Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring test bench | The good moment

At a time when plug-in hybrid vehicles are regaining color and favor in the automotive industry, the august Lincoln brand is in a good position. In fact, more than a third of the Corsair Grand Touring vehicles circulating in Canada have a La Belle Province license plate stuck to their buttocks. A performance that delights the management of this century-old brand, but still recovering.

You can easily achieve the status of best seller among your siblings and cultivate a certain discretion. The Corsair has established itself as one of Lincoln's most popular models without making a fuss. This compact utility vehicle embodies quite well what this brand wants to represent: true American chic. A level of services comparable to that of large European and Asian firms, but a different approach to luxury. This one is less overtly bourgeois, suggesting to its friendly clientele that it belongs to an enlightened minority.

Popular hybrid mechanics

The Grand Touring version attracts the attention of buyers because of its hybrid mechanics which, according to government data, allows CO emissions to be divided by three₂ (74 g/100 km compared to 232 g for 100% gasoline versions). And reduce average fuel consumption by almost 3 L per 100 km. However, these feats can only be achieved if the Corsair is recharged daily at a level 2 terminal (its electric range is limited to 45 km), which takes up to four hours to refuel it. Before going any further, let's point out that the plug-in hybrid Escape does better (60 km of electric range and 49 g/100 km of CO emissions₂), but only drives its front wheels. The Corsair Grand Touring, for its part, adopts exclusively four-wheel drive.

The 266 hp of this two-headed engine are not too much to move this very well-designed Lincoln which, in its plug-in hybrid version, weighs close to two tonnes. The laws of gravity are quite clearly felt when starting off and on small winding roads, but are attenuated when traveling on expressways. On the other hand, the heaviness of the management remains. That said, we spontaneously adapt our driving to the placid and somewhat sluggish temperament of the Corsair Grand Touring. The lively versions of the 2.0L engine supercharged by turbocharger – less heavy, less expensive and less ecological too – demonstrate more temperament and agility.

Lincoln didn't skimp on electronic assistance. He also equipped the Corsair with a semi-autonomous driving system which seemed to us to be quite perfectible. Properly soundproofed, its hybrid mechanism is nevertheless clearly audible when you stand on the accelerator pedal.

At cruising speed, this very considerate Lincoln floats on very flexible suspensions, adapted to the three main markets for which it is intended, namely China, Canada and the United States.

Even in the “exhilarating” position (read Sport), the shock absorbers protect the lower back, already preserved by the quality of the seats. A very “comfort” typing which also encourages smooth driving.

Dressed to the nines

There remains the piece of bravery that constitutes the interior presentation of a Lincoln. The interior is dressed to the nines and is warmer than that of an Infiniti, an Alfa Romeo or a Ford Escape from which the Corsair derives. The furniture uses quality materials. It's neat, refined and relaxing.

Qualifiers that do not apply to the controls, especially those found taped to the steering wheel. These, poorly identified and sometimes poorly matched, require a certain period of adaptation. Just like the gearbox's push-button selector.

The front seats offer several adjustments, but motorists of large size might criticize them for their narrowness. In the back, two people will appreciate the comfort of the bench seat which also benefits from adjustments to make journeys pleasant. As for the capacity of the trunk, it is within the good average for the segment and has a wide indentation and a loading threshold that is not too high.

Finally, we will observe that, as is now the norm with Lincoln, the prices reflect a total absence of complexes. The American brand prices the Corsair starting at $59,990 and offers a very expensive options package that isn't worth the cost.

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