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The luxury compact SUV segment is competitive, to say the least. American automakers Ford and General Motors built empires on making vehicles for working-class Americans, but both automakers try their hand at luxury models via their respective luxury brands, Lincoln and Buick. Here’s why the 2022 Lincoln Corsair flexes on the 2022 Buick Envision luxury compact SUV model.

The 2022 Lincoln Corsair is a classier Ford Escape

A gray Lincoln Corsair is driving on the road.
A gray Lincoln Corsair is driving on the road | Lincoln

The 2022 Lincoln Corsair starts at $36,105. It uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine to make 250 horsepower. The luxury compact SUV model achieves 22 miles per gallon in the city and 29 miles per gallon on the highway.

The Lincoln Corsair features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. It comes with ambient lighting. The luxury SUV comes with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It includes a second-row sliding seat for increased comfort for passengers.

The Corsair’s ambient lighting and premium cabin materials create an interior aesthetic that’s tough to beat. Its superior driving dynamics make the luxury compact SUV a prime example of the best of American luxury.

The 2022 Buick Envision doesn’t quite cut the mustard as a luxury SUV

A black 2022 Buick Envision.
A black Buick Envision is parked outside a home | Buick

The 2022 Buick Envision starts at $31,500. It uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine to produce 228 horsepower. The luxury compact SUV gets 24 miles per gallon in the city and 31 miles per gallon on the highway.

The Envision, like the Encore, is reasonably priced. It just doesn’t cut the mustard as a luxury compact model, especially when compared with its peers. The Buick Envision uses an isolated five-link rear suspension and Active Noise Cancellation, so the luxury compact SUV provides a quiet ride.

The 2022 Buick Envision received a 6.5/10 overall rating from Car and Driver. The 2022 Lincoln Corsair scored a 7/10 overall rating from the world-renowned publication. Ultimately the Corsair is the better American luxury compact SUV model because of its cabin, driving dynamics, and quicker acceleration.

Should you buy a 2022 Lincoln Corsair?

A blue Lincoln Corsair is on display.
A blue Lincoln Corsair is on display | Spencer Platt via Getty Images

The 2022 Lincoln Corsair may be a better luxury compact SUV model than the 2022 Buick Envision, but that doesn’t make it the best option on the market. There are plenty of better luxury compact SUV options that offer more power, refinement, and tech.

The 2022 Acura RDX, 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC Class, and 2021 BMW X5 are all better luxury compact SUV options than the Lincoln Corsair or Buick Envision. The 2022 Acura RDX starts at $39,300, just $3,195 more than the Lincoln Corsair. American automakers have produced great luxury compact SUV models recently. They just still can’t compete with Japanese or European luxury SUVs.

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The 2021 Lincoln Corsair Is an Underrated American SUV