2021 Lexus RX vs 2021 Lincoln Corsair

The 2021 Lexus RX showcased a modern design aesthetic with its large grille, angular headlamps, shapely body, and floating roof. Inside, it featured sumptuous seating with perforated leather upholstery, though the center console design was considered bland. Lexus offered the RX in five variants: RX, RX F Sport, RXL, RX Hybrid, and RXL Hybrid, each catering to different needs, from base models to performance-focused and extended body versions. The 2021 model retained the elongated headlights and refined front-end design introduced in 2020, which aimed to address previous criticisms. Standard exterior features included 18-inch aluminum wheels, LED lighting, and rear privacy glass, with available upgrades like 20-inch wheels and triple-beam LED headlights. The interior boasted standard features such as NuLuxe-trimmed seats and a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, with options for semi-aniline leather upholstery and heated seats. However, the center console's dated appearance and the infotainment system's functionality were points of contention.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair, introduced as a replacement for the MKC, rode on the new C2 platform shared with the Ford Escape. This new platform allowed Lincoln to differentiate the Corsair from its Ford counterpart, achieving a level of refinement that General Motors struggled to match with its Cadillac XT4 and XT5. The Corsair's design featured slab sides, blacked-out rear pillars, and straight belt- and rooflines, giving it a larger appearance. Inside, the Corsair shared design elements with the Aviator and Navigator, including a flowing dash and floating center touchscreen. However, the fit and finish were not as high as in the more expensive Lincoln SUVs, with more hard-touch materials present. The Corsair was available in Standard, Reserve, and the new Grand Touring plug-in hybrid trims, each offering a range of features from 18-inch alloy wheels and synthetic leather upholstery to a 14-speaker Revel premium stereo system and panoramic moonroof.

The 2021 Lexus RX, RXL, and RX F-Sport were powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The RX Hybrid and RXL Hybrid models combined a 3.5-liter V6 with three electric motors, producing 308 horsepower managed by an electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT). The front-wheel-drive RX 350 achieved 20 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined, while the all-wheel-drive versions and RXL models saw slightly lower fuel economy. The RX Hybrid models offered 29-31 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The RX's suspension and handling adjustments made it more dynamic, with the F Sport Handling package adding adaptive variable suspension and other performance features. The RX's top speed was limited to 124 mph, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.7-7.9 seconds, depending on the drivetrain.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair's base engine was a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder unit producing 250 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. An optional 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine offered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, exclusively paired with all-wheel drive. Both engines used an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Corsair featured unique drive modes like "Conserve" and "Excite," with the latter providing a sportier driving experience. The 2.3-liter engine offered brisk acceleration and confident cornering, though there was some body roll and light steering. The suspension was designed to absorb deeper potholes, resulting in some road noise. The new Grand Touring trim combined a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a CVT, battery power, and two electric motors, producing 266 horsepower and offering 28 miles of pure EV driving and 78 MPGe in electric mode.

The 2021 Lexus RX was a highly functional SUV, seating five in the two-row RX 350, RX F-Sport, and RX 450h models, and six or seven in the three-row RXL and RXL Hybrid models. Front-seat occupants enjoyed ample space, while the second row was comfortable for adults. The third row in the RXL models was tight for any age group. Cargo space in the two-row RX was 18.4 cubic feet behind the second row and 56.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The three-row versions offered 7.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 23 cubic feet behind the second row, and 58.5 cubic feet with both rows folded. The RX's cargo space was less than that of similarly sized vehicles like the Nissan Murano and Honda CR-V. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free liftgate available.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair featured a spacious cabin with comfortable seats and ample storage space. However, the pronounced lip when stepping in or out of the vehicle was a notable downside, potentially causing tripping hazards. The test model's reclining and sliding rear seats made the second row very comfortable, with impressive legroom for a compact SUV. The Corsair offered 27.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 57.6 cubic feet with the seats folded, which was average for the segment. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free power liftgate available.

The 2021 Lexus RX came standard with dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, voice recognition, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, HD Radio, a WiFi hot spot, six USB ports, and a nine-speaker sound system. Available upgrades included a 12.3-inch touchscreen, additional USB ports, a moonroof, a panoramic roof, wireless charging, navigation, a 12-speaker audio system, and a 15-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound system. The touch aspect of the infotainment screen worked well, but the operating system was not the easiest to use. The Remote Touch controller took up valuable center console space and was less refined than competitors' systems. The RX did not offer wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system running the SYNC 3 system, featuring a logical menu layout and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The steering wheel design allowed for easy access to voice control. The Reserve test model included optional wireless device charging, a 14-speaker Revel premium audio system, and a head-up display with crisp graphics.

The 2021 Lexus RX received the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation, scoring Good marks on crashworthiness tests. The RXL and RXL Hybrid's longer body might impact crashworthiness, but they were not tested by IIHS. The NHTSA rated the RX 350, RX 350L, and RX 450h with four out of five stars overall and five stars for side-impact crashworthiness. Standard safety features included a rearview camera, 10 airbags, enhanced vehicle stability control, blind-spot monitoring, and Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which offered a suite of driver-assist technologies. The RX lacked hands-off piloting-like software found in some competitors. There were two complete sets of LATCH connectors in the rear outboard seats.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair came standard with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. The test model featured Lincoln CoPilot360 Plus, which included adaptive LED headlights, surround-view parking cameras, front parking sensors, speed-limit sign recognition, stop-and-go adaptive cruise control, reverse automatic braking, and automatic parking assist. The Corsair was an IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus when equipped with high-feature headlights.