BMW X7 vs Lincoln Corsair

The 2021 BMW X7 was a standout in the luxury SUV segment, often seen navigating the bustling streets of metropolitan Los Angeles. It was known for its superior interior quality, surpassing that of the Cadillac Escalade, and boasted more prestige than the Infiniti QX80 or Lincoln Navigator. The X7 also offered advanced technological features that outshone those in the Lexus LX 570 and had a significant visual presence compared to the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. Despite its impressive attributes, the choice of a luxury SUV often came down to personal preference, and the X7 was no exception.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair, introduced as a replacement for the Lincoln MKC, was built on the new C2 platform shared with the Ford Escape. This model successfully differentiated itself from its Ford counterpart, unlike some of its competitors. The Corsair's design was refined, featuring slab sides and a sleek silhouette that made it appear larger than it was. Inside, the Corsair shared design elements with the Aviator and Navigator, though it lacked the same level of fit and finish. The cabin was comfortable, with reclining and sliding rear seats, and offered a range of trims, including the Standard, Reserve, and Grand Touring plug-in hybrid.

The 2021 BMW X7 xDrive40i was powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and BMW's xDrive AWD system. The X7 featured eBoost mild-hybrid technology, which included a 48-volt starter/generator and battery, enhancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. Despite the technology, the X7's fuel economy ratings were slightly lower than the previous year, with 19 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg combined. The X7 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, offering a smooth and serene driving experience, though it struggled with body motions in certain driving conditions.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder with 250 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, and an optional 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder with 295 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the 2.3-liter engine exclusively available with AWD. The Corsair featured unique drive modes like "Conserve" and "Excite," providing a confident driving experience with strong acceleration and braking. 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 horsepower and an efficiency rating of 78 MPGe in electric mode.

The 2021 BMW X7 offered a luxurious interior with features like heated and ventilated front seats, a five-zone climate control system, and premium Merino leather upholstery. The second-row captain's chairs were exceptionally comfortable, and the third-row seats were surprisingly accommodating for adults. The X7 provided 48.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the third-row seats folded and 90.4 cubic feet with the second-row seats down, though these figures were not class-leading.

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 drawback. The Corsair's rear seats were reclining and sliding, offering impressive legroom for a compact SUV. It provided 27.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 57.6 cubic feet with the seats folded, which was average for its class. The Corsair came standard with a power liftgate and offered a hands-free power liftgate option.

The 2021 BMW X7 featured a 12.3-inch Live Cockpit Professional digital instrumentation paired with the iDrive 7.0 infotainment system. This system included navigation, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and enhanced SiriusXM 360L. The X7 also offered wireless smartphone charging, a natural voice-recognition system, and gesture control, though the latter was inconsistent. The head-up display was a useful feature, though it was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system running the SYNC 3 interface. It included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a logical menu layout. The Reserve trim added features like wireless device charging, a 14-speaker Revel audio system, and a head-up display with crisp graphics. The steering wheel design allowed for easy access to voice controls, enhancing the overall user experience.

The 2021 BMW X7 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety technologies, with additional features available in the Driving Assistance Professional Package and Parking Assistance Package. These included evasive-steering assist, traffic-jam assist, and semi-automated parking assist. The X7's advanced driving assistance systems were generally accurate and trustworthy, though there were occasional issues with lane-maintenance technology.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair offered a robust set of standard safety features, including 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 was recognized as an IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus when equipped with high-feature headlights, highlighting its strong safety credentials.