2022 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Lincoln Corsair

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair was introduced as a replacement for the outdated Lincoln MKC. The MKC, which debuted in 2014, shared its platform with the Ford Escape but lacked the athleticism and modern cabin of its counterpart. Even after a 2019 facelift, the MKC's interior felt dated. The Corsair, built on the new C2 platform like the latest Escape, marked a significant improvement. Lincoln successfully differentiated the Corsair from its Ford sibling, a feat General Motors struggled to achieve with its Cadillac XT4 and XT5. The Corsair's refined design, with slab sides, blacked-out rear pillars, and straight belt- and rooflines, gave it a larger presence. Inside, the Corsair featured a flowing dash, floating center touchscreen, and "Piano Key" shifter buttons, though it didn't match the fit and finish of pricier Lincoln SUVs.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator received subtle styling updates, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs, with a 20-inch design now standard. The front end was restyled, featuring an Audi-esque grille that some felt lacked the previous model's elegance. Despite this, the Navigator's interior continued to impress with quality materials and a mid-century modern design. The new Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme added a touch of sophistication. The Navigator also introduced a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen, enhancing its tech appeal. Available in standard and long-wheelbase styles, the Navigator offered Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims, with the Black Label featuring luxurious touches like heated, ventilated, and massaging second-row captain's chairs.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair offered two engine options: a base 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder with 250 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder with 295 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 2.0-liter engine could be configured with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), while the 2.3-liter was exclusively AWD. The Corsair featured unique drive modes like "Conserve" and "Excite," with the latter providing a sportier driving experience. The 2.3-liter engine delivered brisk acceleration and confident cornering, though there was some body roll. The suspension absorbed potholes well, though road noise was noticeable. The Grand Touring trim added a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a combined 266 hp, offering 28 miles of pure EV driving and 78 MPGe in electric mode.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator retained its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD), the Navigator boasted a towing capacity between 8,100 and 8,700 pounds, depending on configuration. The adaptive-damping suspension, updated with Road Preview, identified and adjusted for road imperfections. The new electronic brake booster improved brake pedal feel and response. During testing, the Navigator handled various driving conditions, including snow and mud, with ease, thanks to its 4WD system and 9.7 inches of ground clearance. The Navigator's fuel economy was rated at 18 mpg combined for the 4WD model, and it averaged 18.6 mpg during testing.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair featured a spacious cabin with comfortable seats and ample storage space. However, the large 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 provided impressive second-row legroom, making it suitable for road trips. 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 2022 Lincoln Navigator's interior continued to impress with its 30-way power-adjustable front seats, offering heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain's chairs, also heated, ventilated, and massaging, provided exceptional comfort. The third-row seat remained roomy and supportive, thanks to the independent rear suspension design. The Navigator offered generous storage and cargo space, with 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row (34.3 cubic feet for the long-wheelbase Navigator L). Folding the third row increased cargo volume to 57.5 cubic feet (73.3 in Navigator L), and with the second row collapsed, it offered 103.3 cubic feet (120.2 in Navigator L).

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

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen, offering dual data panels for navigation and music details. Physical controls for volume, stereo tuning, and climate functions were retained, with clear markings for ease of use. Sync 4 supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with a user-friendly interface. The voice recognition system was improved but not perfect. The upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system included Amazon Fire TV, providing access to streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime. The test vehicle also featured a new 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system, delivering exceptional sound quality.

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 included the Lincoln CoPilot360 Plus suite, adding 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 earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus rating when equipped with high-feature headlights.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. A surround-view camera system became standard. Intersection Assist could automatically brake during unsafe movements, while Road Edge Detection steered the SUV away from road edges. Active Park Assist 2.0 handled parking maneuvers, and ActiveGlide provided semi-autonomous, hands-free driving on approved highways. During testing, ActiveGlide performed well but required driver attention for safety.