Lincoln, following the lead of its corporate parent, Ford Motor Company, cut cars from its lineup in recent years to focus on building higher-profit crossovers and SUVs. The automaker offers four utility vehicles, including the long-running Navigator. The smallest and least expensive vehicle in the catalog is the Corsair, which is offered with three strong powertrain options and a long list of luxury features.

The Corsair was all-new for the 2020 model year, and changes for 2021 were minor. Lincoln introduced a handful of updates for the 2022 model year that include a new Luxury package, a new Elements Technology Package, and several new color options. Three trims are available: Standard, Reserve, and Grand Touring, which features a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain. The Corsair sees strong competition from rivals both domestic and foreign, including the Porsche Macan, the Genesis GV70, and the BMW X3.

Lincoln offers three powertrain options for the Corsair. The entry-level setup is a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four that produces 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. An upgrade is available for the gas engine that pushes it to 2.3 liters with 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The Corsair is also available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain that includes a 2.5-liter inline-four and an electric motor; they combine for 266 horsepower. The two gas-engined models come standard with front-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available. The PHEV model gets a CVT and standard all-wheel drive.

It might not be the most expensive Lincoln SUV you can buy, but the Corsair still offers a plush, upscale interior with excellent noise cancellation and superb seat comfort: soft touch upholstery, 10-way power seats, heated front seats, and a sliding rear bench with 60/40 split folding. The cabin is beautifully designed and gives passengers good visibility in most directions. Stepping up to the top Grand Touring model brings rich materials such as Bridge of Weir leather upholstery. The front seats can also be upgraded with 24-way power adjustments and Lincoln Active Motion massaging functionality.

An eight-inch LCD touchscreen that runs SYNC 3 infotainment software is standard. The system offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, along with SiriusXM radio, four USB ports, and a Lincoln Premium Audio System with ten speakers and a subwoofer. Navigation is available, and the Corsair Grand Touring can be tricked out with a 14-speaker Revel Audio System and HD radio.

The Corsair’s last crash test score from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) came in 2020. The SUV earned a Top Safety Pick designation and solid marks in most categories with the exception of its headlights, which were rated Acceptable or Poor, depending on the trim. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rated the 2021 Corsair five stars overall, which included five stars for front and side crash tests and a four-star rating for rollover resistance.

The 2022 Lincoln Corsair is on sale now. Pricing starts at $37,200 for the Corsair Standard, $41,920 for the Corsair Reserve, and $51,425 for the Corsair Grand Touring.