Following in the footsteps of the Navigator, Aviator, and Nautilus comes the all-new Lincoln Corsair, the latest (and smallest) luxury SUV in the automaker’s lineup, which made its world debut today at the New York International Auto Show.
Expressively designed and effortlessly nimble, the 2020 Lincoln Corsair is a spacious two-row SUV that combines refined power and a wealth of purposeful technologies in a sanctuary from the outside world.
Replacing the aging Lincoln MKC, the all-new Corsair faces off against the likes of BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Infiniti, Lexus and others in the highly competitive luxury crossover segment. But based on what we saw during an early preview of the Corsair, we think it’s going to be a runaway hit for the brand.
Visually, the Corsair embraces elements of both the full-size Lincoln Navigator and three-row Lincoln Aviator, while building on these cues with even more flair, as designers embraced the “Quiet Flight” philosophy. Corsair features exquisite contouring throughout the body section of the door, offering a deep landscape of curvature and relief with a fast-falling roofline.
“Human hands worked to develop those sculpted S-curves and sides, all of which play off light and movement. It is virtually sculpture in motion, a vehicle definitely meant to seduce,” says David Woodhouse, director of design, Lincoln.
The all-new Lincoln Corsair is distinctive enough to stand on its own, yet its sophisticated style, craftsmanship and sanctuary make it unmistakably Lincoln.
Designers obsessed over the interior to create a soothing “sanctuary for the senses”, using a wide horizontal interior design to emphasize space and a sense of calm. Supple, hand-crafted materials and impeccable detailing heighten the sense of well-being, while the floating center stack that houses the climate controls is a nice design touch.
In keeping with the sanctuary theme, painstaking efforts were made to ensure the quietest of rides. A dual-wall dashboard in the engine compartment, active noise control, and an acoustic windshield help keep the cabin whisper quiet. Six unique symphonic chimes, recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, replace standard electronic alerts and add another layer to the calming soundscape of the cabin.
What’s more, this quiet sanctuary provides the perfect soundstage for the specially tuned 14-speaker Revel premium audio system. Placement, tuning, and calibration of the speakers have been designed to ensure audio quality and accuracy. We only had time for a quick demo, but it sounded fantastic!
Up front, “Perfect Position” seats offer 24-way adjustability, massage capability and additional lumbar support for driver and front passenger, allowing them to ride in the lap of luxury. But don’t feel bad for rear passengers, as they’re not doing so bad themselves.
As with the 2020 Ford Escape, of which the Corsair shares its platform with, the second row of seats can slide forward or back up to six inches, giving passengers more legroom, or increasing cargo capacity, depending on your needs. Despite it’s small appearance, cargo space row is very generous, with four massive suitcases fitting inside without a problem.
Three new Lincoln interiors debut on the all-new Corsair – Beyond Blue, with its vivid blue and white palette (my personal favorite), Cashew, a rich tan and black blend, and Medium Slate, a soft gray with touches of Ebony.
Buyers can choose from two engine choices – A standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 250 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque, or an available 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that puts out 280 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Both engines pair with a new 8-speed automatic transmission and offer intelligent all-wheel drive.
Lincoln’s intelligent AWD system optimizes efficiency by seamlessly switching between front- and all-wheel drive depending on road, speed, temperature and other conditions, resulting in all-season confidence behind the wheel and an enhanced ride for passengers.
For AWD models, five selectable drive modes – Normal, Excite, Slippery, Deep Conditions and Conserve – let drivers choose the setting that’s most appropriate for conditions.
The Corsair comes standard with Lincoln Co-Pilot360, a suite of driver-assist features which includes Pre-Collision Assist with automatic emergency braking and Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Information System, a Lane-Keeping System, rear backup camera and auto high-beam lighting. An available upgrade, Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Plus, adds Adaptive Cruise Control, Evasive Steer Assist, Reverse Brake Assist, and Active Park Assist Plus.
Another cool feature is Corsair’s Phone As A Key technology, which as the name suggests, lets owners lock and unlock, open the liftgate and most importantly, start and drive their car with their smartphone – no smart key fob necessary. In addition, it triggers a personal profile to automatically adjust up to 80 features to an owner’s preference.
We are pretty excited about the all-new Lincoln Corsair, which goes on sale this fall. Pricing hasn’t been announced just yet, but we expect it to start around $35,000, slightly higher than the MKC, the model it replaces.
What do you think about the 2020 Lincoln Corsair?
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