Compare the2026 BMW X3VS 2026 Lincoln Corsair

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The X3’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Corsair doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The X3 has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Corsair doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

The X3 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Corsair doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the BMW X3 achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Lincoln Corsair has not been tested.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the X3. But it costs extra on the Corsair.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the X3’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Corsair doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The BMW X3’s optional Surround View offers available integrated front and rear camera washers, ensuring clear, all-weather visibility without the need for manual cleaning. In contrast, the Lincoln Corsair lacks camera washers, requiring you to manually clean the cameras for optimal performance.

Both the X3 and the Corsair have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the BMW X3 is safer than the Lincoln Corsair:

	X3	Corsair
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	60	197
Chest Movement	.6 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	148 lbs.	191 lbs.
Hip Force	214 lbs.	240 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	162	344

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the BMW X3 is much safer than the Corsair:

	X3	Corsair
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	39	391
Head Peak Forces	no contact	93 G’s
Neck Tension	201 lbs.	379 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	MARGINAL
Shoulder Deflection	.79 in	1.1 in
Shoulder Force	201 lbs.	223 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.94 in	1.77 in
Torso Deflection Rate	6 MPH	8 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	692 lbs.	1160 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	201 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.63 in	1.54 in
Shoulder Force	67 lbs.	379 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.79 in	1.5 in
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	5 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	669 lbs.	1093 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The BMW X3 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Corsair is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

The X3’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Corsair’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X3 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Lincoln doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Corsair. (Lincoln offers free mainteance on some Corsair models.)

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the X3’s reliability 42 points higher than the Corsair.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Lincoln vehicles. With 10 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Lincoln.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Lincoln is rated below average.

Engine

The X3 30 xDrive’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 5 more horsepower (255 vs. 250) and 20 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 275) than the Corsair’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The X3 M50 xDrive’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 127 more horsepower (393 vs. 266) than the Corsair Grand Touring’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the X3 30 xDrive 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Lincoln Corsair turbo 4 cyl.:

	X3	Corsair
Zero to 60 MPH	6 sec	7.3 sec
Quarter Mile	14.5 sec	15.6 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	94.5 MPH	88.4 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the X3 gets better mileage than the Corsair running its gasoline engine:

			MPG
X3
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	27 city/33 hwy
		3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	25 city/30 hwy
Corsair
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/30 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/28 hwy

The X3 has 6.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Corsair Grand Touring’s standard fuel tank (17.2 vs. 11.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

The X3 M50’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Corsair doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the X3’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Corsair:

	X3 30 xDrive	X3 M50 xDrive	Corsair
Front Rotors	13 inches	13.7 inches	12.1 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13.5 inches	11.9 inches

The X3’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Corsair are solid, not vented.

The X3 stops much shorter than the Corsair:

	X3	Corsair
70 to 0 MPH	155 feet	179 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	108 feet	126 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	137 feet	139 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the X3 has larger standard tires than the Corsair (245/50R19 vs. 225/60R18). The X3’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Corsair (F:255/40R21 & R:285/35R21 vs. 245/45R20).

The X3’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Corsair Premiere’s standard 60 series tires. The X3’s optional 255/40R21 front and 285/35R21 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the Corsair’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X3 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Corsair Premiere. The X3’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Corsair.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X3’s wheelbase is 6.1 inches longer than on the Corsair (112.8 inches vs. 106.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the X3 is 1.1 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Corsair.

The X3’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.5% to 49.5%) than the Corsair’s (56% to 44%). This gives the X3 more stable handling and braking.

The X3 30 xDrive handles at .91 G’s, while the Corsair Reserve AWD pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X3 M50 xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.4 seconds quicker than the Corsair Premiere AWD (25.3 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

Passenger Space

The X3 has 1 inch more front headroom, 4.3 inches more front hip room, .8 inches more front shoulder room and 7.3 inches more rear hip room than the Corsair.

Cargo Capacity

The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Corsair with its rear seat up (31.5 vs. 27.6 cubic feet). The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Corsair with its rear seat folded (67.1 vs. 57.6 cubic feet).

Towing

The X3’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Corsair’s (4001 vs. 2000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Lincoln Corsair is only 3000 pounds. The X3 offers up to a 4850 lbs. towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the X3 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Corsair. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The X3’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Corsair’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X3 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Corsair doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X3 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Corsair doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the X3 is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Corsair’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The BMW X3 has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Lincoln charges extra for Homelink® on the Corsair.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW X3 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Corsair.

The X3’s Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling the transmission and speed with the brake pedal. With its available fully controlled system, the driver just activates it and it parks autonomously, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Corsair’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X3, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Lincoln Corsair isn't recommended.

The BMW X3 outsold the Lincoln Corsair by almost three to one during 2024.

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