The little Lincoln is better than ever before.

After a sudden teaser, Lincoln has updated its most popular product, the Corsair, for 2023. While subtle, the changes work together to make what was once an excellent SUV an even better one. While the overall shape remains the same, Ford's premium wing has given the Corsair a fresher front end, thanks to a more prominent grille and wing-shaped daytime running lamps.

The Grand Touring derivative receives several unique touches. Up front, the revised grille boasts a sundown metallic foil with blue accents. There's more scope for personalization, too, as customers will be privy to more wheel designs and two new exterior colors; Crystal Red and Whisper Blue.

"With the new Corsair we are offering a glimpse into Lincoln's new exterior design language and introducing new and more youthful colors and materials to offer more ways for our clients [to] make their vehicle their own," said Kemal Curic, global design director at Lincoln.

2023 Corsair models will also be made available with the Jet Appearance Package, which provides a sportier look.

The interior benefits from a slew of enhancements. The old infotainment has been replaced with a 13.2-inch horizontal touchscreen with Sync4 technology and Lincoln Enhance software updates. The system is bolstered by the standard 12.3-inch digital instrument panel.

Buyers get three years of complimentary access to Alexa Built-in hands-free services. But the most important addition, technology-wise, has to be the introduction of ActiveGlide 1.2. For the 2023 model year, Corsair models will come equipped with lane change assist, a lane-keep function, intersection assist, and predictive speed assist.

Optionally, would-be Corsair owners can elect to equip the Corsair with Auto Air Refresh. A laser sensor and a cabin air filter ensure occupants are receiving clean air in the vehicle. The manufacturer claims the system can refresh air up to 1.5 times per minute.

"We want the drive experience to be even more effortless and personal and the new Corsair will deliver that with advanced technology and new features," said Michael Sprague, the company's North America director.

In terms of cabin design, the 2023 Corsair will be offered with two new interior themes - Smoked Truffle and Eternal Red. Where Smoked Truffle should provide a "warm and embracing" interior ambiance, Eternal Red is aimed at a more youthful audience.

The crimson leather interior is paired exclusively with Pista aluminum inlays. "Color plays a major role in complementing Corsair's beautiful design," said color and materials designer, Liam Butler. "Refreshing colors and themes create an ambiance that shifts the [interior's mood], creating a warm environment and a luxurious experience [...] uniquely Lincoln."

Elsewhere, the dashboard has been subtly redesigned to provide more practicality. There's a new backlit applique that illuminates and provides the company's signature constellation effect.

Despite retaining a slightly old-fashioned elegance, it's clear that the brand is making strides in appealing to a younger crowd. "[The Corsair is] artistically crafted and expertly designed to attract younger Lincoln clients and give them the luxury experience they desire," added Sprague.

There are two engine options - a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 250 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque and a plug-in hybrid model. Together with the electric motor, the 2.5-liter mill provides a combined output of 266 hp. Torque figures are still to be revealed.

Whereas the ICE variant uses an eight-speed auto to send power to the wheels (FWD and AWD are available), the PHEV relies on a CVT to channel power to all four wheels. Gas mileage figures are not available, but Lincoln says both models can tow up to 3,000 lbs - below the segment's best.

Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Conserve drive modes are available on both models, but the electrified variant receives two additional modes; Preserve EV and Pure EV, which either save battery power or solely rely on it, respectively.

Order books for the 2023 Corsair are already open, with the first models arriving early next year. We don't expect pricing to increase drastically, so anticipate a starting price of $37,000 - $38,000.

After wandering onto the wrong career path, Jarryd quickly abandoned his legal studies to pursue a career in journalism. An internship at a leading motoring magazine nurtured his love for reporting and prepared him for the world of finance and investment writing. Thrilling as it was, Jarryd's first love has always been motoring, and joining CarBuzz in 2022 put him back where he belongs - covering the latest automotive news and events. In his spare time, he trawls the classifieds for cheap (and ruinous) classic luxury sedans or simply cruises around in his own aging German luxobarge.