- American luxury brands were once relatively affordable.
- That’s no longer the case as the entry-level Lincoln costs $48,790.
- Over at Cadillac, you’ll need to shell out $46,595 for the XT5.
When Lincoln unveiled the 2027 Corsair Hybrid earlier today, they noted it would be the “first introduction” to the brand for many people. This is hardly surprising as it’s their entry-level model, which is traditionally seen as a stepping stone.
However, the cost of entry has soared to $46,495 before a $2,295 destination fee. That’s an increase of $7,310 and it means the entry-level Corsair costs $4,240 more than a BMW X1. The crossover also costs thousands more than the Audi Q3 and is $1,570 more expensive than a Lexus NX.
More: The Lincoln Corsair Is Back As An Overpriced, Chinese Import
Lincoln seems to know this has put them in a terrible position as they tried to justify the massive price hike to me. Besides the newly standard hybrid powertrain, the model comes equipped with all-wheel drive and a four-year subscription to BlueCruise 1.5. Those are certainly nice things to have, but the $48,790 crossover has a dated interior and a list of standard equipment that is lacking.
In particular, the ‘luxury’ vehicle lacks rain-sensing wipers, a universal garage door opener, and a hands-free power liftgate. Those items are bundled into a $3,500 package and you can’t help but feel the facelifted Corsair is overpriced.
However, Lincoln isn’t the only company taking value out of the lineup. Cadillac recently killed the CT4 and XT4, which means their base model is now the $46,595 XT5. While it’s cheaper than the smaller Corsair, the crossover is ancient and its replacement can’t come soon enough. However, when it finally arrives, it will likely be considerably more expensive.
Pricing for the CT5 has also soared as the model now starts at $52,220. Back when the sedan was launched, the 2020 model could be had for $37,890. To put that into perspective, the 2026 CT4 began at $37,795.
Needless to say, American luxury brands are no longer the value they once were. Do you think this is a mistake and should they keep entry-level models affordable? Let us know in the comments below.
