2020 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 Lincoln Corsair

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, part of its third generation, had been around since 2011 and received a refresh in 2018. Despite these updates, the 2020 model still felt somewhat dated, with occasional upscale touches overshadowed by its overall aged design. The hollow "thud" of the front doors and the simplistic instrument panel, reminiscent of Toyota's 2010 parts bin, highlighted its age. However, this simplicity also made the controls user-friendly. The Sienna offered a range of trims, from the well-equipped base L to the luxurious Limited Premium, each adding features like power sliding doors, leather upholstery, and a power rear liftgate. The Nightshade Edition added a touch of style with dark accents and wheels.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair replaced the Lincoln MKC, offering a fresh take on the compact luxury SUV segment. Built on the new C2 platform shared with the Ford Escape, the Corsair distinguished itself with a refined design and a departure from Lincoln's previous lettered naming convention. Its exterior featured sleek lines and shared design cues with larger Lincoln models, giving it a commanding presence. Inside, the Corsair's cabin boasted a flowing dash and a floating center touchscreen, though it lacked the fit and finish of its more expensive siblings. The Corsair offered trims like Standard, Reserve, and the Grand Touring plug-in hybrid, each equipped with features like a power liftgate, premium audio systems, and advanced seating options.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 296 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque through an 8-speed automatic transmission. It offered a Sport mode for enhanced throttle and shift response, and a manual mode for towing up to 3,500 pounds. The Sienna's front-wheel-drive (FWD) configuration provided the best fuel economy, with 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while the all-wheel-drive (AWD) option, available on all trims except the base L, offered 18/24/20 mpg. Despite its size, the Sienna handled well, with a low center of gravity and broad base, though its steering response was twitchy at higher speeds.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair featured a base 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. An optional 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine offered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, paired exclusively with AWD. Both engines used an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Corsair's drive modes, like "Conserve" and "Excite," provided a unique driving experience, with the 2.3-liter engine offering brisk acceleration. The Corsair handled confidently, with a suspension designed to absorb road imperfections, though it exhibited some body roll in turns. The Grand Touring trim introduced a plug-in hybrid powertrain, combining a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with electric motors for a combined 266 horsepower and 28 miles of pure EV driving.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna excelled in cargo space, offering 150 cubic feet, surpassing competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey. However, accessing this space required removing the second-row seats, which could be cumbersome with the bench option. The third row folded seamlessly into the floor, but getting into the backseat was challenging due to the awkward folding mechanism of the second-row seats. Toyota also offered mobility access features, such as the Auto Access Seat, making the Sienna a practical choice for those needing accessibility options.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair provided a spacious cabin with comfortable seating and ample storage. However, the pronounced lip at the doorframe posed a tripping hazard when entering or exiting. The reclining and sliding rear seats offered impressive legroom, making the Corsair suitable for road trips. Cargo space measured 27.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 57.6 cubic feet with them folded, average for its class. The Corsair came standard with a power liftgate, with a hands-free option available.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system across all trims, supporting Amazon Alexa and Apple CarPlay. Standard tech included Bluetooth connectivity, five USB ports, and a WiFi hotspot with a 6-month trial. Higher trims, like the Limited, added navigation and a JBL premium audio system. The Driver Easy Speak intercom system allowed the driver to communicate with rear passengers without raising their voice.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair came with an 8-inch touchscreen running the SYNC 3 infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Reserve trim added wireless device charging, a 14-speaker Revel audio system, and a head-up display (HUD) with crisp graphics. The steering wheel design improved accessibility to voice controls, enhancing the overall user experience.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna included the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) suite, featuring lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and dynamic cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring was optional on lower trims and standard on XLE and Limited trims. The Sienna earned five stars from the NHTSA and a "Good" rating from the IIHS in various crash tests, with its driver-assistance features rated "Superior."

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair offered standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. The Lincoln CoPilot360 Plus suite added advanced features like adaptive LED headlights, surround-view cameras, and reverse automatic braking. The Corsair was an IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus when equipped with high-feature headlights.