Lincoln, Ford's luxury line, used to specialize in luxury cars, like just about every other luxury car brand, except those like Land Rover that have always specialized in luxury SUVs.

Lincoln stopped selling the last car it still made — the Continental — three years ago. It currently sells only SUVs and crossovers, which are SUV-looking things but closer (mechanically) to being cars than the trucks most SUVs are closely related to.

The Lincoln Navigator, for instance, is closely related to the Ford Expedition, and both share an underlying structure with the Ford-F-150 pickup.

The Lincoln Corsair looks like a smaller-scale version of the Navigator — and the Nautilus and Aviator, which are in between the two — but it's actually related to the Ford Escape, which is a compact-size crossover that (like most crossovers) is similar to most cars in that it is based on a light-duty, front-wheel-drive layout, with all-wheel drive available.

So, what makes the Corsair different from rival-brand luxury crossovers like the BMW X3 and the Audi Q5?

What It Is

The Corsair is Lincoln's smallest crossover, as distinct from its largest SUV (the Navigator).

It is based on the Escape, which is Ford's smallest crossover, but it does not come standard with the 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine that is standard in the Escape. It comes standard with the 2.0-liter four that's optional in the Escape, as well as luxury features and other equipment that isn't available in the Escape, including Bridge of Weir leather and a Smoked Truffle interior theme.

Prices start at $40,125 for the Premiere trim and top out at $55,320 for the Grand Touring trim, which comes standard with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain that can propel the vehicle for 28 miles on battery power alone, AWD, an adaptive suspension and a panorama sunroof.

What's New for 2024

A partial self-driving system called BlueCruise is available, and all trims get a larger (digital) main instrument cluster and secondary touch screens.

What's Good

Hybrid model's "city" driving range is nearly 400 miles — and you don't have to stop (and wait) for a recharge.

Softer feeling (and riding) than rival crossovers that lean more toward sport rather than luxury.

Standard 10-speaker audio system; a 14-speaker Revel system is available.

What's Not So Good

Hybrid's "highway" mileage is only 355 miles.

Some desirable options such as rain-sensing wipers, the hands-free rear liftgate and heated steering wheel are only available "bundled" with expensive "collections" rather than as individual options.

Under The Hood

All Corsair trims except the Grand Touring come standard with the same 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine that's the Escape's top-of-the-line engine. It is paired with an eight-speed automatic (not a CVT) and makes 250 horsepower.

A stronger and more fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid drivetrain is standard in Grand Touring trims.

This combination makes more horsepower (266) and kicks up the city mileage to 34 mph in city driving — a 12 mpg uptick.

The hybrid version of the Corsair can also be driven on battery power alone for about 28 miles, but when you run out of charge, you don't have to stop because the gas engine comes on to recharge it as you drive. You can plug it in for a charge when you have time, which is why hybrids are much more versatile than electric vehicles.

On The Road

Most luxury brands are luxury-sport brands and specifically advertise this duality, which is a little weird when you think about it because the two attributes are at opposite ends of the spectrum. What you often end up with is a luxury vehicle that tries to be "sporty" but isn't, really.

Lincoln focuses on luxury — and style.

You will find the ride is softer than most, as are the seats. Everything around you is meant to convey ease, including the push buttons for engaging Drive, Park and Reverse. These bring back a feature Lincoln offered back in the JFK era, but work much better now than then because back then, electronic controls were primitive relative to today.

At The Curb

Though this is Lincoln's smallest crossover, it feels (and looks) larger than Ford's smallest crossover, probably because its length is accentuated by the different Lincoln bodywork.

And glasswork.

Viewed from the side, the Corsair looks like it might have a third row because it has more glass behind the second row. The Ford's tapers into the small rear quarter glass that's now as commonplace as the absence of an ashtray in new crossovers. The Lincoln's continues upright almost to the liftgate, giving the impression of more than meets the eye.

There are some other interesting differences, too.

The Corsair has 43.2 inches of driver and front-seat passenger legroom — an inch more than in the Escape. But the Escape has more backseat legroom (40.7 inches vs. 38.6 inches in the Lincoln) as well as significantly more cargo room, both behind its second row and with its second row folded (37.5 cubic feet and 65.4 cubic feet, respectively, vs. 27.6 cubic feet and 57.6 cubic feet).

These differences are manifestations of different priorities. The Escape is the more utilitarian of the two crossovers. It's a great crossover for young families with small kids. The Corsair is for parents whose kids are off at college.

The Rest

Because it is a Lincoln, the Corsair comes standard with amenities that aren't even offered with the Ford such as the already mentioned dual LCD touch screen displays. There is also the standard 10-speaker audio system, which out-speakers the Escape's standard six-speaker stereo.

And you cannot get the Corsair's available 14-speaker Revel audio system in the Escape.

The Bottom Line

Lincoln doesn't sell luxury cars anymore. But it does sell crossovers that are still Lincolns.

Eric's latest book, "Doomed: Good Cars Gone Wrong!" will be available soon. To find out more about Eric and read his past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.

View the Lincoln Corsair this week.