Compare Lincoln Corsair vs Acura RDX – Luxury compact SUVs have become increasingly popular in recent years, offering a balance of style, performance, and versatility.
Two popular models in this category are the 2023 Lincoln Corsair and the 2023 Acura RDX. Both offer premium features and amenities, but which one is the best choice for you?
In this in-depth article, we’ll compare the two SUVs across a range of categories to help you decide.
What is the Difference Between Lincoln Corsair and Acura RDX?
The main difference between the 2023 Lincoln Corsair vs Acura RDX lies in their respective priorities.
The Lincoln Corsair is more focused on providing a comfortable and refined ride, with a user-friendly touchscreen interface and advanced safety features.
On the other hand, the Acura RDX prioritizes performance and handling, with a more powerful engine and sportier driving dynamics.
Additionally, the Acura RDX has a more spacious interior, while the Lincoln Corsair has higher safety ratings.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The Lincoln Corsair and Acura RDX are both priced similarly, with the Corsair starting at $42,385 and the RDX starting at $41,550.
However, there are a few differences between the two models that could influence your decision.
The Lincoln Corsair comes in four different trims, including the Standard, Reserve, Grand Touring, and Black Label.
The Reserve trim offers the best value, as it comes with additional features like a panoramic sunroof, a 14-speaker Revel audio system, and a power liftgate.
The Grand Touring and Black Label trims offer even more luxury features, but at a higher price point.
The Acura RDX, on the other hand, comes in five different trims, including the Standard, Technology, A-Spec, Advance, and PMC Edition.
The Technology trim is the best value, as it comes with a range of safety and tech features like blind-spot monitoring, a 12-speaker ELS Studio audio system, and a navigation system.
The A-Spec and Advance trims offer additional luxury features, while the PMC Edition is a limited-run model with unique styling cues.
Read also: Lincoln Corsair vs Genesis GV70
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Both the Lincoln Corsair and Acura RDX offer impressive performance for their size, with a standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission.
However, there are some differences between the two models when it comes to power and handling.
The Lincoln Corsair comes with a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque.
There’s also an available 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 295 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.
The Corsair also features Lincoln’s Drive Control system, which allows you to adjust the SUV’s performance settings based on road conditions.
The Acura RDX also comes with a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque.
However, the RDX has a unique transmission, with a 10-speed automatic that shifts quickly and smoothly.
The RDX also comes with Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, which provides excellent traction and handling in all driving conditions.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Fuel economy is an important consideration for any SUV, especially in the luxury compact category. The Lincoln Corsair and Acura RDX both offer decent fuel efficiency for their size, but there are some differences to note.
The Lincoln Corsair with the standard 2.0-liter engine and front-wheel drive gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.
The all-wheel-drive version gets slightly lower ratings of 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.
The Corsair with the available 2.3-liter engine and all-wheel drive gets an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.
The Acura RDX with front-wheel drive gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, while the all-wheel-drive version gets slightly lower ratings of 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.
These numbers are slightly better than Lincoln Corsair’s fuel economy ratings. In real-world testing, the Lincoln Corsair and Acura RDX both achieve similar fuel economy numbers.
According to Edmunds, the Corsair averaged 22 mpg in combined driving, while the RDX averaged 23 mpg in combined driving.
Both SUVs offer a decent balance of power and fuel efficiency, but the Acura RDX’s slightly better fuel economy could save you some money at the pump over time.
Exterior Dimensions
The Lincoln Corsair and Acura RDX are both compact SUVs, but there are some differences when it comes to exterior dimensions.
The Lincoln Corsair is slightly smaller than the Acura RDX, measuring 180.6 inches in length, 73.4 inches in width, and 64.1 inches in height.
The Acura RDX measures 186.7 inches in length, 74.8 inches in width, and 65.7 inches in height.
Despite its slightly smaller size, the Lincoln Corsair offers ample interior space, with 102.5 cubic feet of passenger volume and 27.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats.
The Acura RDX offers slightly more passenger volume, with 104 cubic feet, but slightly less cargo space, with 29.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats.
Interior and Comfort
The Lincoln Corsair and Acura RDX both offer upscale interiors with a range of premium features and materials. However, there are some differences between the two models when it comes to interior design and comfort.
