By: Joshua Lee
April 24, 2024
Riding on the same platform as the Ford Escape, it’s a fair assumption that the Lincoln Corsair is the Escape’s luxury offering. Much like the Ford Escape PHEV, the Corsair also features its own plug-in variant under the Grand Touring model line. Will a premium alternative provide anything better than the Escape PHEV?
For the week, Ford Canada provided us with a 2024 Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring. Lincoln’s smallest crossover, the 2024 Corsair Grand Touring, was known as the MKC until 2019. The departure from the MK_ designation allows Lincoln to appeal to customers who want that feeling of adventure and luxury. A 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and electric motor from the Ford Escape PHEV power the Corsair Grand Touring. However, Lincoln gives the engine a nice tune-up with a combined output of 266 horsepower. While it is certainly quicker than the Escape, the Lincoln proves that it’s more of a luxury cruiser than a sporty SUV. The engine is quiet most of the time, and the CVT provides no problem. With adaptive suspension and all-wheel drive, the ride is better. There is also the option to save the battery charge for later use or to charge the engine while driving.
In 2023, the Corsair gets a facelift with a new, larger grille design and updated headlights. Our tester comes in an optional Ceramic Pearl paint finish and 20-inch bright machined aluminum with black finish wheels. Standard features include a Panoramic Vista Roof, bright beltline moulding, dual exhaust with polished tips, LED tail lights, and Lincoln Embrace welcome lighting. It strays away from the Escape and does a great job accentuating its curvy SUV lines and sporty characteristics with blacked out pillars.
Lincoln will spoil its consumers with a luxurious interior. An Ebony/Eternal Red interior contrasts well with the exterior, and the 24-way Perfect Position front seats are incredible as they offer so many adjustments to suit your needs with heated, ventilated, and massage functions. There is a 12.3-inch driver’s display and a 13.2-inch SYNC4 infotainment system that are both easy to use and display wonderful graphics.
Our tester model is fully loaded with a heads-up display, a 14-speaker Revel audio system, an air purifier, and heated rear seats. The 302A package equips our model with Lincoln BlueCruise 1.2, which allows hands-free highway driving. This new version allows the vehicle to change lanes hands-free as well. We love the uncluttered look of the cabin, which helps with Lincoln’s perspective for a serene environment.
We would love the climate control to be physical buttons, but they are neatly placed at the bottom of the infotainment screen. There are a few things that we weren’t used to; the push button gear selector and the steering wheel buttons took a while to learn how to operate. Cargo capacity behind the rear seats starts at 941L and expands up to 1593L with the split folding 60/40 rear bench down.
The Corsair Grand Touring features Lincoln Co-Pilot 260 2.1, post collision braking, evasive steering assist, active park assist, 360-degree parking camera with parking sensors, and much more.
EnerGuide Canada rates the Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring’s fuel economy as 6.9L/100KM city, 7.1L/100KM highway, for a combined 7.3L/100KM using the gasoline online. A 3.0Le/100KM rating is for battery and gas power combined. Surprisingly, the Corsair Grand Touring’s 14.4kWh battery has around 45KM of EV range which is much less than the Ford Escape PHEV. Charging the battery will take approximately 12 hours with a standard 120-volt outlet and around 4 hours with a level 2 charger. We’ve achieved 5.8L/100KM but only 43% of our week-long test relied on electric power.
The Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring starts at $62,485 including delivery and destination. Luxury comes at a price as our tester model nears $80,000 with all of its optional extras.
When it comes to fuel efficiency and electrified powertrains, consumers want good range when it comes to a plug-in hybrid. The Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring does a lot of things well. It certainly doesn’t disappoint in its luxury accompaniments and its suave styling. The issue that we face is the hefty price tag and minimal EV range when its front wheel drive Escape counterpart provides much more. It’s also alarming that the Lexus NX450h+ which we’ve reviewed earlier is cheaper. Maybe you can compromise with the Corsair Grand Touring with its all wheel drive setup and elevated creature comforts; everyone’s journey is different after all.
