Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs Lincoln Corsair

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair was introduced as a refined replacement for the Lincoln MKC, which had struggled to match the athleticism of its Ford Escape counterpart. Riding on the new C2 platform, the Corsair distinguished itself from Ford models with a unique design language shared with the Aviator and Navigator. Its exterior featured slab sides, blacked-out rear pillars, and straight belt- and rooflines, giving it a larger presence. Inside, the Corsair's cabin echoed the design of more expensive Lincoln SUVs, with a flowing dash and floating center touchscreen. However, it fell short in terms of 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 levels of luxury and technology.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid borrowed styling cues from the Tacoma pickup, giving it a rugged appearance with a trapezoidal grille and upright fascia. However, its design introduced some softness with a character line that swooped over the rear wheel arch, creating a disjointed look. Inside, the Highlander's asymmetrical dash featured a metallic styling element that added visual interest and storage options. The Bronze Edition test vehicle had light grey fabric seat upholstery with an odd pattern, while other trims offered more conventional materials. The Highlander Hybrid's interior was practical, with spacious second-row seats and a less accommodating third row. Despite its unconventional design, the Highlander Hybrid remained a popular choice for families seeking a hybrid SUV.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair offered a base 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 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 Grand Touring trim introduced a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a combined 266 horsepower, offering 28 miles of pure EV driving and impressive fuel efficiency.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine producing 243 horsepower, paired with a CVT. It featured standard FWD, with an optional AWD system using a supplemental electric motor for the rear axle. The Highlander Hybrid accelerated to 60 mph in just over 8 seconds, slightly slower than gasoline-only SUVs. The hybrid powertrain provided a quick initial response, with the gasoline engine supplying adequate power. Braking was smooth, with regenerative braking seamlessly transitioning to physical brakes. The Highlander Hybrid offered a comfortable ride, with a soft suspension that absorbed bumps while maintaining adequate cornering confidence.

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 posed a tripping hazard. The test model featured reclining and sliding rear seats, 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.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid's front seats were well-cushioned, with plenty of adjustments for drivers of all sizes. Storage options included a deep tray under the infotainment screen, a small shelf, and a large center armrest bin. The second-row seats were spacious, with sliding and reclining capabilities, while the third row was less accommodating, suitable for occasional use by children. The Highlander Hybrid offered 16 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, and 84.3 cubic feet with the second row stowed.

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 a wireless charging pad, a 14-speaker Revel premium audio system, and a head-up display with crisp graphics.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured a standard 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch option available on top trims. The system was responsive, with logical menus and physical shortcut buttons. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration were standard, with a wireless charging pad on XLE trims and above. Navigation and an 11-speaker JBL audio system were available on higher trims.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair included standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The Lincoln CoPilot360 Plus suite added adaptive LED headlights, surround-view cameras, and adaptive cruise control. The Corsair earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus rating with high-feature headlights.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The Platinum trim offered a surround-view camera system and adaptive headlights. The safety systems generally performed well, though some features required fine-tuning.