2020 Lincoln Corsair vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was a stylish addition to the Range Rover family, positioned between the compact Evoque and the larger Range Rover. Its design was neither too sleek nor too boxy, striking a balance with its low roof and steeply-raked windshield, which gave it a unique profile compared to the traditional upright Range Rover. The Velar's broad front end maintained the intimidating presence typical of Land Rovers, while its short overhangs improved off-road capabilities. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sportier elements, such as larger air intakes and quad exhaust tips, enhancing its aggressive look. Inside, the Velar featured high-quality leather and metal trim, creating a luxurious and cockpit-like feel, with a focus on a more immersive driving experience.

In contrast, the 2020 Lincoln Corsair exuded refinement and elegance, distinguishing itself from its Ford roots. Its design featured a low hood line and a restrained chrome grille, complemented by teardrop headlights and J-shaped LED running lamps reminiscent of luxury brands like Jaguar. The Corsair's tall roof gently sloped to a Land Rover-like edge, while the clamshell tailgate and thin taillights added a touch of sophistication. The interior boasted rich materials, with a dashboard that nearly rivaled the Mercedes-Benz GLC. The Corsair's cabin was adorned with curved matte-finish wood, leather with contrast stitching, and chrome trim, creating a luxurious and comfortable environment. Despite some minor design flaws, the Corsair's interior felt expensive and fashion-forward.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar saw a significant performance boost with the introduction of the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, which featured a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine producing 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, allowed the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of 177 mph. Despite its impressive power, the Velar's performance was not as dominant as some competitors, and its chassis felt less sharp on tight roads. The Velar's off-road capabilities were supported by Land Rover's Terrain Response system, although its single-speed transfer case limited its off-road prowess compared to other models.

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair offered two turbocharged four-cylinder engines, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 2.0T trim featured a 2.0-liter engine with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, while the 2.3T trim boasted a 2.3-liter engine with 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The Corsair's driving experience was characterized by smoothness and comfort, with adaptive dampers providing a steady and composed ride. While not particularly sporty, the Corsair excelled in delivering a comfortable and quiet driving experience. Fuel economy was competitive, with the 2.3T achieving an EPA-estimated 21 mpg city, 28 highway, and 24 combined.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar occupied a unique position in terms of size, being larger than small luxury SUVs but smaller than midsize counterparts. However, this did not translate to more interior space, as competitors like the Mercedes-Benz GLC and BMW X3 offered more legroom and headroom. The Velar's cargo space was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. The interior design, while stylish, created a cramped feeling, and visibility was hindered by the chopped roof and tall hood. Towing capacity was respectable, with the V6 and SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition models capable of towing up to 5,511 pounds.

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair provided a comfortable and spacious interior, with seat controls conveniently located on the doors. The Perfect Position seats offered 24 ways of adjustment, ensuring a comfortable driving position. Rear passengers enjoyed ample headroom and legroom, with the ability to slide and recline the seats. Cargo space was on the smaller side, with 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 58 cubic feet when folded. The Sync 3 infotainment system was user-friendly, although some controls were less intuitive. The center console offered generous storage space, and the wireless phone charger was conveniently located in the center armrest.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, which included dual 10.0-inch touchscreens, a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The upper screen handled smartphone, navigation, and media functions, while the lower screen managed vehicle settings and climate control. While the system boasted high-quality graphics, its slow response times were a drawback. Additional tech features included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls.

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair offered innovative technology, including the option to use a smartphone as an ignition key via the Lincoln Way app. The head-up display was one of the widest and most informative in the industry, providing directions and controls for the semi-automated driving feature. The Co-Pilot360 Plus system offered advanced safety features, although the instrument panel lacked customization options. Voice recognition and destination searches were fast and accurate, and in-car WiFi was available, although software updates required an external WiFi connection.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, as low-volume luxury vehicles were a low priority for crash testing. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and front and rear parking aids. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available as part of an option package. However, Land Rover's driver-assist offerings were less sophisticated compared to competitors, with only lane-keep assist available.

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with the best scores in all six crash tests and for its forward emergency braking system. Co-Pilot360 came standard with a suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring. Co-Pilot360 Plus added lane-keep assist with semi-automated functionality, evasive steering assist, and rear emergency braking. The Corsair also featured rear side airbags and knee airbags for both driver and passenger.