The Lincoln Corsair features a clean, modern interior with a minimalist dashboard design and high-quality materials throughout.
The front seats are comfortable and supportive, with 10-way power adjustment and heating as standard features. The rear seats are also comfortable, with ample legroom and headroom for most passengers.
The Acura RDX has a more futuristic interior design, with a digital gauge cluster and a unique touchpad interface for the infotainment system.
The front seats are also comfortable and supportive, with 12-way power adjustment and heating as standard features.
The rear seats offer slightly less legroom than the Lincoln Corsair, but still provide enough space for most passengers.
Read also: Lincoln Corsair vs Ford Edge
Infotainment
The Lincoln Corsair and Acura RDX both come with a range of standard and available infotainment features, including touchscreen displays, smartphone integration, and premium audio systems.
However, there are some differences between the two models when it comes to infotainment technology.
The Lincoln Corsair comes with a standard 8.0-inch touchscreen display with the SYNC 4 infotainment system.
The system is responsive and easy to use, with standard features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.
The Reserve and higher trims also come with a larger 10.1-inch touchscreen display and a premium Revel audio system.
The Acura RDX comes with a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen display with the AcuraLink infotainment system.
The system features a unique touchpad interface that some reviewers have found difficult to use, but it offers standard features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.
The Technology and Advance trims also come with a premium 16-speaker ELS Studio audio system.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The Lincoln Corsair and Acura RDX both come with a range of standard and available safety and driver-assistance features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.
However, there are some differences between the two models when it comes to safety ratings and available features.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2023 Lincoln Corsair an overall safety rating of five out of five stars, while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave it a Top Safety Pick+ award.
The Corsair comes with a range of standard safety features, including a rearview camera, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams.
The Reserve and higher trims also come with a 360-degree camera system and front parking sensors.
The 2023 Acura RDX has not yet been rated by the NHTSA or the IIHS. However, the 2022 model received a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and had good crash test ratings from the NHTSA.
The RDX comes with a range of standard safety features, including a rearview camera, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.
The Technology and Advance trims also come with a surround-view camera system and front and rear parking sensors.
Read also: Lincoln Corsair vs Cadillac XT4
FAQs
Is the Lincoln Corsair a reliable SUV?
According to J.D. Power, the 2023 Lincoln Corsair has a predicted reliability rating of three out of five, which is about average for the compact SUV segment.
The Corsair comes with a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.
What does the Lincoln Corsair compete with?
The Lincoln Corsair competes with other compact luxury SUVs like the Acura RDX, Audi Q5, BMW X3, Cadillac XT4, Lexus NX, Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, and Volvo XC60.
Will Acura RDX be redesigned in 2024?
There is no official word yet on whether the Acura RDX will be redesigned in 2024. However, it’s possible that Acura could release a mid-cycle refresh or update for the 2024 model year.
How is the Acura RDX 2023 on gas?
The Acura RDX with front-wheel drive gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, while the all-wheel-drive version gets slightly lower ratings of 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. In real-world testing, the RDX averaged 23 mpg in combined driving.
Does the 2023 Acura RDX have a touch screen?
Yes, the 2023 Acura RDX comes with a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen display with the AcuraLink infotainment system. The system features a unique touchpad interface for controlling the infotainment features.
Conclusion: Which One to Buy?
Overall, the 2023 Lincoln Corsair and 2023 Acura RDX are both solid choices in the compact luxury SUV segment.
The Corsair offers a more refined ride, a user-friendly touchscreen interface, and higher safety ratings, while the RDX has a more powerful engine, better handling, and a more spacious interior.
When it comes to pricing, the Lincoln Corsair starts at a slightly lower base price than the Acura RDX, but the top trims of both models have similar price tags.
Ultimately, the choice between the two SUVs comes down to personal preferences and priorities.
If you prioritize a comfortable ride and advanced safety features, the Lincoln Corsair could be the better option for you.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more powerful engine and sporty handling, the Acura RDX could be the way to go.
Regardless of which SUV you choose, both the 2023 Lincoln Corsair and 2023 Acura RDX offer a good balance of luxury, performance, and practicality.
