There were a lot of SUVs revealed during the 2019 New York Auto Show, but one that truly stood out was the 2020 Lincoln Corsair. It’s the company’s replacement for the MKC and is their smallest SUV in the lineup. Let’s dive deeper into this model and see what’s unique about the new Lincoln SUV.

Trims & Pricing

The new Corsair is available in two trims: Standard or Reserve. Pricing for the base model begins at $35,945, which is more than the MKC cost. Still, even with the higher price tag, this vehicle still comes in lower than many compact luxury SUVs right now.

All-wheel drive doesn’t come on the Standard trim but can be added for $3,600. If you prefer to upgrade to the Reserve, expect to pay a starting price of $42,630. Of course, there are a lot more amenities that go with this higher cost.

We haven’t heard about a Black Label option for the Corsair, yet. Based on what we know from the company, it seems inevitable that this option will be offered at some point.

Interior & Exterior Style

The Corsair sits in the lineup behind a two-row Nautilus, three-row Aviator and full-size Navigator. What you see is that this vehicle carries with it many of the same styling cues from the larger Lincoln SUVs. You will notice the signature grille, blacked-out D-pillar to create a rear wraparound window design and flowing lines running the full body length.

Stepping into the interior is nothing short of magical. The automakers produced a quiet cabin with the Active Noise Control, acoustic windshield and available acoustic side glass. There’s also a tablet-like touch screen that sits on top of the floating dashboard instead of being embedded into it like most vehicles.

The modern SYNC3 infotainment system features an eight-inch touch screen. This comes complete with two power outlets, a ten-speaker sound system, Wi-Fi hot spot, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Some optional features include a wireless charging pad, head-up display, voice-activated navigation plus a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

Both the front passenger and drive receive ten-way power-adjustable seats that come standard with heat. There is also a standard dual-zone climate control inside the SUV. Options include a panoramic glass roof, heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats. In the rear, there is a 60/40 split folding bench and optional heated seat as well.

The Corsair comes with a longer wheelbase than the outgoing MKC. This provides more space in the cargo hold. With the rear seats folded, you gain access to 57.6 cubic feet of room. Add in the power liftgate for maximum versatility.

Performance

The Lincoln Corsair comes with two powertrain options. The standard 2.0-liter turbo-four produces 250 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. With the Reserve trim, you can opt for a 2.3-liter turbo-four instead that puts out 280 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.

Both of these engines pair to an eight-speed automatic and come with standard front-wheel drive, although all-wheel drive is available.

The intelligent AWD system responds to road conditions, speed and ambient air temperature to provide maximum grip. There are also five drive modes: Normal, Slippery, Conserve, Deep Conditions and Excite.

Safety

Lincoln Co-Pilot360 comes standard on all Corsair models. This standard equipment includes pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, blind spot detection with cross-traffic alert, dynamic brake support, forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams and a rearview camera. Other standard equipment includes post-impact braking, rear parking sensors plus the SOS post-crash alert system.

Drivers can upgrade to the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Plus which adds adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, a 360-degree camera, road sign recognition, evasive steer assist, active park assist plus, reverse brake assist and front parking sensors.

How Does the 2020 Lincoln Corsair Measure Against Competition?

There’s a lot of other models in the compact luxury SUV segment right now. To compete, the Corsair must battle the Audi Q5, Porsche Macan plus the Mercedes-Benz GLC to come out on top. Other challengers include the Infiniti QX50, Alfa Romeo Stelvio, Jaguar F-Pace, Lexus NX, Volvo XC60, BMW X3, Cadillac XT5 and Acura MDX. The truth is, anyone looking for this type of vehicle has plenty of options – what makes someone want to choose a Lincoln Corsair?

If you find that having three-rows is a non-negotiable, you might be more interested in the new Lincoln Aviator instead. Sure, it is more expensive, but it’s also more luxurious, powerful and bigger.

We don’t know when this Lincoln SUV will hit the dealerships, but we plan to keep you posted.