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Anchors away for 2020 Lincoln Corsair


Published : 05 May 2019 06:04 PM | Updated : 05 Sep 2020 12:33 PM

Lincoln spent lavishly to make its new 2020 Corsair compact SUV a legitimate luxury vehicle, not a thinly disguised version of a mass-market vehicle.

Debuting at the New York Auto Show on Wednesday, the Corsair has a luxurious interior with features like 24-way adjustable massaging seats. The Corsair will come with a long list of safety and driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian assist, blind spot alert, lane keeping assist and automatic high beams.

The Corsair arrives at a vital time for Lincoln. The Navigator large SUV Lincoln introduced 18 months ago is a hit and expectations are high for the midsize Aviator that goes on sale shortly. A strong showing by the Corsair would give Ford’s luxury brand its best lineup it is 102-year history.

The Corsair uses the same basic structure as the new 2020 Ford Escape, but doesn’t share a single piece of sheet metal or interior trim for a unique appearance inside and out.

The design features a long roof that falls from front to rear, and a sharply angled tailgate and rear window. The metal on the lower part of the doors is deeply scooped to create a sculpted shape.

The Corsair’s roof is a full 2 inches lower than the new 2020 Ford Escape. The body is also 2.1 inches wider, and the rear track – the distance between the center of the rear wheels – is 1.6 inches wider.

Lincoln went to unusual lengths to ensure the Corsair drives and sounds unique. The rear suspension is completely different from the Escape for a smoother and quieter ride. The wall between the passenger compartment and engine is also unique, consisting of two separate metal panels with an air gap in between to insulate against engine and road noise.

Automakers often share parts like those when they build multiple vehicles on an architecture. Lincoln spent extra time and money to make its new SUV more than a dressed-up Ford.


Evan is a journalist and 

technologist