Mercedes-Benz GLA vs Lincoln Corsair

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA had a modernized appearance with its new generation, fitting neatly as the smallest SUV in the Mercedes lineup. Its proportions and styling were distinct, making it clear where it stood among its larger siblings like the GLS, GLE, GLC, and GLB. The GLA was slightly larger than its predecessor, with a three-inch increase in height and a half-inch reduction in length, giving it a more robust and muscular look. Despite its appealing exterior, the interior of the GLA 250 was less impressive, with surfaces that were easily scratched and not as premium as expected. The seats were well-appointed, but the overall interior quality did not match the luxury standard set by other crossovers in its class.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair, introduced as a replacement for the MKC, rode on the new C2 platform shared with the Ford Escape. Lincoln succeeded in differentiating the Corsair from its Ford counterpart, offering a refined design with slab sides and blacked-out rear pillars. The Corsair's cabin shared design elements with the Aviator and Navigator, featuring a flowing dash and a floating center touchscreen. However, the fit and finish were not as high-end as its more expensive siblings, with more hard-touch materials present. The Corsair offered three trims: Standard, Reserve, and the Grand Touring plug-in hybrid, each with a range of features that catered to different buyer preferences.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA was available in several variants, including the GLA 250, GLA 250 4MATIC, and AMG GLA 35, with the AMG GLA 45 on the horizon. The GLA 250 and 250 4MATIC were powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 221 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine allowed the GLA to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds, with a top speed of 130 mph. The AMG GLA 35 offered a more powerful 302 hp engine, achieving a zero to 60 mph time of 5.1 seconds. The AMG GLA 45 further increased power to 382 hp, reaching 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds. Despite its performance capabilities, the GLA 250 struggled with turbo lag and road noise, affecting its overall driving experience.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair featured a base 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged engine with 250 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, while an optional 2.3-liter engine provided 295 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the 2.3-liter exclusively offering AWD. The Corsair's drive modes, such as "Conserve" and "Excite," provided a unique driving experience, with the 2.3-liter engine delivering strong acceleration. The Corsair's suspension absorbed road imperfections well, although 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 hp and 28 miles of pure EV driving.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA offered a more SUV-like seating position with its increased height, providing excellent headroom and legroom for front passengers. The rear seats, with a 40/20/40 split-fold, offered improved legroom, making them comfortable for smaller adults. The GLA's cargo space was average for its class, with 15.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 50.5 cubic feet with the seats folded. The low load floor and available power liftgate made loading and unloading cargo convenient.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair boasted a spacious cabin with comfortable seating and ample storage space. However, the pronounced lip when entering or exiting the vehicle was a notable downside. The reclining and sliding rear seats provided impressive legroom, making the Corsair suitable for road trips. The Corsair offered 27.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 57.6 cubic feet with the seats folded, both average for the compact luxury SUV segment. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free option available.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA came standard with the MBUX infotainment system, featuring two 7.0-inch display screens. The system was user-friendly, with touch and touchpad controls, and included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Buyers could upgrade to a 10.25-inch touchscreen, a 12-speaker Burmester audio system, and other features. The MBUX system was intuitive but lacked quick scrolling through radio stations. Voice-activated controls were responsive, and the GLA introduced a car-wash function for added convenience.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair featured an 8-inch touchscreen running the SYNC 3 infotainment system, with a logical menu layout and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Reserve trim added wireless device charging, a 14-speaker Revel audio system, and a head-up display. The HUD provided clear graphics, enhancing the driving experience. The Corsair's steering wheel was well-designed, with the voice control button easily accessible.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA offered a reasonable amount of active safety features, including a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, and forward-collision warning. The Driver Assistance Package added advanced safety technologies, but the GLA's standard safety features were lacking compared to less expensive SUVs. The Parking Assistance Package provided additional parking aids.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The Lincoln CoPilot360 Plus package added advanced driver aids, such as adaptive LED headlights and a 360-degree parking camera. The Corsair earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus rating when equipped with high-feature headlights.