The compact luxury SUV market is full of choices, and we think two worth consideration are the 2024 Acura RDX and 2024 Lincoln Corsair. They both come with turbocharged 4-cylinder engines with similar power output. They’re also just right-sized for many drivers: big enough to be roomy and small enough to be easy to drive and park.
In addition to competing against one another, they square off against rivals such as the Genesis GV70, BMW X3, Lexus NX, and Mercedes-Benz GLC.
To learn more about the RDX and Corsair, let’s take a deeper dive into some of their key highlights.
2024 Acura RDX
The 2024 RDX lineup includes the base RDX, RDX with Technology package, RDX A-Spec, RDX with Advance package, and RDX A-Spec with Advance package. Pricing starts at $45,700, including a $1,350 destination fee, and rises to $55,500 for the top-of-the-line A-Spec Advance. New for the 2024 model year, all-wheel drive becomes standard.
Acura doesn’t hold back on loading even the base RDX with features like a 10.2-inch infotainment screen, wireless smartphone connectivity, Amazon Alexa, a panoramic roof, dual-zone climate control, and power-operated liftgate.
Acura RDX Highlights
Driving fun: The Acura RDX is a blast to drive. A 272-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine matched to a 10-speed automatic transmission delivers strong and linear acceleration. Zipping from a standstill to 60 mph takes about 6 seconds. Better still, Acura’s much-lauded Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system provides extra grip and quicker steering responses in wet or dry conditions.
ELS audio: With input from Grammy award-winning sound engineer Elliot Scheiner, the ELS audio systems in the MDX have amazing acoustics. Available with 12 or 16 speakers, music fans will love them.
Adaptive suspension: This slick suspension system offers selectable drive modes and will even respond to the driver’s behavior. It’s part of the Advance package. If you’re driving the Acura RDX quickly on a curvy road, for example, the adaptive suspension delivers a firmer ride and quicker steering inputs. For more mellow cruises, the ride softens and the steering inputs are less immediate.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the RDX models near you.
2024 Lincoln Corsair
After a significant refresh for the 2023 model year, the 2024 Lincoln Corsair arrives with no major changes. Three trims are available — Premiere, Reserve, and Grand Touring — and pricing starts at $40,385, including destination fee. Because the Grand Touring is a plug-in hybrid, we opt to review it separately.
The Premiere and Reserve trims come with a 250-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available. During our test drives, we found this drivetrain delivers a nice blend of economy and performance.
Lincoln Corsair Highlights
Relaxing ride: There are quicker SUVs out there, though few deliver the eerily quiet ride provided by the Corsair. This Lincoln positively sails down the road but doesn’t feel floaty like your great aunt’s block-long Town Car. A supple ride and light steering conspire to create a relaxing driving experience.
Co-Pilot 360: This bundle of driver aids includes automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and more. It’s standard on every Corsair.
Sliding second row: Here’s a feature you can’t get in the Acura RDX. The Corsair already has some of the best legroom among compact luxury SUVs, and its sliding second row makes a good thing even better. It can travel about 6 inches forward and back. This is perfect for times when you need more space for passengers or extra room for cargo.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Corsair models near you.
Similarities
These two compact luxury SUVs are pleasant to drive and come with a high degree of comfort and safety items as standard. They have roomy cabins with good outward visibility, not to mention similar power and reasonable fuel economy.
Conclusion
We think the Acura RDX and Lincoln Corsair both push many of the right buttons for car shoppers. They’re refined yet peppy and have ride manners that are nicely balanced in city and highway driving.
Of the two, the RDX is sportier and feels built to last. It also has a great track record for resale value and comes standard with all-wheel drive, which costs extra on the Lincoln. The Corsair also has many fine attributes, particularly its whisper-quiet cabin and lower base price. Yet we think the RDX pulls out the win in this comparison.
| 2024 Acura RDX | 2024 Lincoln Corsair | |
| Starting Price | $45,700 | $40,385 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | Turbo 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | Turbo 2.0-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 272 hp @ 6,200 rpm | 250 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 280 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm | 280 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Fuel economy MPG | 21 city/27 highway/23 combined | 22 city/30 highway/25 combined |
| Also Available | AWD; Plug-in hybrid | |
| 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-Star | 5-Star |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 108.3 inches | 106.7 inches |
| Overall Length | 187.4 inches | 181.4 inches |
| Width | 74.8 inches | 74.3 inches |
| Height | 65.7 inches | 64.1 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 39.0 feet | 37.1 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.0 inches | 39.5 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 38.0 inches | 38.7 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 42.0 inches | 43.2 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 38.0 inches | 38.6 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 60.0 inches | 57.1 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 57.0 inches | 56.3 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 29.5 cubic feet | 27.6 cubic feet |
