2020 Lincoln Corsair vs 2021 Lexus NX

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair had a distinct luxury feel, setting itself apart from its Ford roots. Despite sharing some components with the Ford Escape, the Corsair's unique body panels and trim pieces gave it a refined appearance. Its low hood line, restrained chrome grille, and teardrop headlights contributed to its elegant look. The tall roof gently sloped from the B-pillar, ending in a Land Rover-like edge, while the clamshell tailgate and thin taillights added to its sophisticated design. The interior featured rich materials, curved matte-finish wood, and chrome trim, creating a near-luxury experience, though some hard plastics and a tall dash detracted slightly from the overall feel.

The 2021 Lexus NX carried over familiar Lexus design elements, with sharp lines and a sculpted exterior reminiscent of the smaller UX and larger RX models. The NX 300 F Sport variant added sporty touches like a honeycomb grille, triple-beam LED headlights, and 18-inch F Sport wheels. Inside, the F Sport featured exclusive quilted NuLuxe sport seats and optional Circuit Red interior. The material fit and finish were excellent, with a gauge cluster familiar to Lexus drivers. However, the center stack's design appeared dated, and the G-Force meter, while interesting, felt gimmicky for a suburban SUV.

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, with AWD only, boasted a 2.3-liter engine producing 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The Corsair's suspension provided a steady and composed 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 achieved similar figures. A plug-in hybrid trim was also on the way, promising 266 horsepower and an electric range of over 25 miles.

The 2021 Lexus NX 300 and 300 F Sport were powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The NX accelerated from zero to 60 mph in around seven seconds, with FWD standard and AWD available. Fuel economy for the FWD model was EPA-estimated at 22 mpg city, 28 highway, and 25 combined, while the AWD variant achieved similar numbers. The NX F Sport featured an adaptive suspension system and three drive modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport. Despite its agility, the steering lacked feedback, and the overall driving experience leaned towards comfort rather than sportiness.

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair's interior was designed for comfort, with seat controls on the doors and a touchscreen 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 Lexus NX's interior was comfortable, with ample room for adults in both rows. Heated and ventilated seats were available, and the rear seats offered a 60/40 split-folding configuration. Cargo space was limited, with 17.7 cubic feet behind the second row and 54.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The NX featured a power liftgate with kick sensor technology and optional power-folding rear seats. Despite some engine noise, the cabin remained quiet, typical of a Lexus.

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair offered 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 hidden touchpad on the B-pillars allowed for keyless entry. The head-up display was wide and informative, and the Co-Pilot360 Plus system provided semi-automated driving assistance. The instrument panel, however, lacked customization options, and software updates required an external WiFi connection.

The 2021 Lexus NX featured an 8-inch touchscreen, with a 10.3-inch screen available in the Navigation package. The infotainment system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Lexus Enform Destination Assist. The system was not user-friendly, with functions buried deep in menus. Standard features included keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a WiFi hot spot. The Lexus Enform Remote app allowed for remote control of various functions, and the NX came with a standard eight-speaker audio system, with a Mark Levinson 14-speaker system available.

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair had not been tested by the NHTSA but received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. Standard safety features included Co-Pilot360 with forward emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, 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 Lexus NX came with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, including a rearview camera, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. Optional features included park assist and a surround-view camera system. The NX received top "Good" scores from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Lexus Enform Safety Connect provided emergency assistance and stolen-vehicle notification.