Lincoln Corsair or Lincoln Nautilus: Which model and trim should you buy?

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Wait! Before dumping this story because it’s about Lincolns and not something German, understand that Ford’s luxury division really does have something to add to the conversation. Yes, even if you don’t yet have silver hair, the latest luxury SUVs from Lincoln are more than competitive with rivals from BMW, Audi, and Mercerdes-Benz than you might expect.

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Overview

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Officially, the Lincoln Corsair has been with us for less than two years, but before Lincoln switched over to its nautical naming, it was known as the Lincoln MKC (from 2015 to 2019). Today, Lincoln’s smallest SUV is still built in Louisville, Kentucky, on the Ford Escape platform, and features the same two turbocharged engines as MKC, although the automatic transmission now has eight gears, up from six.

Both trims boast four-cylinder engines: a 2.0L turbo good for 250 horsepower; and a 2.3L turbo boasting 295 hp. They are pretty close in terms of refinement, fuel economy, and even in their quiet but solid performance. And, this side of the 49 ^th parallel, all Corsairs come with all-wheel-drive as standard equipment, with a price tag starting at $45,200 (plus $2,150 in destination and delivery fees).

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So, you ask, what changed besides the “MKC” name? The main changes are within the interior, or “The Sanctuary” as Lincoln calls it. Said sanctuary is not only one of the most comfortable, ergonomic, sound-proof, and well-built interiors on the market, it is also one of the most Zen. Serene, peaceful, and oh-so-soothing; choose your preferred synonym.

But, then again, the same applies to the cabin of the Lincoln Nautilus, the next step up in the now-exclusively-SUVs Lincoln lineup. Again, for the sake of history, let’s remember the luxury clone of the mid-size Ford Edge also had to live with a “letter designation” — MKX — when it became the Lincoln’s first sport-ute back in 2007.

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The Nautilus, currently built in Oakville, Ontario, is enjoying a second “mid-cycle” refresh. It first saw updates in 2019 when it switched to its new name, and then again for the 2021 model year that just landed in dealerships at the beginning of spring.

In Canada, the Nautilus is available in only one configuration — the Reserve AWD — which starts at $56,000 (plus $2,150 in destination and delivery fees). Its base engine is the same 2.0L four-cylinder turbo as found in the Lincoln Corsair, but the optional powertrain is a 2.7L twin-turbo V6, pushing 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, which, by the way allows it to tow an extra 17 per cent — up to 1,588 kg — compared to the Corsair.

So, if you’re shopping for a small or intermediate luxury SUV, and we’ve convinced you to visit a Lincoln showroom, which trim and model should you choose? Our answer may help you save a lot of dough.

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Three reasons to choose the Lincoln Corsair

The good news for the Lincoln Corsair? It doesn’t suffer whatsoever when compared with bigger SUVs, even its own siblings. Name the equipment and the Corsair has it, standard or optional. Even the latest in advanced driver’s aids — including Ford’s new Co-Pilot 360 — is available on the compact SUV.

The small crossover even has its plug-in version, the Corsair Grand Touring. Good, says Lincoln, for 45 kilometres of electricity autonomy. But more than anything else, the Lincoln Corsair had some features that really made us fall in loooove with it.

The massage seats . Those “Perfect Position” 24-way front seats are — of course — not offered on the base version. In fact, they are not even standard on the high-end Reserve — there, they command an extra $1,500. But a) try to shop for vehicles offering similar indulgences and you’ll find yourself swimming in a pool with $100,000 competitors; and b) these Lincoln seats are really thorough in their massaging.

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From your back to your thighs, up or down, circulating or rolling, paired with the heating element, they offer a magic touch not only for the driver, but also for the front passenger. Park a Lincoln — with these seats — in your driveway and you’ll never have to visit your chiro again. (Sorry, Dr. K!)

The sounds you hear— It may be old news for you, since it’s been the case for a couple of years, but Lincoln uses chimes recorded by Detroit Symphony Orchestra to talk to you. Why the fuss? Because in this modern era where our cars noisily alert us of a danger in the blind spot, or because we didn’t buckle up, Lincoln trades those stressful alarms for a violin and xylophone “crystalline” melody . It is such a lovely part of the hushed interior experience.

