The 2024 Lincoln Corsair and Acura RDX are compact luxury SUVs that represent solid value in a segment dominated by finely engineered vehicles.
Having spent many miles behind the wheel of each SUV, we decided to see how they fare in a direct comparison. We’ve found the Corsair stands out thanks to its serene driving manners and clever touches, such as a sliding second row.
The RDX always leaves us wanting more seat time thanks to its spirited engine, sharp steering, and superb build quality. So, which is the one in which we’d keep the keys?
To look at highlights of the Lincoln Corsair and Acura RDX and find out.
2024 Lincoln Corsair
The 2024 Lincoln Corsair is available in three trims: Premiere, Reserve, and Grand Touring. Pricing starts at $40,780, including destination fee. Since the Grand Touring is a plug-in hybrid, we review it separately.
The Premiere and Reserve trims come with a 250-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel drive is available. Since it received a sizable refresh last year, the 2024 Corsair arrives with no significant updates.
Lincoln Corsair Highlights
Calming demeanor: The Lincoln Corsair is a delight when we’re in the mood to relax behind the wheel. Yes, there are rival compact luxury SUVs with quicker steering or wilder engines. This Lincoln excels at providing a hushed and calming cabin and a ride that easily absorbs bumpy roads.
Co-Pilot360 2.0: Standard on every Corsair, Co-Pilot360 2.0 includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and more. A head-up instrument display, rain-sensing wipers, and a 360-degree parking camera are optional.
Sliding second row: At 38.6 inches, the Lincoln Corsair has plenty of rear legroom for tall adults. Yet a standard sliding second row can move forward or back by about six inches. This adjustability helps free up even more legroom or boost cargo volume if needed.
BlueCruise: This hands-free highway driving aid can be activated on more than 130,000 roads throughout North America. It’s available starting on the Reserve trim as part of the Collection III package. This grouping of options also adds a panoramic roof, head-up instrument display, Revel stereo, and heated rear seats.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Corsair models near you.
2024 Acura RDX
The 2024 Acura RDX price starts at $45,700, including a $1,350 delivery charge. The range consists of the RDX base model, RDX with Technology package, RDX A-Spec, RDX with Advance package, and RDX A-Spec with Advance package. The big news for this model year is that all-wheel drive is fitted to every variant. Previously, front-wheel drive was available.
Similar to the Lincoln Corsair, the RDX comes with a generous number of standard features, such as a 10.2-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, dual-zone climate control, power-operated tailgate, and panoramic roof. The RDX’s last midcycle refresh — including more tech touches and updated styling — occurred for the 2022 model year.
Acura RDX Highlights
Driving fun: The 272-hp turbocharged 4-cylinder and 10-speed automatic transmission work in perfect harmony. In city or highway driving, the RDX has more than enough punch to lead the pack. Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system also adds to the fun. It sharpens the handling and delivers extra grip in all types of driving conditions. Overall, it’s a more lively driving experience than what the Lincoln Corsair offers.
ELS stereo: Who do you call when you want a killer audio system for your compact luxury SUV? Acura figured it was a smart idea to ring Grammy award-winning sound engineer Elliott Scheiner. Available with 12 or 16 speakers, the available ELS systems have terrific sound quality.
Adaptive suspension: Part of the Advance package, the adaptive suspension system gives the RDX even sharper reflexes. The dampers are adjusted via several driver-selectable settings. The system also monitors the driver’s real-time behavior and adjusts the dampers accordingly.
Resale: It’s always good to know your long-term relationship with a vehicle won’t eventually burn an SUV-sized hole in your wallet. The RDX has a strong record for holding onto its value.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the RDX models near you.
Similarities
The Lincoln Corsair and Acura RDX are notable for being great values among competitors with higher base prices. They make excellent daily drivers, thanks to their good outward visibility, ample passenger space, and roomy cargo holds.
Conclusion
The Lincoln Corsair has a lower base price, a supple ride, and an extremely quiet cabin. Having that sliding second row is another big plus point, and so is its slightly better fuel economy in either front- or all-wheel drive configuration.
Where the RDX pulls ahead is in its sharper handling, free-revving engine, and strong resale value. We always suggest taking the time for a test drive or two. That could be the deciding factor here.
Yet, seeing how high up the RDX resides in our ranking of Best Luxury Compact SUVs, we believe it earns the win.
| 2024 Lincoln Corsair | 2024 Acura RDX | |
| Starting Price | $40,385 | $45,700 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | Turbo 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | Turbo 2.0-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 250 hp @ 5,500 rpm | 272 hp @ 6,500 rpm |
| Torque | 280 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm | 280 lb-ft @ 1,600-4,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Fuel economy MPG | 22 city/30 highway/25 combined | 21 city/27 highway/23 combined |
| Also Available | AWD | |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 6 years/70,000 miles | 6 years/70,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 106.7 inches | 108.3 inches |
| Overall Length | 181.4 inches | 187.4 inches |
| Width | 74.3 inches | 74.8 inches |
| Height | 64.1 inches | 65.7 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 37.1 feet | 39.0 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.5 inches | 40.0 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 38.7 inches | 38.0 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 43.2 inches | 42.0 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 38.6 inches | 38.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 57.1 inches | 60.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 56.3 inches | 57.0 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 27.6 cubic feet | 29.5 cubic feet |
