2020 Lincoln Corsair vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair never felt like a Ford despite sharing its chassis and some powertrains with the Escape. It had a unique design with every body panel and trim piece exclusive to Lincoln. The Corsair exuded refinement with a low hood line, restrained chrome grille, and teardrop headlights. Its J-shaped LED running lamps resembled those of a Jaguar, while the clamshell tailgate and thin taillights with a connecting strip were reminiscent of an Audi Q5 and Porsche Cayenne, respectively. The Corsair's body sat low on optional 20-inch wheels, and the model name was integrated into the front doors, making it unique and elegant.

Inside, the Corsair's dashboard was almost as riveting as the Mercedes-Benz GLC's. Rich materials and details, such as curved matte-finish wood and chrome trim, adorned the cabin. The center stack appeared to float in the air, and the two-tone steering wheel featured 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 an expensive car with fashion-forward color combinations.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, shared its side glass and overall footprint with the Ford Expedition but felt entirely unique. The Navigator Reserve, priced at $92,000, exuded elegance and understatement despite its massive size. Rectilinear shapes defined its grille, windows, headlights, and taillights, with splashes of chrome for a classy touch. The Pristine White example with a white-painted grille, black wheels, and illuminated Lincoln logo was perfect for winter testing. The Navigator's light show when locking or unlocking the remote added a touch of sophistication.

Inside, the Navigator impressed with seven color palettes and finer details like layered wood trim and a floating center console. The minimalist digital instrument panel and high-quality materials made the interior feel modern and luxurious. Black Label trims offered even more textures and softer leather. The Perfect Position seats, with 30-way adjustments, provided unparalleled comfort. While the Navigator's ride wasn't as supple as the Escalade's, its low-end thrust and quiet cabin made it a refined and powerful choice for highway driving.

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 front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive optional. The 2.3T trim, with a 2.3-liter engine producing 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, came with all-wheel drive only. The Corsair's engines were torque-happy, but the 2.3T engine was loud when downshifting with paddles. The Corsair's suspension provided steady composure at high speeds, feeling more German than American. Adaptive dampers were standard with the 2.3T, but the overall driving experience wasn't sporty. Fuel economy for the 2.3T was EPA-estimated at 21 mpg city, 28 highway, and 24 combined, with the 2.0T AWD rated at 21/29/24 and the FWD model at 22/29/25.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbo V6 engine from the Ford Raptor, producing 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Navigator offered rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The 4WD system was smooth and responsive, with a towing capacity of 8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models. Fuel economy was poor, averaging in the teens, with an EPA-estimated 17 mpg combined (16 city, 20 highway). The Navigator's suspension felt rudimentary compared to the Escalade's, and the steering and brakes lacked the precision of its competitors. However, the Navigator's low-end thrust and quiet cabin made it a refined and powerful choice for highway driving.

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair offered a comfortable interior with seat controls on the doors and five massage settings on the touchscreen. The Perfect Position seats provided 24 ways of adjustment, and rear passengers could slide and recline their seats. Cargo space was 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 58 when folded. The Sync 3 infotainment system was easy to use, but the engine auto stop-start control was hard to access. The digital instrument panel was crowded, but the center console was roomy with a sliding storage bin and wireless phone charger.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator had ample space for six adults, with a possible total of eight passengers with an optional bench. Cargo space was 19 cubic feet behind the third row, 57 behind the second, and 103 in total. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more storage. The rear glass opened separately from the tailgate, and the second row had an optional console with integrated climate and stereo controls. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with large windows and a high driving position for good visibility. Parking was challenging, but the 360-degree cameras helped.

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair offered the option to use a smartphone as an ignition key through the Lincoln Way app, but this feature was deactivated during testing. The hidden touchpad on the B-pillars allowed for easy access. The head-up display was wide and info-rich, and the Co-Pilot360 Plus advanced safety system provided semi-automated driving. The instrument panel was minimalist, and voice recognition was fast and accurate. In-car WiFi was available, but software updates required an external WiFi connection.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's 10-inch touchscreen felt small compared to newer models, and the instrument panel couldn't show full-screen maps. The cameras were low-resolution, and the infotainment system couldn't wirelessly connect to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. However, the software was intuitive, and voice recognition was fast and accurate. The Navigator offered onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, a smartwatch app, and the ability to use a smartphone as an ignition key. The rear entertainment system included Roku media streaming and other connections.

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair had not been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated it a Top Safety Pick. It received the best scores in all six crash tests and for its forward emergency braking system. Co-Pilot360 came standard with various safety features, and Co-Pilot360 Plus added more advanced functionalities. Rear side airbags and knee airbags for both driver and passenger were standard.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received five stars overall from the NHTSA, with four stars for rollover resistance in 4WD models and three stars for RWD models. The IIHS had not rated the Navigator. Knee airbags were not offered, but inflatable rear seat belts for the second row were optional. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control was optional.