When the 2020 Lincoln Corsair Reserve AWD with the Pristine White exterior pulled into my driveway, three words came to mind: elegant, eyecatching, and impressive. At first glance, I was already liking what Lincoln did with their two-row luxury compact SUV, which replaces the MKC. The Corsair is packed with everything moms need for solo trips or family missions. From massaging seats to help mom relax after a hectic day to luxe amenities like Wi-Fi that’s helpful to keep kids busy while on the road. The Lincoln Corsair just may be the best compact SUV for families. Well, small families.
A Compact SUV that Doesn’t Compromise on Space
Having one child makes the decision a lot easier; however, with a baby in the mix, things get a lot more tricky. I need something that can fit a car seat, haul a stroller and groceries, and be comfortable enough for a road trip. The Corsair is the smallest crossover in the Lincoln lineup of SUVs but it isn’t lacking space where it matters. There’s ample legroom making it comfortable enough for adults. The rear seats are on rails which is a huge bonus in my book. The 27.6 cubic feet of cargo space allowed me to fit my daughter’s stroller and some grocery items.
Family Safety Comes Full Circle with Lincoln Co-Pilot360
Safety should be at the top of every parents’ list when looking for the best family SUV. With the Lincoln Co-Pilot360, the Corsair is packed with standard safety features.
Safety features in this package included:
- Blindspot information system
- Pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking
- Lane centering system
- 360 camera
- Automatic high beam headlights
- Adaptive cruise control
In addition to those safety features, the rear seat is equipped with two sets of LATCH anchors. The anchors are exposed and easily accessible. Installing my Britax One4Life was easy. In addition to the LATCH anchors, three top tether anchors sit near the top of the seat back and are also clearly marked and easy to use.
Related: Britax Car Seats Are The Bentley’s of Car Seats: Why I chose the Britax One4Life
The Car You Drive Should Look & Feel As Fabulous As You
White exteriors haven’t ever been my thing but something about the paint on the Corsair did it for me. Maybe it was the contrast of the black trim and 20″ wheels. Or quite possibly, the Beyond Blue premium leather interior. The combination of it all was beautiful. I felt like a celebrity once I got in the driver’s seat, and my 9-year-old felt the same. Reality hit when I looked in the rearview mirror to see the sweet faces of my kids. The feeling was nice while it lasted.
Moms Like Fun Drives Too
Just because you’re a mom doesn’t mean your car shouldn’t be fun to drive. The Lincoln Corsair Reserve AWD with its 2.3L 295 HP motor and four (4) different drive modes – Normal, Conserve, Snow, and Excite – was a fun driving experience. Each drive mode is responsible for the handling of the vehicle. Whether you’re doing day-to-day driving to work or school, driving in a snowstorm, or road tripping on an open road, the Corsair’s drive modes have you covered. Of course, my favorite mode to drive in was Excite. It’s perfect for keeping the crossover nimble and responsive on the highway.
Beautiful Views and Calming Sounds
A panoramic sunroof is a must-have for me. The Corsair Reserve features a beautiful panoramic vista sunroof with a power shade. I can let in as much or as little light in as possible. Stargaze or even chill on a rainy day to relax. The 14-speaker Revel audio system allows me to take that experience to the next level, immersing myself in a sanctuary of sound. The sound system is also great for playing lullabies when I need to calm the baby during long car rides.
Related: Enhance Your in Car Listening Experience with Tips from Revel Speakers
Spending the Day on the Road with Kids Just Got Easier
Having a Roblox-obsessed nine-year-old means that having a vehicle that can charge all our devices while on the road is a must. The Corsair is equipped with two USB ports and a 110-volt outlet in the rear. And for the driver and front passenger, in the floating center console floating there’s a Qi wireless charging spot along with a media bin with two USB outlets and a 12-volt outlet. The best part is the Reserve trim is equipped with a 4G modem with Wi-Fi capability. The nine-year-old loved this. Secretly, I did too. She also loved the ambient lighting, which she said made her feel like she was at a party. Fun tech features as this enhance in-car experiences making car travel less stressful.
Even if you’re not driving the luxurious Corsair, family road trips can still be a breeze. Below are a few tips to help make road trips with your kids easier.
What We Loved About the 2020 Lincoln Corsair Reserve AWD
There was so much to love about the Corsair. I can see why it would be touted as the best compact SUV, especially for a luxury American-made vehicle. Below are just a few of our favorite features about the Corsair.
- Ambient lighting
- Head up display
- Massaging seats
- Heated/ventilated seats
- Heated rear seats
- Beautiful vista panoramic
- Phone as a Key (The Lincoln Way app) can lock, start, unlock, and act as your key fob entirely.
- 24-way power driver and passenger seats
- Wi-fi
- Fuel economy – an impressive 24 mpg
- Seatbelt warning
Things to take into Consideration
- The backseat is tight with an all-in-one rear-facing car seat installed, leaving room for one adult and one small child.
- Power seat adjustment control placement will take getting used to. They’re on the door instead of the sides of the seats.
- Push-button (piano key) gear selector. Like the power seat adjustments, this also takes getting used to.
How Much Does This Luxury Compact SUV Cost?
The Lincoln Corsair has a base price of $35,945, which is lower than other compact luxury SUVs in its class. However, adding options included in the Lincoln Corsair Reserve AWD I test drove increase the price to $60,610. These options include:
- Pristine White exterior
- Beyond Blue interior
- Co-Pilot360 Plus
- 2.3L engine (versus the 2.0L)
The Lincoln Corsair offers a premium experience for both the driver and passengers no matter how big or small. Depending on your needs, the Lincoln Corsair is a small luxury SUV with varying price points suitable for singles or small families. While this crossover may not be the best SUV for families with more than two children or families larger than 4 or 5, it’s a good choice for smaller families like mine.
With the latest technology innovations, stylish exterior and exterior, safety features, and superior comfort, the Corsair is definitely the best compact SUV I’ve driven. Don’t be surprised if you see me driving a Corsair long-term.
Learn more at Lincoln.com
Disclosure: Lincoln Provided the 2020 Corsair Reserve AWD for review purposes only. All opinions are my own.