If you’re looking for an American luxury vehicle, then you’ve probably at least considered a model from Lincoln, which is Ford’s luxury division. While this brand might evoke memories of the legendary Lincoln Continental or images of sophisticated and prestigious sedans, the modern Lincoln lineup is much more streamlined. Whether this is a good thing or bad really depends on what you’re looking for, particularly since what you’re going to find is a selection that only consists of crossovers and SUVs.
Personally, I don’t love that companies like Ford–and by extension Lincoln–have essentially left the sedan market to wither and die (at least domestically; they still offer some great sedans overseas). Unfortunately, it looks like the folks at Ford don’t particularly agree with me as the upcoming Lincoln Mark E is another crossover option, albeit an electric vehicle (EV). Maybe things will change at some point in the future, and the legacy of Lincoln sedan and coupe design will make a comeback, but it won’t be any time soon. For now, let’s take a look at these crossover and SUV models to see which one might be best for you.
The Lincoln Corsair
We’re going to look at these different Lincoln models in ascending order by size, so the Corsair starts us off with the smallest crossover option available. First introduced in 2020, the Corsair took over from its predecessor in Lincoln’s lineup: the MKC. This crossover shares a platform with the Ford Escape but builds upon it with a wide range of luxury features and added sophistication beyond the Ford model. As you’d expect for its size, this is a two-row vehicle with seating for up to five people, about 28 cu ft of rear cargo volume, and more than 57 cu.ft. of total cargo space available.
There are a few different engines available here, depending on the kind of driving experience you want, including a 250hp 2.0L standard and an available 280hp 2.3L option. There’s also a 2.5L engine available as a plug-in hybrid, but you can only pick this one with the Grand Touring trim, so keep that in mind when considering your options. Inside the Corsair, you’ll find a number of stunning features, including 24-way power-adjustable seats and customizable ambient lighting. An available 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and 8-inch infotainment display both look fantastic, while an available 14-speaker Revel sound system ensures you have an enjoyable drive.
The Lincoln Nautilus
Next up, we have the Nautilus, which is one of two midsize crossover SUV options available from Lincoln. First introduced for the 2019 model year, the Nautilus built upon its precursor, the MKX, with innovative styling and a bold design that features sleek curves to make an immediate impression. Although this is a midsize model, it offers two rows of seating for up to five passengers–look to the Aviator if you want something similar with more seats. Its larger size gives you more functional space than the five-passenger Corsair, however, with 37 cu.ft. of rear cargo volume and more than 68 cu.ft. of total cargo space to use.
Much like with the Corsair, you have two conventional engine options here: a standard turbocharged four-cylinder that delivers 250 hp and an available V6 that offers a more potent 335 hp for an exhilarating driving experience. While both engines are good, the V6 is definitely the way to go if you prefer a responsive vehicle that has a good amount of oomph to it. Inside the Nautilus, you’ll find a host of fantastic features, including available Ultra Comfort power-adjustable seats with massage functionality and a wireless charging pad. A 12.3-inch digital gauge display is standard, along with a 13.2-inch infotainment screen for easy use of Ford’s SYNC 4 system.
The Lincoln Aviator
If you like the overall design and styling of the Nautilus, but you need something with more seating, then check out the Lincoln Aviator. Introduced in 2020, alongside the Corsair, the Aviator essentially replaced the MKT and offers you a midsize crossover SUV with three rows of seating. This gives you seats for up to seven passengers: two up front, two or three in the middle (depending on if you choose a bench seat or captain’s chairs), and two at the rear. You get just over 18 cu.ft. of rear cargo space in the Aviator, with more than 77 cu.ft. of total cargo volume behind the front seats.
The standard engine in the Aviator is a beastly 400 hp twin-turbo V6 that makes it a lot of fun to drive. The available plug-in hybrid for the Grand Touring trim features the same engine with a Nano electric motor for a total of 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. Although this is a three-row model, the third-row seating isn’t exactly spacious; it’s great for kids, but anyone of adult-size is going to have a bad time if they’re crammed into the back for more than a few minutes. Meanwhile, up front, you can enjoy available Perfect Position 30-way power-adjustable seats with massaging functionality, which can make it pretty easy to forget about what’s happening to the poor folks in the back. A 12.3-inch digital gauge display is standard, along with a 10.1-inch infotainment screen, plus an available 28-speaker Revel Ultima sound system that takes audio performance inside the Lincoln Aviator to another level.
The Lincoln Navigator
For three rows of seating that even adults can enjoy, there’s the full-size Navigator, which is a large SUV built on the same platform as the Ford Expedition. This is a gorgeous piece of machinery, and the Navigator has been Lincoln’s flagship SUV since it was first introduced 25 years ago. This is a proper three-row SUV with seating for either seven or eight people, depending on how you configure everything, plus plenty of third-row legroom for adults. You get nearly 21 cu.ft. of rear cargo volume, with more than 103 cu.ft. of total interior cargo space.
Its large size means the Navigator needs a powerful engine, and Lincoln comes through with a 440 hp twin-turbocharged V6 that is incredibly fun to drive, offering a surprisingly speedy and powerful experience at the wheel. Inside the Navigator, you’ll find one of the most lavish and luxurious SUVs on the road, with available features that include open-pore wood, gorgeous and comfortable seating, and available 30-way adjustable front seats with massage functionality. A 13.2-inch infotainment display is standard on every model, along with a 12-inch instrument cluster display, while an available 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D stereo system provides absolutely stunning sound quality.
The Lincoln Mark E
Looking ahead, another model is set to join the Lincoln lineup soon, though details on it are a bit scarce at the moment. The Mark E is an all-electric crossover SUV that’s set to help Lincoln take its first steps into the increasingly competitive EV market. Originally planned to be built on a platform provided by EV startup Rivian, that deal fell apart, and the Mark E will instead be built on a platform from Ford–nothing’s official, but many people speculate it will be based on the Mustang Mach-E. Since we have very little to go on at this point, there’s nothing much to say about its range or performance just yet, but Lincoln will no doubt want it to be competitive. Expect to see features from other Lincoln models carryover, like exquisite seating, large displays, and much more.
Choosing the Right Lincoln
As you can see, aside from the upcoming Mark E, your decision on the right Lincoln model can largely be guided by size and seating. If you want something with two rows of seats, then the Corsair and Nautilus are both great options. For three rows of seats, the Aviator works if you only need to have kids in the very back, while the Navigator is a better option for loading seven or eight adults into your ride. Beyond that, it all comes down to details, like choosing the right engine, interior options, and technology to ensure you’re excited every time you get behind the wheel and go for a drive.
