2023 Lincoln Corsair Review: First Drive

Lincoln’s bestselling Corsair SUV has been refreshed for 2023, and there’s a lot going on here beyond the somewhat modest exterior styling changes that meet the eye.

In addition to exterior design freshening, the Corsair also receives an interior update, an enhanced BlueCruise driver assist suite, a larger multimedia display, more connected tech and a revised powertrain lineup.

On the outside, the Corsair receives a larger grille, wing-shaped daytime running lights and new wheel designs. For the plug-in hybrid Grand Touring model, its grille features a sundown satin metallic foil with blue accents to separate it from gas-powered models.

Two new exterior finishes have been added to the color palette, Crystal Red and Whisper Blue (shown), with the latter being new to Lincoln. The Jet Appearance Package, which includes a black roof and other black trim accents, is available as an option.

The center stack layout also receives a refresh. It offers more space below the transmission control tabs and other buttons housed in a panel below it. A wireless smartphone charge pad is available with a cover that has an applique with a backlit Lincoln star.

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As for interior color schemes, there are two new options: Smoked Truffle (shown), a lighter neutral beige tone with darker trim accents, and Eternal Red, with Pista aluminum accents.

Lincoln continues to offer the Corsair with two powertrains, gas and plug-in hybrid, but with just one engine for the former. The 2.3-liter turbo four-cylinder has been dropped in favor of a 2.0-liter turbo four for all gas-only models. This powerplant produces 250 horsepower and 275 lb-ft. of torque and is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission with either front or all-wheel drive configurations.

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The Grand Touring plug-in hybrid uses a 2.5-liter Atkinson four-cylinder paired with a CVT that works in conjunction with an electric motor and battery pack. Total system output lists at 266 horsepower.

The 2023 Corsair comes standard with BlueCruise 1.2 (also known as Lincoln ActiveGlide 1.2). It’s a hands-free driver aid that is now available on highways in North America and works at speeds of up to 80 mph (129 km/h). Version 1.2, which is available on roughly 130,000 miles (209,215 km) of divided highways across North America, arrives with new features, including Lane Change Assist, where the car can change lanes hands-free when the driver taps the turn signal. It can also recommend lane changes in slow moving traffic.

Predictive Speed Assist adjusts vehicle speed when the car encounters a sharp curve and will also signal when a speed limit change is about to occur, while In-Lane Repositioning helps to keep hands-free driving feel more natural by subtly moving the car away from vehicles in neighboring lanes.

The 2023 Corsair comes with a broad array of standard advanced safety tech including two new features. First, there’s Intersection Assist 2.0 to help drivers avoid pedestrians and prevent collisions while turning. The other new feature is Blind Spot Assist that alerts the driver with a light on the side mirror. It will apply a ‘nudge’ on the steering wheel to caution against an unsafe maneuver where the driver may have missed warnings from the car’s Blind Spot Information System. This feature will also detect vehicles, including motorcycles traveling in the car’s blind spots.

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We spent about two hours driving a Grand Touring tester finished in Whisper Blue on the streets of Manhattan. We took it up to a lunch spot in Westchester County located north of the city and back and come away impressed with 2023 Corsair’s enhancements. Later, we got a chance to drive a black Reserve gas model for about an hour to test the BlueCruise 1.2.

The styling enhancements are subtle but make an already handsome car even more attractive. The new paint finishes, wheel designs and redesigned grilles, with the latter differing between electrified models and gas give the Corsair a more refined and polished appearance.

Inside, the bigger screens are simply gorgeous and very easy to use. Lincoln has created more space in the front row area with changes that are both straightforward and aesthetically pleasing. The center stack is uncluttered, with a minimal number of buttons and knobs and we like that. It would be nice if more climate controls were on hard keys and not in a touchscreen, but at least commonly used climate functions are fixed to the bottom of the panel and don’t require extra searching.

Both GT and Reserve testers we drove offered decent acceleration, with excellent braking and good overall handing. Traffic in the New York City area involved a lot of bumper-to-bumper traffic, but once out of the city, power delivery from both cars felt responsive. The electric motor in the GT produces more cabin noise than we were expecting, but it wasn’t too disruptive.

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We come away quite impressed with BlueCruise 1.2, which did a fine job of keeping our Reserve tester centered in its lane, while providing flawless hands-free lane changes and easily modulated traveling during our tests on the West Side Highway in Manhattan.

FAQs

Does Lincoln Corsair come in a plug-in hybrid?

Yes. The Grand Touring trim includes a 2.5-liter engine paired up to a plug-in hybrid drivetrain.

What is the mpg on a 2023 Lincoln Corsair PHEV?

Officially, the Corsair PHEV has a rating of 34 mpg (6.9 L/100 km) city and 32 mpg (7.4 L/100 km) on the highway.

What is the range of the 2023 Lincoln Corsair plug-in hybrid?

On all electric power, a full charge should delivery up to 28 miles (45 km) of range.

Where is the Lincoln Corsair built?

The Lincoln Corsair is manufactured by Ford at the automakers Louisville Assembly Plant in Louisville, Kentucky.

What colors does the 2023 Lincoln Corsair come in?

For 2023 the Corsair is available in eight different colors including: Infinite Black Metallic Clearcoat, Whisper Blue Metallic Clearcoat, Asher Gray Metallic Clearcoat, Crystal Red Metallic Premium Clearcoat, Red Carpet Metallic Tinted Clearcoat, Silver Radiance Metallic Clearcoat, Ceramic Pearl Metallic Tinted Clearcoat and Pristine White Metallic Tri-Coat.

What are the Lincoln Corsair's competitors?

The most direct rival to the Corsair is the Cadillac XT4. Other top models to compare include the Acura RDX, BMW X3, Audi Q3, Lexus NX and Mercedes GLC.