Lexus RX vs Lincoln Corsair

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair, introduced as a replacement for the Lincoln MKC, offered a fresh take on the compact luxury SUV segment. Riding 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 slab sides, blacked-out rear pillars, and straight belt- and rooflines, giving it a larger presence. Inside, the Corsair's cabin shared design elements with Lincoln's more expensive SUVs, such as a flowing dash and floating center touchscreen, though it lacked the same level of fit and finish. The Corsair was available in Standard, Reserve, and Grand Touring trims, with the Reserve trim offering additional luxury features like a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 14-speaker Revel audio system.

The 2022 Lexus RX continued to impress with its modern and sporty design, following a 2020 facelift that introduced a revised grille and other exterior enhancements. Competing in the midsize luxury crossover segment, the RX stood out with its aggressive styling, characterized by razor-sharp character lines and angular features. The F Sport trim, in particular, added performance-oriented elements like 20-inch wheels and a unique front fascia. Inside, the RX maintained a luxurious appeal with a variety of color combinations and high-quality materials. However, the center stack felt dated, and the NuLuxe seats in the F Sport trim were less comfortable than expected. The RX was available in base 350, F Sport, and L trims, with a hybrid RX 450h model also offered.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair offered two engine options: a base 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with 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's drive modes, such as "Conserve" and "Excite," provided a unique driving experience, with the 2.3-liter engine delivering brisk acceleration and confident cornering. The Grand Touring trim introduced a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a combined 266 horsepower, offering 28 miles of pure electric driving and a fuel efficiency rating of 78 MPGe in electric mode.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 came equipped with a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid RX 450h added two high-torque electric motors for a combined output of 308 horsepower. All RX models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with FWD standard on the RX 350 and AWD available. Despite the F Sport designation, the RX's performance was underwhelming, with a lackluster engine note and hesitant acceleration. The F Sport Handling package added features like an adaptive variable suspension and Sport+ drive mode, but the differences in driving dynamics were minimal. The RX excelled in driving comfort and cabin quietness, with a compliant ride and isolated road noise. The RX 350 achieved an EPA-estimated 23 mpg combined, while the RX 450h offered 30 mpg combined.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair boasted a spacious cabin with comfortable seats and ample storage space. However, the pronounced lip when entering or exiting the vehicle was a notable downside. 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. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free option available.

The 2022 Lexus RX provided 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume in its standard two-row configuration, comfortably accommodating four adults. The three-row L models, however, offered limited space for anything beyond groceries. Cargo space in the standard RX was 16.0 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 32.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The three-row models offered 7.45 cubic feet with all seats upright, increasing to 58.48 cubic feet with both back rows down. The RX featured thoughtful interior elements like a smartphone slot and adjustable-height cup holder, though the rear seats did not fold completely flat.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system running the SYNC 3 interface, 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 2022 Lexus RX offered an 8-inch touchscreen display as standard, with a 12.3-inch version available. Despite being moved closer to the driver, the screen's positioning was ergonomically unfriendly, with a lip obstructing access to icons. The touchpad controller was hypersensitive and unintuitive, leading to frustration. The RX included features like six USB ports, wireless charging, and a WiFi hotspot, with the Lexus App providing remote engine start and vehicle settings.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair featured standard safety equipment such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The Lincoln CoPilot360 Plus suite added adaptive LED headlights, surround-view parking cameras, and adaptive cruise control. The Corsair earned a Top Safety Pick Plus rating from the IIHS when equipped with high-feature headlights.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and a pre-collision system. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The RX was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS with optional triple-beam LED headlights but missed the "plus" designation. It received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.