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— and the sounds you don’t . If there’s a car company that has discovered how to make your automotive cabin as silent and relaxing as the legendary library, it’s Lincoln. For this, we have to thank the joint efforts of Active Noise Control, added sound dampening, and soft-touch materials.

You want to hear an engine grunt through its acceleration? You’ll have to look elsewhere; you won’t hear any such noises with this Lincoln. But you will spend one of the most quiet and peaceful drives you can find for that amount of money.

Which Lincoln Corsair trim should you choose?

You probably think we’re going to recommend the Lincoln Corsair Reserve because of the massage seats. Surprise: since this top-of-the line version starts at $50,500, we’d rather recommend the Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring plug-in hybrid version.

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Starting at $58,000, this electrified small luxury SUV, equipped with a 266-hp four-cylinder 2.5L engine paired with a CVT, will reduce your gas bill at least by one-third. And if you’re living in Quebec, the savings will be even greater with a provincial “green” $4,000 rebate.

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Three reasons to buy the Lincoln Nautilus instead

The most recent refresh in the Lincoln family includes the Sync4 infotainment system. Again, wait before shrugging your shoulders. Because this last generation of the software really is simpler to use, especially with its new 13.2-inch screen — the biggest you’ll find in a Lincoln — now positioned above the dashboard, within easier reach of eyes and fingers.

Also even more heightened: That “sanctuary” feeling that Lincoln brags about. In other words, everything we wrote above about the Corsair’s cabin applies to the Nautilus, plus a certain twin-turbo V6, which brings us to the predominant reason why you might choose the Nautilus over the Corsair.

The creamiest V6 you’ll find on the market. Let’s be honest: This 335-hp V6 twin-turbo engine is not as involving as the turbocharged engines found in German competitors, but it does shine like a hard iron fist in an exceptionally velvety glove.

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Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the sport mode selected via the substantial (yes!) well connected (yes-yes!) steering wheel, the mid-size SUV will skip from zero to 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds. Fuel consumption over the standard 2.0L four-cylinder turbo? A subprime of 5 per cent in city driving, but 3 per cent advantage on the highway, says Natural Resources Canada (our mixed/combined driving brought us an average of 13.6 L/100 km).

The smoothest ride in town. Although Lincoln boasts about the Corsair’s ride, it’s onboard the Nautilus this author found one of the most comfortable suspensions tested lately (that’s including the phenomenal Mercedes GLS Maybach). I’m not kidding; you know those tricky bridge gaps that usually shake your vehicle’s chassis, not to mention your personal frame? You’ll feel none of it — nothing, nada, ziet — in the Nautilus, which comes standard with the Active Suspension.

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The longer doors. The Nautilus’ cargo is one-third more generous than the Corsair’s, but surprisingly it doesn’t otherwise offer that much more in the headroom and legroom department. Yes, it has a 25-mm advantage for the knees in the rear seats. And yes, it welcomes the centre passenger more comfortably, thanks to its 63mm wider chassis. But the Nautilus’ biggest advantage resides in its looong rear doors and the fact they open at 90 degrees. They truly make a difference in the access to the rear seats.

Which Lincoln Nautilus trim should you choose?

No alternative here: There’s only the $56,000 Nautilus Reserve AWD version. And you probably won’t be surprised that we recommend the optional V6, for an extra $4,000. But it’s only available if you also select the driving-aid Co-Pilot360 Plus suite — another $4,000. Obviously, you want the Active Motion massage seats — here, the option is $1,900. Add the $2,150 in destination and delivery fees and you’re almost at $70,000, before sales taxes.

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Conclusion

Yes, we did love the Lincoln Nautilus for all the reasons enumerated above, not to mention its exterior design that’s massive and elegant, and its sanctuary —  pardon , its cabin. But the Lincoln Corsair has the same classy silhouette, in a 254-mm shorter package that you’ll definitively appreciate for its more agile turning circle. It has the same refined, soundproof and calming interior, and since the Corsair can also be delivered with the fantastic massage front seats (did we already mention how wonderful these fauteuils are?) why would you pay more for the Nautilus, which doesn’t (yet) offer a plug-in version?

Besides, in the Corsair, your rear passengers’ knees won’t be ill-treated, since the rear bench can slide backwards up to six inches. Then, as Lincoln pretends, four adults and their four golf bags can be “embraced.”

We didn’t test that part. We don’t play golf.