2020 Lincoln Corsair Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

The Corsair is a new offering from Lincoln, and it replaces the MKC as the compact crossover in the company's lineup. It strikes a nice balance between offering ample cargo room and still feeling light and quick on its feet. Its overall shape is elegant, with curves that make it look muscular. There are also handsome edges that look as if they've been delicately carved, giving the car a unique appearance.

Two rows of seating are included on the Corsair. Behind the second row is 27.6 cubic feet of dedicated storage space. If more room is needed, the back seats can be lowered, increasing the cargo capacity to 57.6 cubic feet. This is a pretty generous size that can accommodate a wide variety of items.

Under the hood of the Corsair, there could either be a 2.0L or 2.3L engine, both of which are turbocharged models. The smaller engine comes with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, giving drivers the ability to quickly accelerate when needed. The larger engine offers even more kick, with 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque.

Both are used in conjunction with an eight-speed transmission that does a great job of delivering the right amount of power at the right time. Since the car has auto start-stop technology, the engine will turn off when the car is stopped to save gas, and it will start on its own when pressure is applied to the gas pedal.

Adding to the smooth ride in the Corsair is a new rear suspension. This peacefulness is enhanced by a laminated windshield and glass in the side doors.

The experience of shifting gears in the Corsair might not be what one would expect. Rather than having a traditional gear shifter, the Lincoln has a piano key shifter. With this type of shifter, a button on the center console simply has to be pressed to switch gears.

Intelligent all-wheel drive is an option on the Corsair, and it would be wise to select it if front-wheel drive wouldn't do well enough in predicted conditions. Further, there are five Lincoln Drive Modes to choose from. The Normal mode would be most commonly used, with the Slippery and Deep Conditions modes being saved for when they're needed in unique conditions. The other two modes - Excite and Conserve - provide the driver with some more control for when he or she wants to rev things up or maximize efficiency.

The company has built all the Corsairs with safety in mind. The Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features includes five useful programs. The first is the often-used blind spot monitoring system. It uses sensors that can detect whether cars are in a blind spot, and it can also alert drivers if traffic is crossing while they're trying to back up.

Pre-collision assist comes with an automatic emergency braking function. If the Corsair senses that a front collision is about to occur, it warns the driver, and it can automatically slow itself down if necessary. Helping people stay on course is the Lane Keeping System. A camera continuously monitors the markings on a road to determine whether the Corsair is drifting to the side. If necessary, the car can correct its own steering.

Two other standard features with this suite are the rear view camera and automatic high beam headlamps. The camera projects guidelines onto the screen to help with backing up into a tight spot, and audio cues can alert people when they're getting close to objects. What's nice is that the camera can wash itself so it doesn't get obscured by mud or dirt. The automatic high beams will turn on by themselves on dark roads, giving drivers greater opportunities to spot any upcoming obstacles.

It's clear that the Corsair is a high-end car. It's safe, reliable, and powerful, and it has many elegant interior and exterior elements. There are only two trims with the Corsair - the Standard and the Reserve. This guide will go over the advantages of each type of Corsair so consumers will be able to make more informed decisions regarding their next vehicle purchases.

Compare the 2020 Lincoln Corsair Standard vs Reserve Trims. What is the difference?

Anyone who values performance will want to note that the Standard is exclusively powered by the 2.0-liter engine. The Reserve, in contrast, can run on either the 2.0-liter or 2.3-liter engine. Both trims have active grille shutters, and their eight-speed transmissions have paddle shifters to give people more control over when the gears are switched.

Handling is excellent on the Corsair, whether one choose to get the front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The electric power-assisted steering is quite responsive and reduces the effort required to turn the wheel in certain situations, and Traction Control continually works to improve each tire's grip with the road. The Corsair Reserve comes with the option to include adaptive suspension, which is a system that makes small adjustments depending on what's going with the road to further dampen any impact.

The Standard rides on 18-inch warm painted alloy wheels. Available are 18-inch ultra-bright machined aluminum wheels or premium painted aluminum wheels that are one inch larger. On the Reserve, there are 19-inch ultra-bright machined aluminum wheels, which have a magnetic paint. There's the opportunity to upgrade to either a 20-inch ultra-bright wheel with a dark tarnish finish or one with magnetic painted pockets.

