2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2020 Lincoln Corsair

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair was a testament to luxury, distinguishing itself from its Ford roots with unique body panels and trim pieces. Its design exuded refinement, with a low hood line, restrained chrome grille, and teardrop headlights that gave it a sophisticated appearance. The Corsair's tall roof gently sloped to a Land Rover-like edge, and its clamshell tailgate was reminiscent of the Audi Q5. The thin taillights with a connecting strip brought to mind the Porsche Cayenne, yet the Corsair maintained its own identity. Inside, the Corsair's dashboard was nearly as captivating as the Mercedes-Benz GLC's, featuring rich materials like curved matte-finish wood and leather with contrast stitching. Chrome trim adorned various elements, and the two-tone steering wheel included 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 the luxury vehicle it was designed to be.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid aimed to redefine the minivan's image with a more SUV-like appearance. Its wide grille and LED headlamp arrays gave it a sleek look, while the sculpted sliding side doors added an assertive stance. The Sienna's alloy wheels, available in various sizes and finishes, complemented its design. Inside, the Sienna emphasized width with horizontal lines, offering a higher seating position than a sedan. The dashboard was simple and uncluttered, with controls conveniently clustered below the infotainment screen. The center console featured a gear selector lever, cupholders, and a large storage compartment. The second and third rows provided ample comfort, with the second row sliding fore and aft for maximum utility. The Sienna's interior materials and surfaces had a quality feel, making it a pleasant space for passengers.

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, available only with all-wheel drive, shared a 295-hp, 310 lb-ft, 2.3-liter engine with the Mustang. While the transmission occasionally hiccupped in lower gears, it generally provided a smooth experience. The Corsair's steering lacked road feel, but its body control was impressive, offering a steady and composed ride. Adaptive dampers came standard with the 2.3T, enhancing the ride in Excite mode. 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. A plug-in hybrid trim, the Grand Touring, was anticipated to offer 266 hp and an electric range of over 25 miles.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid marked Toyota's first hybrid minivan, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors producing 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on all trims. The Sienna used an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which delivered power smoothly but blunted throttle response. Four selectable drive modes—Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport—offered varying levels of performance. The Sienna's handling improved over its predecessor, with minimal body roll and a comfortable ride. The big news was its impressive fuel economy, with FWD models achieving 36 mpg city, 36 highway, and 36 combined, while AWD models were rated at 35/36/35 mpg combined.

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair's interior was designed for comfort, with seat controls on the doors and a touchscreen offering massage settings. The Perfect Position seats provided 24 ways of adjustment, including separate extensions for each thigh. Rear passengers enjoyed sliding and reclining seats, with optional heated seats and a panoramic moonroof enhancing the experience. Cargo space was limited, with 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 58 when folded. The Sync 3 infotainment system was user-friendly, though some controls were less intuitive. The center console was spacious, with a sliding storage bin and a wireless phone charger in the center armrest.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna excelled in convenience, with a standard third-row 60/40-split bench that stored easily into the floor. The second row slid up to 25 inches, facilitating access to the third row. The cabin boasted 16 cupholders and ample storage cubbies. The Sienna could carry a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed, offering 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101.0 cubic feet behind the first row. The hybrid battery was cleverly tucked under the front seats, preserving cargo space. Power-operated sliding doors and tailgate responded to kick motions, a family-friendly feature.

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair offered the option to use a smartphone as an ignition key via the Lincoln Way app, though this feature was deactivated in the test vehicle. A hidden touchpad on the B-pillars allowed for keyless entry. The head-up display (HUD) was wide and informative, displaying directions and controls for the semi-automated driving feature. The instrument panel was minimalist, with limited customization options. Voice recognition and destination searches were fast and accurate, though software updates required an external WiFi connection.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna featured a nine-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. Standard connectivity included a year's trial of Safety Connect and Remote Connect, a ten-year trial of Service Connect, and a three-month trial of AT&T WiFi Connect. Audio systems ranged from a six-speaker stereo to a Premium Audio + JBL package with 12 speakers. A rear-seat entertainment system was available, with an 11.6-inch display, remote, and wireless headphones. The driver enjoyed a multi-information display and, in Platinum models, a 10-inch color Head-Up Display. Remote keyless entry and push-button start were standard, with the Smart Key System on higher trims.

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair had not been tested by the NHTSA, but the IIHS rated it a Top Safety Pick with top scores in all crash tests and for its forward emergency braking system. It lost the "+" designation due to poorer headlight scores. Co-Pilot360 came standard with various safety features, while Co-Pilot360 Plus added lane-keep assist and evasive steering assist. Rear side airbags and knee airbags for both driver and passenger were standard.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, with features like dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, and a pre-collision system. The Star Safety System was also standard, along with 10 airbags and LATCH connectors. A rear-seat reminder system and tire pressure monitoring system were included. The 2021 Sienna had not been crash-tested, but the 2020 model received good ratings from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.