2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid vs 2020 Lincoln Corsair

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid distinguished itself from its conventionally powered siblings with unique visual elements. It featured bright gray inserts along the sides and front lower bumper, as well as blue frames around the upgraded headlight clusters. The exclusive "Lagoon Blue" color added an eye-catching appeal. Inside, the Crosstrek Hybrid boasted blue inserts and two-tone leather seats with blue contrast stitching, all standard. Despite its well-equipped nature, the hybrid's rear cargo space was compromised due to the battery placement, resulting in a higher cargo floor.

In contrast, the 2020 Lincoln Corsair exuded luxury and refinement, setting itself apart from its Ford roots. Its design featured a low hood line, restrained chrome grille, and teardrop headlights, with J-shaped LED running lamps reminiscent of a Jaguar. The Corsair's body panels and trim pieces were unique to Lincoln, and its elegant clamshell tailgate and thin taillights added to its sophisticated appearance. The Corsair's interior was adorned with rich materials, including curved matte-finish wood and leather with contrast stitching, creating a luxurious and comfortable environment.

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid's powertrain combined a 2.0-liter Boxer four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, producing 137 horsepower and 134 pound-feet of torque. Its all-wheel-drive system was integrated before the drivetrain split, offering the capability typical of Subaru vehicles. The plug-in system's battery charged in five hours with a 120-volt outlet or two hours with a 240-volt station, providing a 17-mile electric-only range. Despite its rugged suspension and 8.7 inches of ground clearance, the Crosstrek Hybrid's acceleration was underwhelming, and its hybrid components added 500 pounds, affecting handling.

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair offered two turbocharged 4-cylinder engines paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The 2.0T trim delivered 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, while the 2.3T trim, shared with the Mustang, produced 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The Corsair's suspension provided a composed and comfortable ride, with adaptive dampers standard on the 2.3T trim. Fuel economy for the 2.3T was EPA-estimated at 21 mpg city, 28 highway, and 24 combined, with minimal penalty for choosing the larger engine.

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured an electronic emergency brake, allowing for a more spacious front console layout. Its upright seating position provided a commanding view, and rear seat space was adequate even for taller passengers. However, the cargo area was reduced to 41 cubic feet due to the battery pack, compared to 55 cubic feet in the gas-powered Crosstrek.

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair offered a comfortable and adjustable interior with Perfect Position seats, providing 24 ways of adjustment. Rear passengers enjoyed sliding and reclining seats, with optional heated seats and a panoramic moonroof enhancing the experience. Cargo space was 28 cubic feet behind the seats, expanding to 58 cubic feet when folded. The Sync 3 infotainment system was user-friendly, though some controls were less intuitive.

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came with Subaru's premium Starlink infotainment system and an 8-inch touchscreen, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The multi-information display atop the dash provided useful information without being overly complicated, controlled by a steering wheel button.

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair offered smartphone-as-key functionality through the Lincoln Way app, though it was deactivated in the test model. The head-up display was wide and informative, and the Co-Pilot360 Plus system provided semi-automated driving features. Voice recognition and destination searches were fast and accurate, though the instrument panel could benefit from more customization options.

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid included standard safety features such as front- and side-impact airbags, traction control, and a reversing camera. Subaru's EyeSight suite offered forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist, providing semi-autonomous highway driving capabilities.

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair was rated a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, with excellent crash test scores and a forward emergency braking system. Co-Pilot360 included features like adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring. Co-Pilot360 Plus added lane-keep assist and evasive steering assist, with rear side airbags and knee airbags standard.