Lincoln Corsair vs Kia Seltos

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair was introduced as a replacement for the Lincoln MKC, which had been around since 2014. The Corsair, built on the new C2 platform shared with the Ford Escape, offered a distinct feel from its Ford counterpart, unlike some other brand pairings. Its design was refined, with slab sides and blacked-out rear pillars, giving it a larger appearance. Inside, the Corsair shared design elements with other Lincoln SUVs, such as a flowing dash and a floating center touchscreen. However, it had more hard-touch materials, and the black leather with dark wood trim seemed to target older buyers. The Corsair came in Standard, Reserve, and Grand Touring trims, with the Reserve trim offering features like a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 14-speaker Revel audio system.

The 2022 Kia Seltos was positioned between the smaller Soul and the larger Sportage, offering five trim levels. Our test vehicle, the Nightfall Edition, featured matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels, a turbocharged engine, and a dual-clutch transmission. The Seltos had a stylish interior with contrast-color dashboard panels and metallic accents, though it was marred by shiny hard plastics. The controls were logically arranged, with knobs for stereo volume and cabin temperature. The Seltos was larger and more refined than many of its rivals, offering a lively driving experience in urban environments. However, its suspension tuning was less appealing, and it struggled with speed bumps and uneven pavement.

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 provided 295 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, delivering strong acceleration. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the 2.3-liter engine exclusively available with all-wheel drive. The Corsair featured unique drive modes like "Conserve" and "Excite," with the latter akin to a Sport mode. The suspension was designed to absorb deeper potholes, though road noise was noticeable. The Grand Touring trim added a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a combined 266 hp and an efficiency rating of 78 MPGe in electric mode.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque for the LX, S, and EX trims. The Nightfall Edition and SX trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 175 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Seltos had Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode balancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. The AWD system included a Lock function for power delivery between the front and rear wheels. The Seltos returned 27 mpg in combined driving during testing. However, its suspension tuning allowed for more body motion and less bump isolation than preferred.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair had a spacious cabin with comfortable seats and ample storage space. However, the large lip when stepping in or out of the vehicle was a notable downside. 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 and 57.6 cubic feet with the seats folded, which was average for its class. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free option available.

The 2022 Kia Seltos excelled in form and function, offering a roomy interior with easy access due to its ride height and large door openings. The Nightfall Edition had a six-way manually adjustable driver's seat and a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel. The rear seat accommodated adults comfortably, with generous footroom and rear air conditioning vents. The Seltos provided 26.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat and 62.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. Storage space was decent, with a smartphone shelf and plastic grocery sack hooks.

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 wireless device charging, a 14-speaker Revel audio system, and a head-up display. The steering wheel design allowed easy access to voice control.

For 2022, the Kia Seltos expanded the availability of its 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, standard on the EX, Nightfall Edition, and SX trims. It included Bluetooth, navigation, connected services, satellite radio, and a six-speaker stereo. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a cable connection. The system was intuitive, with physical buttons for primary functions. However, the voice recognition system was frustrating without an active subscription to connected services.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair came with standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. The Lincoln CoPilot360 Plus suite added adaptive LED headlights, surround-view parking cameras, and reverse automatic braking. The Corsair earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus rating with high-feature headlights.

The 2022 Kia Seltos included forward-collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, and lane-keeping assist. The EX trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the SX trim offered adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist. The Seltos received an IIHS Top Safety Pick rating for the SX trim and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.