2021 Lincoln Corsair vs 2021 Honda Passport

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair, introduced as a replacement for the Lincoln MKC, was built on the new C2 platform shared with the Ford Escape. This model marked a significant departure from its predecessor, offering a more refined and distinct feel compared to its Ford counterpart. The Corsair's design was characterized by its slab sides, blacked-out rear pillars, and straight belt- and rooflines, which gave it a larger presence. Inside, the Corsair featured a flowing dash, a floating center touchscreen, and the signature "Piano Key" shifter buttons. However, the fit and finish did not quite match the more expensive Lincoln SUVs, with more hard-touch materials present. The Corsair was available in Standard, Reserve, and Grand Touring trims, with the Reserve trim offering additional luxury features such as a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 14-speaker Revel audio system.

The 2021 Honda Passport was essentially a shortened version of the Honda Pilot, featuring two rows of seats instead of three. Its styling closely mirrored that of the Pilot, both inside and out, including the shared "button shifter" design. Despite these similarities, the Passport offered a spacious interior with high-quality materials. Trim levels included Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite, with each level adding more features such as leather upholstery, a power moonroof, and advanced audio systems. The Passport's interior was designed for practicality, with ample storage space and a comfortable seating arrangement that provided excellent visibility and a commanding view of the road.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair offered a base 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. An optional 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine delivered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, providing strong acceleration. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the 2.0-liter available in FWD or AWD, while the 2.3-liter was exclusively AWD. The Corsair featured unique drive modes like "Conserve" and "Excite," enhancing the driving experience. The suspension was designed to absorb road imperfections, though some road noise was noticeable. The Grand Touring trim introduced a plug-in hybrid powertrain, combining a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with electric motors for a total of 266 horsepower, offering 28 miles of pure EV driving and 33 mpg combined in hybrid mode.

The 2021 Honda Passport came standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered FWD as standard, with optional AWD. The V6 provided strong acceleration, though the stop-start system could be abrupt. The Passport's ride was a blend of comfort and refined handling, with 8.1 inches of ground clearance and drive modes for various terrains. FWD models could tow up to 3,500 pounds, while AWD models could tow up to 5,000 pounds, making it a versatile choice for both commuting and light off-roading.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair featured a spacious cabin with comfortable seating and ample storage space. However, the design included a pronounced lip at the doorframe, which could be a tripping hazard. The rear seats were reclining and sliding, providing impressive legroom for a compact SUV. The Corsair offered 27.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 57.6 cubic feet with the seats folded, which was average for its class. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free option available.

The 2021 Honda Passport provided a generous 100.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 50.5 cubic feet with the second row in use. An additional 2.5 cubic feet was available in an under-floor storage tray. The EX-L trim included a power liftgate, while the Touring and Elite trims offered a hands-free version. The upright seating position ensured excellent visibility, and the interior featured practical storage solutions, including deep door pockets and a spacious center console. The rear seats offered ample headroom and legroom, with reclining and sliding capabilities for added comfort.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system running SYNC 3, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with a logical menu layout. The Reserve trim added wireless device charging, a 14-speaker Revel audio system, and a head-up display with crisp graphics.

For 2021, the Honda Passport made Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard with its 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While this was a positive move, the system's dated graphics and confusing menu layout were drawbacks. The inclusion of a volume dial was appreciated, though the overall audio interface lacked a tuning dial.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair came equipped with standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. The Lincoln CoPilot360 Plus suite added advanced driver aids like adaptive LED headlights and a surround-view camera. The Corsair earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus rating with the Reserve II package.

The 2021 Honda Passport offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and parking sensors. The Passport received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests, though it received "Acceptable" ratings for headlights and child-seat anchor ease of use.