2021 Volvo XC60 vs 2021 Lincoln Corsair

The 2021 Volvo XC60, positioned between the compact XC40 and the larger XC90, was a testament to Volvo's rebirth under Geely Holding Group. This second-generation model, built on the SPA platform, shared its architecture with other 60-series and 90-series vehicles. The XC60's design was characterized by its elegant, tailored crossover look, featuring short overhangs and crisp body details that emphasized agility. The front grille proudly displayed Volvo's iron mark logo, complemented by the distinctive Thor's hammer LED headlights. Inside, the XC60's cabin exuded Scandinavian style with clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene atmosphere. The 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen was a standout feature, and the attention to detail in elements like the HVAC vents elevated the XC60 to near-luxury status.

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, blacked-out rear pillars, and straight belt- and rooflines. These design cues, shared with the Aviator and Navigator, gave the Corsair a larger presence. Inside, the Corsair's cabin featured a flowing dash, floating center touchscreen, and signature "Piano Key" shifter buttons. However, the fit and finish didn't quite match the more expensive Lincoln SUVs, with more hard-touch materials present. The Corsair offered trims like Standard, Reserve, and the Grand Touring plug-in hybrid, each with a range of features to cater to different preferences.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a range of powertrains, all centered around a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T5 models, available in FWD or AWD, produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 models, with AWD, delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, thanks to the addition of a supercharger. The T8 models, plug-in hybrids, combined an 87-hp electric motor with the gasoline engine, resulting in 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Polestar Engineered variant further increased output to 415 hp. The XC60's AWD system and torque vectoring provided confident handling, while the cabin remained quiet and the suspension smoothed out bumps. Fuel economy ranged from 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway for the T5 FWD to 57 MPGe in electric-only mode for the T8.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair featured a base 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 250 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, available in FWD or AWD. The optional 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine, exclusively AWD, offered 295 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, providing strong acceleration. The Corsair's drive modes, like "Conserve" and "Excite," offered unique experiences, with Excite akin to a sport mode. The 2.3-liter engine delivered brisk acceleration, though some body roll was present in turns. The suspension absorbed potholes well, though road noise was noticeable. The Grand Touring trim introduced a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-liter engine, CVT, and electric motors, producing 266 hp and offering 28 miles of pure EV driving.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was designed for comfort and style, with a focus on safety and functionality. The front seats were highly adjustable, and the heating system excelled in cold conditions. The XC60's storage solutions were smartly integrated throughout the cabin, with intuitive controls for passengers. Cargo space measured 21.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and expanded to 63.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The XC60 was also capable of towing up to 3,500 pounds.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair offered a spacious cabin with comfortable seats and ample storage. However, the pronounced lip when entering or exiting the vehicle was a notable drawback. The reclining and sliding rear seats provided comfort, and both rows offered generous head and legroom. Cargo space was 27.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 57.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Corsair came standard with a power liftgate and offered a hands-free option.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which used a tablet-style touchpad interface. The system's portrait orientation and gesture controls were familiar to iPad users, though there was a learning curve. Smartphone integration included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system in the test model was exceptional.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen running the SYNC 3 infotainment system. The screen's logical menu layout and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto made it user-friendly. The Reserve trim added wireless device charging, a 14-speaker Revel audio system, and a head-up display with crisp graphics.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was a testament to Volvo's commitment to safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, collision avoidance, and more. Volvo's semi-autonomous Pilot Assist system was available, and the XC60's top speed was limited to 112 mph for safety.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair came standard with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. The Lincoln CoPilot360 Plus suite added features like adaptive LED headlights, a 360-degree camera, and adaptive cruise control. The Corsair was also an IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus when equipped with high-feature headlights.