Cadillac Escalade ESV vs Lincoln Corsair

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was an extended version of the standard Escalade, featuring a complete redesign for the model year. It was notably longer than the regular Escalade, measuring 226.9 inches compared to 211.9 inches, with a slightly lower height. This additional length was primarily at the rear, enhancing cargo space. The wheelbase was also extended to 134.1 inches, improving stability and design proportions, giving it a more balanced appearance. The Escalade ESV boasted a luxurious exterior with chrome styling on certain trims and blacked-out accents on others, all riding on 22-inch wheels. Despite its upscale exterior, the interior fell short of expectations, with hard plastics and a lack of unique dashboard trimmings, which was disappointing for a vehicle priced near or above $90,000.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair, introduced as a replacement for the Lincoln MKC, was built on the new C2 platform shared with the Ford Escape. It successfully differentiated itself from its Ford counterpart, offering a refined design with slab sides and blacked-out rear pillars. The Corsair's cabin shared design elements with more expensive Lincoln SUVs, featuring a flowing dash and "Piano Key" shifter buttons. However, it lacked the same fit and finish, with more hard-touch materials. The Corsair offered trims like Standard, Reserve, and the Grand Touring plug-in hybrid, each with varying features. The Reserve trim added premium touches like a 14-speaker Revel audio system and a panoramic moonroof, while the Grand Touring trim introduced a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV offered two engine options: a 6.2-liter V8 delivering 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The V8 engine provided sufficient power but lacked low-end torque for high-speed passing. The Escalade ESV's weight ranged from 5,785 to 6,182 pounds, affecting its performance when towing. Fuel economy was estimated at 17 to 23 mpg combined, with RWD versions being more efficient.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair featured 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 offered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, providing strong acceleration. Both engines were mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the 2.0-liter available in front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), while the 2.3-liter was exclusively AWD. The Corsair offered unique drive modes like "Conserve" and "Excite," enhancing the driving experience. The Grand Touring trim introduced a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a combined 266 horsepower, offering 28 miles of pure EV driving and 33 mpg combined in hybrid mode.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was designed for comfort and cargo capacity, offering leatherette seating surfaces with available leather upholstery. Standard features included 12-way power-adjustable front seats, heated seats, tri-zone climate control, and a hands-free power liftgate. The ESV provided ample legroom in the first two rows, with the third row suitable for occasional adult use. Cargo space was generous, with 126.6 cubic feet behind the first row, 81.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 42.9 cubic feet behind the third row. The power-adjustable third row could be folded using a switch in the cargo area, though it sometimes required manual adjustment. The hands-free power liftgate worked inconsistently, and the rear window could be opened for additional storage options.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair offered a spacious cabin with comfortable seats and ample storage space. However, the pronounced lip when entering or exiting the vehicle required caution. The test model featured reclining and sliding rear seats, providing impressive legroom for a compact SUV. Cargo space measured 27.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 57.6 cubic feet with the seats folded, average for its class. The Corsair came standard with a power liftgate and offered a hands-free option.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was equipped with advanced technology, including a standard 19-speaker AKG sound system, with an optional 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system. It featured wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and seven USB ports. The highlight was a curved 38-inch OLED screen, providing crisp graphics and intuitive menu navigation. Cadillac's Super Cruise, an advanced driving assist system, was available, allowing hands-free driving on select highways. While Super Cruise generally performed well, it occasionally struggled with lane changes and required driver intervention in certain conditions.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system running SYNC 3, 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 allowed easy access to voice control, enhancing the user experience.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with front automatic braking, park assist, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, and forward-collision assist. Additional safety features included adaptive park assist, a head-up display, lane-departure warning, blind-spot alert, rear cross-traffic alert, night vision, and advanced adaptive cruise control. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Escalade ESV a four-star rating, with a three-star rating in the rollover test.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair featured standard safety equipment, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Lincoln CoPilot360 Plus suite added features like adaptive LED headlights, surround-view parking cameras, speed-limit sign recognition, and automatic parking assist. The Corsair earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick Plus designation when equipped with high-feature headlights.