What Lincoln SUV is Comparable to the Ford Escape?
Most people have figured out that the Fords and Lincolns are based on the same platforms.
What most people don’t know is which Ford models correspond with which Lincoln ones, especially when we get into their plethora of midsize SUVs, such as the Ford Escape.
So which Lincoln models are comparable to the Ford Escape?
Though older models of the Ford Escape will have the most similarity to the Lincoln MKC, newer models of the Escape are comparable to the all-new Lincoln Corsair, which started replacing the MKC in the 2020 model year. The Corsair is now commonly known as the luxury model of the Escape.
Even though the Ford Escape and the Lincoln Corsair are built on the same platform and are mechanically similar, the two are actually very different when you look closer.
Below, we’ll discuss the two vehicles in more detail, including their similarities, and most importantly, how they’re different.
Ford Escape
The Ford Escape has been around for a long time, and it has gathered quite a following over the years.
For the base model, the Escape’s pricing starts at about $25,555.
This 5-seater SUV has a pretty good gas mileage too.
It has an average of 28 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway.
The Escape also comes in 4 trims: the S, SE, SEL, and Titanium.
Each of these trims (except the S) also offers a hybrid and plug-in hybrid option.
The Ford Escape is reported by Ford to be 180.5″ long, 85.6″ wide, and 66.1″ tall.
Surprisingly, the width and height exceed the Corsair’s by around 2 inches.
This difference is evident in the 2nd-row seating because it’s actually larger than the Lincoln’s.
This accounts for some of the width difference.
Ford is well-known for its reliability.
After all, their slogan since 1979 is “Built Ford Tough”.
Luckily Fords have never been bad to look at, and they come in a variety of distinctive and sporty styles.
Sadly, when it was reviewed by Motor Trend as the Corsair was released, they rated the exterior and interior styling as average, using words like “forgettable” and “cheap” to describe it.
Of course, it was being compared to a Lincoln in this case.
Surprisingly, the Escape outranks the Corsair in consumer ratings.
Edmunds Consumer Reviews gives the 2020 Ford Escape a 4/5 star rating.
This rating was gathered by analyzing 108 reviews.
Though there are pages of reviews praising the Escape, there are some reviewers that mentioned problems with the transmission and comfort level.
Some also expressed dissatisfaction with the plasticky insert materials.
Lincoln Corsair
The Lincoln Corsair is one of Lincoln’s all-new names, having taken over for the MKC model, which was discontinued when the Corsair was released in the 2020 model year.
For a base model, one can purchase the Corsair for as little as $36,105, which is pretty good as far as a luxury SUV is considered.
The Corsair reaches an average of 22 MPG in the city and 29 on the highway.
This is a gas mileage that is typical for an SUV.
The 5-seater Corsair comes in 3 trim levels: the Standard, Reserve, and Grand Touring.
Lengthwise, the Lincoln Corsair is about the same size as the Ford Escape: 180.6 inches.
However, by way of width and height, the Corsair is actually smaller than the Escape by about 2 inches in each direction.
Even though it seems to be smaller on paper, though, the Corsair actually surpasses the Escape’s size on the inside of the vehicle (at least for the first row).
Lincoln is well-known for the level of luxury they incorporate into each of their vehicles, and the Corsair is no exception.
Lincoln’s classy design exceeds every expectation, even when compared to other luxury vehicles, like the Cadillac X4/XT5 and the Lexus UX/NX.
Prestigious attention to detail assures that even the warning chimes are fancy.
The audio for these chimes was performed by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra! Another great feature found in the Lincoln Corsair is the ability for the seat to be adjusted in over 20 ways.
Notwithstanding all of this, Edmunds Consumer Reviews rates the 2020 Lincoln Corsair at 3.7/5 stars, and that rating may come as a shock to some customers.
However, upon further examination, most of the reviews lose stars based on the performance of the dealership and/or company.
Lincoln MKC
Pre-2020 Ford Escapes will best compare to the Lincoln MKC, which is the old name of the Lincoln Corsair.
The two are definitely different though.
As one can see from the Edmunds Consumer Reviews on a used 2019 MKC- a 4.2/5 star rating surpasses the Corsair by half a star, and it exceeds the Escape’s rating as well.
More people seem to believe that the MKC deserves a review compared to the Corsair.
In fact, several current Corsair owners recount that they upgraded from an MKC, but were left feeling like their new vehicle just isn’t as good.
Among reviews of the 2019 MKC, reviewers rave about every part of the vehicle, saying that they will never drive another car.
Sadly for them, the MKC has been discontinued and replaced by the Corsair, which hasn’t quite beaten its learning curve.
Similar to the Corsair and the Escape, owners of the MKC noticed transmission issues very early on- especially during cold weather.
And just like the Corsair, the MKC tended to beat out its competitors from Volvo, Lexus, Mercedes, and other luxury brands.
Similar to the Corsair, MKCs were generally priced at almost $10,000 more than their Ford counterparts.
But even with the fancier materials and features in the MKC, the Escape still tended to be ranked higher on most car comparison sites because it is said to be roomier and to have better gas mileage.
These are the things the general public wants to see as the best features of a car, and though the Lincoln doesn’t deliver the best, it does deliver a result that’s pretty close.
However, if it’s purely based on looks, the Lincoln MKC would win every time, just like the Corsair.
Lincoln just has a way of making their cars look and feel like luxury vehicles.
Between Ford and Lincoln, you will be able to find a reliable, attractive car that works well for you.