The Overlooked Luxury SUV That Costs Less Than A Toyota RAV4 Prime

The Toyota RAV4 Prime (or, as it’s now called, the RAV4 Plug-In) is quite the popular SUV because of how seamlessly it blends performance, practicality, and efficiency. The 302-horsepower plug-in hybrid powertrain is the primary reason for this fame, which, along with the clever AWD setup, helps this Toyota hit 60 mph in about 5.5 seconds. This is despite it having a rather cozy CVT gearbox. The cabin is spacious and oozes practicality. The RAV4 Plug-In also comes with a slew of standard safety features courtesy of Toyota Safety Sense 2.5.

All good things to say about this SUV. However, we would like to divert your attention to an overlooked luxury SUV that is not just more affordable than the RAV4 but also looks more upmarket, offers more comfort features, is longer, and can tow more (3,000 pounds as opposed to 2,500 pounds on the Toyota). It also provides an extra trim level and the flexibility to choose between a pure ICE or a hybrid powertrain, with two choices of gearboxes as well. More importantly, it’s an all-American looker from Lincoln, and it deserves your attention over the Toyota RAV4 Plug-In.

The Lincoln Corsair Starts From Under $40,000

Whereas The Toyota RAV4 Prime (Plug-In) Starts From $44,815

The new Lincoln Corsair starts from $39,985 for the base Premiere trim level. On the flip side, the Toyota RAV4 Plug-In begins from $44,815. That’s a significant price difference. Furthermore, the Corsair is offered in three trim levels (Premiere, Reserve, and Grand Touring), while the RAV4 Plug-In is provided in two (SE and XSE). Sure, the top-spec $54,365 Corsair Grand Touring trim is more expensive than the $48,685 RAV4 Plug-In XSE. But if you are in the market for a luxury-oriented SUV, then the difference in pricing is well justified with the longer list of interior features for comfort, convenience, and luxury.

Trims And Prices Compared

New Lincoln Corsair: Engine And Performance

Offered In Both ICE And Plug-In Hybrid Engine Options

Lincoln offers the Corsair with both a pure ICE engine and a hybrid setup. The Premiere and Reserve trims come with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. It is coupled to an 8-speed automatic gearbox sending power to the front wheels as standard. An AWD system is optional here. The top-spec Grand Touring trim is offered only as a plug-in. It packs a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine coupled to two electric motors; one with the CVT system and the other on the rear axle.

The Corsair Hybrid produces 266 horsepower. On the flip side, Toyota keeps things simple with both its trim levels getting the same 2.5-liter naturally aspirated hybrid four-cylinder mill. However, both electric motors are located on the front transaxle, helping the RAV4 achieve a higher combined power rating and enabling it to run on electric power alone. While the Toyota has an edge in terms of combined ratings, the base Lincoln trim level has a lower curb weight due to the absence of a hybrid setup. This should essentially improve its power-to-weight ratio and, hence, narrow the power advantage of the RAV4 Prime.

Engine And Gearbox Specs Compared

(Base Trim Data Mentioned Here)

Plush Cabin With Loads Of Creature Comfort Features

Offered With Leather Upholstery, Wood Trimmings, And More

This is where the luxury appeal of the Lincoln Corsair is eons ahead of what the Toyota RAV4 Plug-In offers. Surely, the Toyota is not tagged as a luxury car. Still, at a more affordable price, when we see the more intricate, comfort-oriented standard feature list of the Corsair, the comparison is valid. Even the base Corsair comes with features like powered front seats, sliding rear seats, active noise control, leatherette upholstery, and a well-isolated cabin with superior sound damping. All of these features are absent on the RAV4. In terms of the electronic and entertainment features in the cabin, the Corsair gets bigger displays and more connected features.

Impresses Further With Commendable Safety And Assistive Features

Comes With An Available Hands-Free Driver Assistance System

Beyond luxury and comfort features, Lincoln also triumphs with its safety and assistive suite. Some notable features that are present on the base Corsair but not the RAV4 Plug-In include Rear Cross Traffic Braking, Forward Collision Warning, Blind Spot Information With Cross Traffic Alert, and Evasive Steering Assist, to name some. Lincoln also offers a Personal Safety System for the Corsair. This is a comprehensive suite of safety features that uses an array of sensors and advanced technology to protect occupants during a crash and help prevent collisions.

The assistive features alert drivers and even intervene to help avoid accidents, and the airbags can also adjust deployment rates based on crash severity and occupant conditions. The optional assistive feature list on the Lincoln is interesting, too. Notable ones include a 360-degree camera, adaptive suspension, and even a hands-free Lincoln BlueCruise feature. The hands-free suite includes Lane Change Assist and In-lane Repositioning, allowing the driver to operate the vehicle hands-free on 97 percent of controlled-access highways across the US and Canada.

Lincoln Corsair Arguably Has A More Upmarket Design

The Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Looks Mundane Compared To It

While the Toyota RAV4 is a sharp-looking SUV, the Lincoln Corsair has the edge with a more sophisticated design that oozes luxury appeal. A lot more flowing lines, sleeker and more naturally designed headlamps, and a unique front grille design give it a distinctive look. Furthermore, Lincoln offers a cool Jet Black Appearance package that provides the Corsair with a sporty look with blacked-out elements, including the front grille, wheels, and inserts on both bumpers. Compared to all of this, the Toyota RAV4 Plug-In is rather bland.

Notable Lincoln Corsair Design Features

• Jeweled LED Headlamps
• Dual Exhaust with Chrome Tips Bright Beltline Molding
• 18-inch / 19-inch Alloy Wheels