There are several other exterior differences between the two trims. LED fog lamps are only found on the Reserve, just like LED turn signal indicators that are integrated into the side mirrors. The side mirror on the Reserve's driver's side is auto-dimming, which can save the driver from having to deal with bright headlamps coming from behind.

Because the Reserve has a hands-free liftgate instead of the Standard's power liftgate, it can be much easier to open when someone's hands are full. The sensor is receptive and conveniently located under the bumper.

What's immediately striking is that the Reserve comes with a Panoramic Vista Roof, while this is only an option on the Standard. This vista roof lets in a lot of natural light, and it has a power sunshade that can be closed to prevent the heat from building up in the warmer months. Opening the roof, either by sliding it or tilting it up, can be done with the push of a button.

This is where the differences end and the similarities begin, at least on the outside of the car. Both trims have a bright belt line molding and exhaust tips that are finished in chrome. Roof rack side rails are included if anyone has more cargo to carry, and a de-icer built into the windshield wiper is available.

Moving on to the inside of the Corsair, there are some interesting differences. While the Standard feels like a luxury vehicle in many ways, it doesn't have all the upgrades. For example, its seats are made with a Lincoln Soft Touch material, and Bridge of Weir Deepsoft leather-trimmed seats are an option.

In comparison, the Corsair Reserve has heated front seats and leather-trimmed seats as standard features. Even the steering wheel can be power operated and has memory. Plus, it comes with the option to have Perfect Position 24-way power front seats. Their major perk is that they can massage people while on the road, going a long way in improving comfort. This contrasts with the 10-way power front seats that the Corsair would otherwise come with.

Both trims come with the option to include heated and ventilated seats in the front and heated seats in the back, providing some extra relief from the extreme temperatures. A steering wheel wrapped in Wollsdorf leather is a standard feature as well, as are push-button start and Intelligent Access. With Intelligent Access, someone can simply unlock the car by touching the door handle, as long as the key fob is in a three-foot range. The same idea applies for locking the car.

Technology is a strong point in the Lincoln. Its SYNC 3 system comes with a eight-inch LCD touchscreen that can recognize swipe controls, and it can accept certain voice commands. Two Smart Charging USB ports are included for convenience, and two other USB ports are there if anyone wants to hook up a device.

While both models come with SiriusXM Radio capability, the sound is played differently. The Standard uses the ten-speaker Lincoln Premium Audio System, which comes with a subwoofer. This system can be upgraded to a Revel 14-speaker configuration on the Reserve, complete with HD Radio. Another difference is that the Reserve comes with navigation, making it easy to deal with traffic and take detours off the main road. Navigation isn't automatically included on the Standard, but it is an option.

Additionally, the Reserve is the only trim to come with a universal garage door opener. This eliminates the need for a secondary device, and the opener can be programmed fairly quickly to work with a specific garage. Optional on the Reserve is wireless charging and the Phone as a Key system, which allows a smartphone to unlock and lock the car and even start its engine.

If anyone likes the idea of staying informed, there is the optional head-up display that the Reserve offers. With this technology, key information can be projected onto he windshield to let people know about their speed, time and temperature, or safety alerts. This is situated in a location, just beyond the steering wheel, that encourages drivers to keep their attention on the road.

Some other upgrades in the Reserve are there to enhance the luxury of the car. Ambient lighting, which is standard on the Reserve but available on the Standard, makes the cabin feel elegant. Likewise, the genuine wood trim and frameless rearview mirror are premium touches. The Reserve comes with illuminated scuff plates in the front and a Lincoln Star that lights up in the center console.

In addition to the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 package, there are some other mechanisms that can improve safety. Optional on the Standard and Reserve are three driver-assist features. Evasive Steering Assist helps people avoid obstacles in their way, Forward Sensing can be useful when navigating narrow parking spots and tight turns, and Reverse Braking Assist can play a role in safely stopping before hitting objects while backing up.

Which Trim to Choose?

The Lincoln Corsair feels elegant and has solid performance capabilities. The Reserve has many more features, but it also comes with a premium price. After looking at all the factors, it would make sense for most consumers to stick with the Standard.

The Standard has a great suite of safety features, a capable engine, and nice interior details like power-adjustable seats and an eight-inch touchscreen. With its more affordable price, it has good value, and it would give the average driver the feeling that he or she is riding in something quite elegant.