2020 Lincoln Corsair vs 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair never felt like a Ford despite sharing its chassis and some powertrains with the Escape. It stood out with unique body panels and trim pieces exclusive to Lincoln. The Corsair exuded refinement with a low hood line, restrained chrome grille, and teardrop headlights. Its design cues borrowed from luxury SUVs like Jaguar and Audi, but the end result was uniquely Lincoln. The body sat low on optional 20-inch wheels, and the model name was elegantly integrated into the front doors.

Inside, the Corsair's dashboard was almost as riveting as the Mercedes-Benz GLC's. Rich materials like curved matte-finish wood and leather with contrast stitching adorned the cabin. The center stack appeared to float, and chrome trim added a touch of elegance. However, the lower portion of the dash was full of hard plastic, and the center console was matte black plastic. Despite these minor flaws, the Corsair felt like an expensive car with fashion-forward color combinations.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a mid-generation refresh, featuring new standard LED headlights and a hexagonal grille that gave it a more muscular aesthetic. The rear had an all-LED taillamp running the width of the model, with the Chrysler wing badge at its center. Six new wheel designs and the S Appearance Package, which included darkened features and black accents, were also introduced.

Inside, the Pacifica was designed with family life in mind. The seating was spacious, and the removal of armrests up front allowed for a feeling of togetherness. Storage space was ample, with a handy under-stack area for various items. Standard features included power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, and Stow 'n Go seats. The second- and third-row seats offered plenty of legroom, and the cargo area was spacious, making family travel a breeze.

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair offered two turbocharged 4-cylinder engines paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The 2.0T trim had a 2.0-liter engine with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive optional. The 2.3T trim, available only with all-wheel drive, featured a 2.3-liter engine shared with the Mustang, producing 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The Corsair's suspension provided steady composure at high speeds, and adaptive dampers came standard with the 2.3T trim. Fuel economy for the 2.3T was EPA-estimated at 21 mpg city, 28 highway, and 24 combined.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica came with either a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque or a V6 hybrid engine paired with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission, achieving 260 horsepower. The base Touring and Touring L trims came standard with the V6 engine, while the Limited and Pinnacle trims offered all-wheel drive or the hybrid powertrain. The AWD system activated on-demand and deactivated to improve fuel efficiency when not needed. The Pacifica Hybrid had an all-electric range of over 30 miles and a total range of over 500 miles, delivering 82 MPGe and 30 mpg combined. The traditional V6 Pacifica achieved 19 mpg city, 28 highway, and 22 combined, with AWD models slightly lower.

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair's interior was designed for comfort, with seat controls on the doors and a button for massage settings. The Perfect Position seats offered 24 ways of adjustment, and rear passengers could slide and recline their seats. 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 hard to access. The center console was roomy, with a sliding storage bin and a wireless phone charger in the center armrest.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was built with family life in mind, offering spacious seating and ample storage. The power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, and Stow 'n Go seats were standard. The second- and third-row seats provided plenty of legroom, and the cargo area was spacious, with the Pinnacle trim offering best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters. The under-console storage for second-row passengers was a practical addition, and the Stow 'n Go seats allowed for easy loading.

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair featured the option to use a smartphone as an ignition key through the Lincoln Way app, though this feature was deactivated in the test car. The head-up display was wide and info-rich, showing directions and controls for the semi-automated driving feature. The instrument panel could have offered more customization, but voice recognition and destination searches were fast and accurate. In-car WiFi was available, though software updates required an external WiFi connection.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica's Uconnect 5 infotainment system was modern and customizable, with a clean design and quick responsiveness. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the second-row in-seat entertainment system remained an option. The Pinnacle model featured FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with a rear-facing child seat view and zoom-to-seat feature. The sound system options included a six-speaker system, a 13-speaker Alpine system, and 19- and 20-speaker Harman Kardon systems, with the 20-speaker system providing a high-quality listening experience.

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair had not been tested by the NHTSA but 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 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 standard.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica came standard with 97 safety features, increasing to 100 in the Pinnacle trim. Key safety technologies included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist, rain-sensing wipers, automatic high beams, advanced brake assist, third-row lock out, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though the IIHS had not yet rated the model.