To say Lincoln is on a roll would be an understatement of mega proportions. It all started in 2015 when the brand previewed it's new design direction inside and out at the New York Auto Show with the Continental Concept. Since then, Ford's luxury arm has been the cynosure of many an eye in the Big Apple with the Navigator, Nautilus and Aviator making their debuts in subsequent editions of the show. It's the same in 2019 too with Lincoln previewing it's compact luxury crossover, the Corsair.
Lincoln's smallest crossover - based on the new Ford Escape - would replace the MKC, slotting in below the Aviator in the brand's increasingly-impressive lineup.
The folks at Lincoln struck gold with the Navigator with critics as well as customers loving the way the behemoth SUV looked and pampered the occupants. It's not surprising then to see many of those elements being driven down the order. If the Aviator looked like a mini-Navigator, the Corsair looks like a mini-Aviator. We aren't complaining!
Head-on, high-set swept-back headlights sit on either side of a large chrome-embellished grille with the repeater lamps placed in their own recessed spots below the main light clusters. The grille, like all recent Lincoln models, features exquisite detailing with the mesh mimicking the brand's logo. In profile, you will notice the same sloping roofline, the prominent shoulder line and blacked-out pillars that are seen in the Aviator and the Nautilus. The Corsair moniker sits proudly beneath the rear view mirrors on either side. Taillights that run the width of the car, a muscular boot lid and dual-tone bumper with metallic inserts complete the rear.
If Corsair's exteriors failed to excite you, chances are it's interiors will. The compact Lincoln's interiors are amongst the nicest ones in the segment without a doubt. The dashboard adopts a horizontal layout with unique full-width air-conditioning vents and a center stack that hangs unsupported. The mandatory touchscreen pops out on the other side, featuring Lincoln's SYNC 3.0 infotainment system. While the layout is classy and has a sort of retro-modern feel to it, the center stack - with a host of buttons and knobs - appear cluttered.
A full suite of creature comforts and safety features are part of the standard kit offered with Lincoln's party trick - the 24-way power-adjustable front seats - available as an option. Other Lincoln goodies including extensive sound-proofing and Detroit Symphony Orchestra-recorded chimes for alerts are there too. What's more, the Corsair scores on practicality too with the rear passengers getting a manually-sliding and reclining split seat like the new Escape.
Under the hood lurks a turbocharged 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine that churns out 250 horsepower and 373 Nm of torque. It's the same engine that powers Escape's higher variants. For those looking for more power, a 2.3-liter mill with 30 additional horses and a torque rating of 420 Nm will be on offer. Both engines are mated to a 8-speed automatic transmission. With it's platform-mate Escape announced with conventional and plug-in hybrid powertrain options, the Corsair is expected to get one eventually as well, sitting atop the lineup as the flagship.
With Lincoln still struggling to make enough Navigators to meet demand and interest levels on the Aviator hitting a peak, Lincoln is on an ascent. The Corsair, in all probability, is going to make the climb a bit steeper!
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