Compare the2024 Lincoln CorsairVS 2024 Audi Q3

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Corsair offers optional Reverse Brake Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Q3 doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The Corsair’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Q3 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Corsair and the Q3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Lincoln Corsair is safer than the Audi Q3:

	Corsair	Q3
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	143	326
Neck Injury Risk	22.5%	39%
Neck Stress	185 lbs.	343 lbs.
Neck Compression	23 lbs.	35 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	188/315 lbs.	235/363 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	102	346
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.6 inches
Neck Stress	181 lbs.	186 lbs.
Neck Compression	58 lbs.	83 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	220/169 lbs.	261/249 lbs.

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

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 Lincoln Corsair is safer than the Audi Q3:

	Corsair	Q3
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	240 lbs.	333 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	97	159
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	43 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	11 inches	13 inches
HIC	344	504
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	47 G’s
Hip Force	462 lbs.	485 lbs.

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

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Corsair the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 165 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Q3 last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2019.

Warranty

Lincoln’s powertrain warranty covers the Corsair 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Audi covers the Q3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Q3 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 2 times as many Lincoln dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Corsair’s warranty.

Reliability

The Corsair has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Q3 doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lincoln vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 13 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Lincoln higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lincoln vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lincoln above average in long-term dependability. With 12 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

Engine

The Corsair’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 66 more horsepower (250 vs. 184) and 54 lbs.-ft. more torque (275 vs. 221) than the Q3 40 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Corsair’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 22 more horsepower (250 vs. 228) and 24 lbs.-ft. more torque (275 vs. 251) than the Q3 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Corsair Grand Touring’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 38 more horsepower (266 vs. 228) than the Q3 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Lincoln Corsair turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Q3 45 TFSI:

	Corsair	Q3
Zero to 60 MPH	6.6 sec	8.5 sec
Quarter Mile	15 sec	16.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	92.3 MPH	85.4 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Corsair running on electricity gets better mileage than the Q3:

			MPGe
Corsair
	AWD	Grand Touring Electric Motor	86 city/69 hwy
Q3
			MPG
	AWD	40 TFSI 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/29 hwy
		45 TFSI 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/28 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the Corsair running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Q3:

			MPG
Corsair
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/30 hwy
	AWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	34 city/32 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/28 hwy
Q3
	AWD	40 TFSI 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/29 hwy
		45 TFSI 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/28 hwy

The Corsair Grand Touring can travel with zero emissions for 27 miles. The Q3 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the Corsair Grand Touring’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Q3 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Corsair has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Q3 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lincoln Corsair higher (7 to 8 out of 10) than the Audi Q3 (6 to 7). This means the Corsair produces up to 6.6 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Q3 every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The Corsair Grand Touring has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Q3 doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The Corsair stops much shorter than the Q3:

	Corsair	Q3
60 to 0 MPH	114 feet	125 feet	Motor Trend

Suspension and Handling

The Corsair offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Q3’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Corsair’s wheelbase is 1.2 inches longer than on the Q3 (106.7 inches vs. 105.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Corsair is .4 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than on the Q3.

The Corsair Reserve AWD handles at .83 G’s, while the Q3 pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Corsair Reserve AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the Q3 (27 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Corsair’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the Q3’s (37.1 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

Chassis

The Lincoln Corsair may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 200 pounds less than the Audi Q3.

The front grille of the Corsair uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Q3 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Corsair uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Q3 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The Corsair has 18.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Q3 (102.5 vs. 84).

The Corsair has 3.2 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, 2.5 inches more rear legroom and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Q3.

Cargo Capacity

The Corsair has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Q3 with its rear seat up (27.6 vs. 23.7 cubic feet). The Corsair has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q3 with its rear seat folded (57.6 vs. 48 cubic feet).

Pressing a button automatically lowers the Corsair’s optional rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Q3 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

The Corsair’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Q3’s (2000 vs. 1500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Audi Q3 is only 1500 pounds. The Corsair offers up to a 3000 lbs. towing capacity.

The Corsair Grand Touring can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Corsair can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Q3 can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Corsair uses the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Q3 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

The Corsair has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Q3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Corsair’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Q3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Corsair offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning, turn signal and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Q3 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Corsair’s exterior PIN entry system. The Q3 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its extra cost Audi Connect CARE can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Corsair has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Q3 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

Consumer Reports rated the Corsair’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Q3’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The Q3 Premium Plus’ cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Corsair Reserve’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

Both the Corsair and the Q3 have standard heated front seats. The Corsair also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Q3.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Corsair keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Q3 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Corsair’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Q3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Corsair Reserve/Grand Touring offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Q3.

The Corsair’s optional Active Park Assist 2.0 can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Q3 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

The Corsair is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Q3 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Corsair owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Corsair with a number “8” insurance rate while the Q3 is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Corsair is less expensive to operate than the Q3 because typical repairs cost much less on the Corsair than the Q3, including $144 less for a water pump, $314 less for a starter, $12 less for fuel injection and $385 less for front struts.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Lincoln Corsair and the Audi Q3, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Lincoln Corsair outsold the Audi Q3 by 10% during 2023.