2020 Lincoln Corsair vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair was a standout in the luxury compact SUV segment, exuding refinement and elegance. Unlike its Ford Escape sibling, the Corsair featured unique body panels and trim pieces, giving it a distinct identity. Its low hood line, restrained chrome grille, and teardrop headlights contributed to a sophisticated appearance. The J-shaped LED running lamps were reminiscent of a Jaguar, while the clamshell tailgate and thin taillights drew comparisons to the Audi Q5 and Porsche Cayenne, respectively. The Corsair's design was a confident statement, with "Lincoln" spelled out wide on the tailgate and the model name integrated into the front doors.

Inside, the Corsair's dashboard was nearly as captivating as the Mercedes-Benz GLC's, with rich materials and intricate details. The curved matte-finish wood on the dash, thick leather strip with contrast stitching, and floating center stack created a luxurious ambiance. Chrome trim adorned various controls, and the two-tone steering wheel featured thumb joysticks for easy operation. Despite some hard plastic on the lower dash and a matte black center console, the Corsair's interior felt expensive and fashion-forward.

The 2021 Honda CR-V, on the other hand, had a more utilitarian design, blending in with other compact crossovers. Its styling was nearly identical to its competitors, with only minor details like the grille opening and chromed plastic features setting it apart. The CR-V was available in eight colors, but most were shades of gray, black, or white, with only a few vibrant options limited to higher trims. The interior offered black, gray, and ivory cloth or leather, with wood panels and chrome accents on higher trims. The seats had a modern, angular design, but overall, the CR-V's styling was less distinctive compared to rivals like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.

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 front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). The 2.3T trim, exclusively AWD, boasted a 2.3-liter engine with 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. While the transmission occasionally hiccuped in lower gears, it generally provided smooth performance. The Corsair's suspension delivered a composed and rock-solid ride, even over dips and bumps, 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 achieved 21/29/24 and the FWD model 22/29/25.

The 2021 Honda CR-V came with a single 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine across all nine trims. It accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.8 seconds, which was competitive within its class. The CR-V's continuously variable transmission (CVT) provided smooth, steady acceleration but lacked engagement compared to rivals with conventional automatic transmissions. The CR-V offered FWD as standard, with AWD available as an option. Its suspension setup included a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear, delivering decent handling and ride quality. The CR-V's performance was adequate for daily driving, but it didn't stand out in terms of driving excitement.

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair's interior was designed for comfort and convenience. Seat controls were located on the doors, similar to Mercedes, and the Perfect Position seats offered 24 ways of adjustment, including separate extensions for each thigh. The rear seats could slide and recline, providing ample headroom and legroom. 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 the engine auto stop-start control was somewhat hidden. The center console was spacious, with a sliding storage bin and a wireless phone charger in the center armrest.

The 2021 Honda CR-V prioritized functionality, with 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 75.8 cubic feet of total cargo volume with the rear seats folded. The cargo area could be accessed manually on lower trims, with power and hands-free tailgate options on higher trims. Roof rails were standard only on the top Touring trim. The CR-V's interior was practical, with various storage compartments and a straightforward layout. It comfortably accommodated five passengers and their gear, making it a versatile choice for families.

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair offered advanced technology features, including the option to use a smartphone as an ignition key via the Lincoln Way app. The head-up display (HUD) was among the best in the industry, displaying a wealth of information. The Co-Pilot360 Plus system provided semi-automated driving assistance, though it could be overly cautious. The instrument panel was minimalist, with limited customization options. Voice recognition and destination searches were fast and accurate, and in-car WiFi was available, though software updates required an external WiFi connection.

The 2021 Honda CR-V's base LX trim had a basic 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth connectivity. Higher trims featured a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The audio system ranged from a 180-watt setup with six speakers on lower trims to a 300-watt system with a subwoofer on the Touring trim. Charging ports were plentiful, with USB ports in the front and second rows, and a wireless phone charger on the Touring trim. The Touring trim also offered a satellite navigation system with voice recognition.

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair had not been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) but received a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It scored well in all six crash tests and for its forward emergency braking system but lost the "+" designation due to headlight performance. 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 standard.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS. It missed the highest Top Safety Pick+ rating due to headlight performance and the updated side crash test. The CR-V's LATCH child safety seat anchoring system received an "Acceptable" rating. Honda's approach to safety was commendable, with the Honda Sensing system standard across all trims. This suite included a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high-beam headlamps. Blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard from the EX trim upwards.