That sound you just heard was Lincoln dealers breathing a sigh of relief as the automaker commits to bringing its smallest and least expensive model back from the dead in 2027.
On Tuesday, Lincoln announced the 2027 Corsair, which will be imported from China as a refreshed hybrid-only model bookending the automaker’s lineup as the entry point. Lincoln dealers will start taking orders today, with the Corsair now costing $48,790 including a hefty $2,295 destination charge. At the opposite end of the pricing spectrum sits the flagship Navigator full-size SUV.
The Corsair was last updated for 2025 and then killed alongside its platform mate, the Ford Escape, with production ending at the end of 2025. The automaker retooled the Louisville Assembly plant where the compact crossovers were built for the upcoming $30,000 Fathom electric truck. Dealers were terrified about Ford’s decision, knowing it could cost sales. The returning Corsair costs $7,310 more than the outgoing 2026 model, but the previous base model lacked a hybrid powertrain and standard all-wheel drive.
To bring the Corsair back from the dead, Lincoln is tapping its Chongqing Plant in Chongqing, China, and will import the small crossover starting next year. The larger midsize Nautilus is currently built in China and imported to America. A Lincoln spokesperson told The Drive, “The 2027 model Corsair has been part of our cycle plan, so it’s not something that is a new decision. When we stopped production of Corsair in LAP [Louisville Assembly Plant] late last year, we always said that the segment is important to Lincoln and that we would have more to share on Corsair in the future. So we never closed the door.”
Earlier in August, Ford announced it would be moving Chinese-based Lincoln production to the U.S. by 2030, but has not elaborated where specifically the Nautilus, and now Corsair, will be made once production shifts to America in the coming years.
The reborn Corsair will come standard with a hybrid powertrain. A 2.0-liter turbo-four paired with two motor generators will be rated at 305 horsepower combined, and all-wheel drive will be standard. If that sounds vaguely familiar, it’s because Lincoln’s cribbing the powertrain from the Nautilus, though it’s been retuned for the Corsair and is down five hp compared to its larger sibling.
Lincoln noted the returning Corsair has been refreshed, but it will take a keen eye and maybe even a Lincoln enthusiast to spot the updates. The exterior’s been smoothed over with a focus on the details. The grille is a little larger and blends more seamlessly into the front bumper without a dedicated frame. The full-width LED taillight features a sharper edge and is harmonized with the larger Nautilus design. New five-spoke turned alloy wheels arrive, and buyers will find 18s, 19s, and 20s on the order sheet. A Jet Appearance Package will serve as a blackout option, eliminating any shiny bits. Earlier in August, Lincoln revealed the updated Nautilus with similar design tweaks.
Inside the Corsair, Lincoln said a new “softer one-piece seat design that further enhances cabin comfort and support, focused on real comfort,” but we’ll have to reserve judgment until we see, touch, and ride in the updated Corsair. Upgraded 24-way power seats, which Lincoln dubs “Perfect Position” seats, will be available on the Reserve trim featuring heating, ventilation, and massage functions.
A large touchscreen still looks like a table mounted on the dashboard, featuring split-screen functionality with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. The automaker’s Level 2 hands-free driver-assist system called Blue Cruise will be standard, along with four years of service.
Got a tip about future product? Drop us a line at tips@thedrive.com
Loading comments…
Comments couldn’t be loaded. Please refresh the page.