2019 Buick Envision vs 2020 Lincoln Corsair

The 2019 Buick Envision was considered one of the most attractive vehicles in Buick's SUV lineup. It had a more athletic and taut vibe compared to the subcompact Buick Encore and the full-size Buick Enclave. The strong body lines along the sides and the upright rear section of the side windows gave it proportions similar to a BMW X1. Inside, the Envision's cabin initially appeared attractive with a clean and straightforward layout. However, closer inspection revealed that the materials used did not live up to the luxury billing Buick aimed for. The matte-finish material on some controls and the bezel around the radio and navigation system looked cheap, and the multifunction steering wheel felt coarse to the touch. Small details, like the lack of one-touch power-up windows for all doors, indicated that some corners were cut in the design.

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair, on the other hand, exuded refinement and never felt like a Ford despite sharing some components with the Escape. Every body panel and trim piece was unique to Lincoln, giving it a distinct and elegant look. The low hood line, restrained chrome grille, and teardrop headlights contributed to its sophisticated appearance. The tall roof that gently sloped from the B-pillar and the clamshell tailgate added to its elegance, drawing comparisons to luxury SUVs like the Audi Q5 and Porsche Cayenne. The interior was rich with materials and details, featuring curved matte-finish wood, leather with contrast stitching, and chrome trim. The Corsair's cabin felt expensive and fashion-forward, despite some minor issues with hard plastic on the lower dash and a matte black center console.

The 2019 Buick Envision offered two engine options. The FWD, Preferred, and Essence trims came with a 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder engine producing 197 horsepower, paired with an outdated 6-speed automatic transmission. This setup felt underpowered and sluggish in many driving situations. The Premium and Premium II trims featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 252 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, mated to a new 9-speed automatic transmission. This engine provided solid acceleration and came standard with AWD. The Envision's steering was responsive and tight, though the vehicle felt top-heavy in corners. It excelled in city driving with a smooth ride and a supremely quiet cabin thanks to extensive sound-deadening materials. Fuel economy for the 2.5-liter FWD was 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined, while the turbo AWD model achieved 20/25/22 mpg.

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair offered two turbocharged 4-cylinder engines, both paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The 2.0T trim had a 2.0-liter engine with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, with FWD standard and AWD optional. The 2.3T trim featured a 2.3-liter engine with 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, available only with AWD. The Corsair's transmission was generally smooth but occasionally hiccuped in lower gears. The steering lacked road feel, but the body maintained total control, providing a rock-solid and surefooted ride. Adaptive dampers came standard with the 2.3T, enhancing comfort over long commutes. Fuel economy for the 2.3T was 21 mpg city, 28 highway, and 24 combined, while the 2.0T AWD achieved 21/29/24 mpg, and the FWD model got 22/29/25 mpg.

The 2019 Buick Envision provided ample space for the driver and passengers. The driver's seat offered a commanding position with plenty of visibility, and the second row had generous head- and legroom. The rear seats could recline to different positions, enhancing comfort. With the rear seats up, the Envision offered 27 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 57 cubic feet when folded. This was comparable to the Acura RDX, a class leader. The Envision also featured helpful cargo tie-downs, deep pockets in all four doors, and a cargo tray above the glove box, making good use of its space.

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair made it easy to get comfortable with seat controls on the doors and a button for massage settings on the touchscreen. The Perfect Position seats offered 24 ways of adjustment, including separate extensions for each thigh. The driving position felt airy with good sightlines, and rear passengers could slide the seat back and recline. Optional heated rear seats and a panoramic moonroof added to the comfort. Cargo space was slightly smaller, with 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 58 cubic feet when folded. The Sync 3 infotainment system was user-friendly, though the engine auto stop-start control was hard to access. The center console was roomy, with a sliding storage bin and a wireless phone charger in the center armrest.

The 2019 Buick Envision came standard with GM's Intellilink infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with a straightforward layout. It included hard buttons and dials below the screen, and the screen itself had a dock of icons for music, connectivity, and navigation. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the system was seamless in switching between connectivity and Intellilink. The test vehicle also had wireless charging, though the charging pocket design was unconventional. Below the touchscreen, touch-capacitive controls for climate and heated/cooled seats were less responsive and seemed like unnecessary tech additions.

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair offered the option to use a smartphone as an ignition key through the Lincoln Way app, though this feature was deactivated in the test vehicle. The hidden touchpad on the B-pillars allowed for unlocking the car with a 5-digit code, a convenient feature. The head-up display (HUD) was wide and info-rich, showing outside temperature, turn signals, directions, and controls for the semi-automated driving feature. The instrument panel was minimalist, with limited customization options. Voice recognition and destination searches were fast and accurate, and in-car WiFi was available, though software updates required an external WiFi connection.

The 2019 Buick Envision came standard with ten airbags, including side-curtain and knee airbags, and a reversing camera with Rear Park Assist. The Premium and Premium II trims included GM’s Safety Alert Seat, which vibrated to alert the driver to potential hazards. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on Essence and Premium trims, while lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision alert were standard on the Premium trim. The Driver Confidence Package, available only on the Premium II trim, added adaptive cruise control, automatic front braking, and a 360-degree camera. However, many of these features required additional payment, unlike some competitors.

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair had not been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) but received a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It scored well in all six crash tests and for its forward emergency braking system but lost the "+" designation due to poorer headlight scores. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, auto high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning. The Co-Pilot360 Plus package added lane-keep assist with semi-automated functionality, evasive steering assist, and rear emergency braking. Rear side airbags and knee airbags for both driver and passenger were also standard.