is that when beginning turn-by-turn navigation, the voice steerage tells me to “bear in mind to obey all site visitors legal guidelines.” I needn’t hear that firstly of each single journey, particularly when I’ve to click on “Agree” on a Sync disclaimer each time I begin the automobile. Let’s simply assume that the proprietor has a driver’s license, OK?

Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow

One other carryover from the Aviator’s cabin is the slick Imaginative and prescient Steering Wheel with its illuminated controls and weirdo placement of the voice button at 10 o’clock on the wheel. Ergonomically, it falls naturally to the thumb for three-and-nine drivers, however those that maintain their fingers at ten-and-two would possibly get some false triggers when steering. (Personally, I exploit the superior three-and-nine grip, so it wasn’t a difficulty for me.) Nevertheless, I like that this wheel solely illuminates the buttons akin to characteristic at the moment getting used to scale back distraction. So, for instance, the cruise management and lane-keeping buttons do not mild up till the Co-Pilot 360 system is armed. It is a small however good element. 

Co-Pilot 360

Talking of Co-Pilot 360, the Corsair options — you guessed it — related customary and non-obligatory Co-Pilot 360 and Co-Pilot 360 Plus driver support suites because the bigger Aviator. Out of the field, Co-Pilot 360 brings customary precollision braking help with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping steering help and lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring and a rear digicam.

Stepping as much as the non-obligatory Co-Pilot 360 Plus suite provides adaptive cruise management that works in stop-and-go site visitors jams, stronger lane-centering steering help, reversing computerized emergency braking and a 360-degree digicam system. So geared up, the Corsair additionally positive factors Lively Park Help Plus, which may mechanically steer the SUV right into a parallel or perpendicular parking area.

Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow

Pricing and competitors

Just like the Aviator, the Corsair makes a strong first impression and has me enthusiastic about the remainder of this Lincoln renaissance. The automaker is anticipated to debut a plug-in hybrid Corsair later this 12 months (just like the Escape) and — after the Aviator Grand Touring PHEV exceeded all of my expectations — I am much more excited to see what Lincoln does with the smaller mannequin. 

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair begins at $36,940, together with $995 for vacation spot prices. Almost totally loaded, my instance rolls out at $59,660 because of upgrades like the two.Three-liter engine with AWD, adaptive suspension, expertise package deal, Co-Pilot 360 Plus, Reserve assortment luxurious upgrades, styling enhancements and extra.

That value vary is a bit richer than the Cadillac XT4 or Buick Envision, however the Corsair stands head-and-shoulders above them. Aesthetically, I desire the Caddy inside and outside, however with so many good options and extra energy for each the two.0T and a pair of.3T choices, I would slightly dwell with the Lincoln. The Corsair additionally faces pleasant competitors from Lexus’ NX, the brand new Acura RDX and Mercedes’ GLC, buying and selling efficiency and worth blows with the section’s heavy hitters. That I am even capable of take into account a Lincoln a worthy competitor to a Mercedes is proof the Corsair has a very good factor going.