2020 Lincoln Corsair vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair was a standout in the luxury SUV segment, never feeling like a Ford despite sharing some components with the Escape. Its unique body panels and trim pieces, combined with a refined design featuring a low hood line, restrained chrome grille, and teardrop headlights, gave it a distinct and elegant appearance. The Corsair borrowed design cues from leading luxury SUVs but maintained its own identity with features like the clamshell tailgate and thin taillights connected by a strip, reminiscent of a Porsche Cayenne. The interior was equally impressive, with rich materials, a curved matte-finish wood dash, and a floating center stack adorned with chrome trim and toggle switches.

In contrast, the 2021 Buick Enclave aimed to recapture the brand's former glory with a big, shiny, and impressive design. The Enclave was the largest of Buick's four SUVs, offering a commanding presence with its unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels in the Avenir trim. Inside, the Enclave Avenir featured organic forms, a minimalist approach to instrumentation, and tasteful polished accents. The seats were wrapped in soft, perforated leather, and the wood trim, though not real, added to the luxurious feel. The Enclave's simplicity extended to its controls, with the only drawback being the fussy electronic transmission shifter.

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, available in both FWD and AWD. The 2.3T trim, exclusively AWD, shared a 295-hp, 310 lb-ft, 2.3-liter engine with the Mustang. While the transmission occasionally hiccuped in lower gears, it generally provided a smooth driving experience. The Corsair's suspension offered steady composure at high speeds, feeling more German than American. Fuel economy for the 2.3T was EPA-estimated at 21 mpg city, 28 highway, and 24 combined, with the 2.0T AWD rated similarly. A plug-in hybrid trim, the Grand Touring, was also on the way, promising an electric range of over 25 miles.

The 2021 Buick Enclave, on the other hand, featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Available in both FWD and AWD, the Enclave offered strong acceleration and a maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping, part of the Avenir Technology Package, provided a sensational ride across various driving environments. The Enclave's fuel economy was EPA-rated at 21 mpg combined, with a 21.7-gallon fuel tank allowing for up to 460 miles of travel on a full tank.

Inside the 2020 Lincoln Corsair, comfort was paramount. The Perfect Position seats offered 24 ways of adjustment, including separate extensions for each thigh, and featured massage settings. The driving position was airy with good sightlines, and rear passengers enjoyed sliding and reclining seats with optional heated seats and a panoramic moonroof. 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, though some controls were less intuitive.

The 2021 Buick Enclave excelled in interior space, comfortably seating six people (seven if needed). The Avenir trim featured 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seats with massaging functions, heated and ventilated front seats, and a stylish center console with ample storage. The Enclave's third-row seat was genuinely useful, with easy access through the large rear doors and between the captain’s chairs. Cargo space was commendable, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 58 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 97.6 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair offered advanced technology, including the option to use a smartphone as an ignition key through the Lincoln Way app. The head-up display (HUD) was among the widest and most info-rich in the industry, displaying various information including directions and semi-automated driving controls. The Sync 3 infotainment system featured fast and accurate voice recognition and destination searches, though software updates required an external WiFi connection.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations with quick response times, good voice recognition, and a simple user interface. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and USB charging ports in all three rows. However, the 8-inch touchscreen was the largest available, and the 10-speaker Bose sound system was underwhelming compared to competitors. The rear camera mirror was a neat feature, providing a live video view of what’s behind the Enclave.

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair was rated a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, with the best scores in all six crash tests and for its forward emergency braking system. Standard safety features included Co-Pilot360 with forward emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, auto high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning. 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 also standard.

The 2021 Buick Enclave needed improvement in its safety systems, with many features restricted to higher trims. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, standard on Premium and Avenir trims, included forward-collision warning, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. Adaptive cruise control with enhanced automatic emergency braking was only available with the Avenir Technology Package. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though frontal-impact protection rated four stars. The IIHS gave high marks across the board, but a Marginal headlight performance rating prevented it from earning a Top Safety Pick accolade.