2020 Lincoln Corsair vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair was a standout in the luxury compact SUV segment. Despite sharing its chassis and some powertrains with the Ford Escape, the Corsair never felt like a Ford. Every body panel and trim piece was unique to Lincoln, exuding refinement with a low hood line, restrained chrome grille, and teardrop headlights. The J-shaped LED running lamps were reminiscent of a Jaguar, while the clamshell tailgate and thin taillights echoed the elegance of an Audi Q5 and Porsche Cayenne, respectively. The Corsair's body sat low on optional 20-inch wheels, and the model name was subtly integrated into the front doors, adding to its unique and elegant appearance.

Inside, the Corsair's dashboard was nearly as captivating as the Mercedes-Benz GLC's, featuring rich materials like curved matte-finish wood and leather with contrast stitching. The center stack appeared to float, adorned with chrome trim and toggle switches. The two-tone steering wheel included thumb joysticks for controlling the stereo and digital instrument panel. Despite some hard plastic on the lower dash and a matte black center console, the Corsair felt like the expensive car it was, with fashion-forward color combinations enhancing its luxurious feel.

The 2020 Honda CR-V, in its fifth generation, had a familiar and fun design. Its curvy, car-like lines and family resemblance to Honda's sedans made it a modern family transportation staple. However, the interior was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery clashing with low-quality plastics. This reminded drivers that the CR-V, even in its pricier versions, was an upgraded commodity car rather than a truly premium product.

The CR-V's base model started at an MSRP of $26,270, with four trim levels available: LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring. Each trim offered a three-year or 36,000-mile warranty, with AWD as a $1,500 option. Standard 17-inch alloy wheels, fabric seating in lower trims, and a retractable moonroof in all but the LX trim were some of the features. The CR-V's car-like demeanor extended to its low-profile roof rails, available only on the top-of-the-line Touring model.

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair offered two turbocharged 4-cylinder engines paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The 2.0T trim featured a 2.0-liter engine with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, with FWD standard and AWD optional. The 2.3T trim, available only with AWD, shared a 295-hp, 310 lb-ft, 2.3-liter engine with the Mustang. Despite some noise when downshifting, the Corsair provided a smooth and comfortable ride, with adaptive dampers standard on the 2.3T trim. Fuel economy for the 2.3T was EPA-estimated at 21 mpg city, 28 highway, and 24 combined, while the 2.0T AWD was rated at 21/29/24, and the FWD model at 22/29/25.

The 2020 Honda CR-V simplified its lineup by replacing the previous 2.4-liter engine with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a CVT, the CR-V felt quick, especially in Sport mode. Its car-like road manners, nimble handling, and low curb weight of 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model contributed to its excellent performance. The CR-V's fuel economy was impressive, with FWD models rated at 30 mpg combined and AWD models at 29 mpg, making it one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles in its class.

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair's interior was designed for comfort, with seat controls on the doors and five massage settings accessible via the touchscreen. The Perfect Position seats offered 24 ways of adjustment, and rear passengers could slide and recline their seats. Optional heated rear seats and a panoramic moonroof added to the comfort. Cargo space was 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 58 cubic feet when folded. The Sync 3 infotainment system was user-friendly, though the engine auto stop-start control was somewhat hidden. The center console was roomy, with a sliding storage bin and a wireless phone charger in the center armrest.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in packaging, offering a roomy cabin with excellent head- and legroom. The center console featured a deep well with a sliding cover, inspired by the Odyssey minivan. The rear had a two-position load floor, allowing for 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats folded. The door pockets were spacious, and the overall design made the CR-V easy to live with, accommodating various storage needs.

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair offered advanced technology, including the option to use a smartphone as an ignition key via the Lincoln Way app. The hidden touchpad on the B-pillars allowed for keyless entry. The HUD was wide and info-rich, displaying directions and controls for the semi-automated driving feature. The instrument panel, however, could have offered more customization. Voice recognition and destination searches were fast and accurate, and in-car WiFi was available, though software updates required an external WiFi connection.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age, with a 5-inch screen standard on the LX trim and a 7-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available only with the larger screen, and the navigation system was limited to the Touring trim. However, the CR-V offered plenty of USB ports, with two in the front and two high-powered ports in the backseat. The Touring trim also included a wireless phone charger.

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair had not been tested by the NHTSA, but the IIHS rated it a Top Safety Pick with the best scores in all six crash tests and for its forward emergency braking system. Co-Pilot360 came standard with various safety features, including forward emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. Co-Pilot360 Plus added lane-keep assist, evasive steering assist, and rear emergency braking. Rear side airbags and knee airbags for both driver and passenger were standard.

The 2020 Honda CR-V included the Honda Sensing system as standard, offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control. EX trims and above added blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic monitoring. The CR-V earned five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with the Touring trim's LED headlights improving nighttime visibility. NHTSA issued one safety recall for the CR-V for a possible rear subframe failure, affecting 358 vehicles.