Compare the2022 Acura RDXVS 2021 Lincoln Corsair

Both the RDX and the Corsair have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the RDX is 1.9% to 2.4% less likely to roll over than the Corsair.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the RDX its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 68 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Corsair is only a standard “Top Pick” for 2021.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the RDX’s reliability 20 points higher than the Corsair.

The RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 22 more horsepower (272 vs. 250) than the Corsair’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Acura RDX is faster than the Lincoln Corsair:

The RDX has almost a gallon more fuel capacity than the Corsair (17.1 vs. 16.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Acura RDX higher (6 out of 10) than the Lincoln Corsair (5). This means the RDX produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Corsair every 15,000 miles.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura RDX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Corsair.

For better stopping power the RDX’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Corsair:

The RDX stops much shorter than the Corsair:

For better traction, the RDX has larger standard tires than the Corsair (235/55R19 vs. 225/60R18). The RDX A-Spec’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Corsair (255/40R20 vs. 245/45R20).

The RDX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Corsair’s standard 60 series tires. The RDX A-Spec’s tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Corsair Reserve’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RDX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Corsair.

The RDX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Corsair doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the RDX’s wheelbase is 1.6 inches longer than on the Corsair (108.3 inches vs. 106.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RDX is 1.6 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than on the Corsair.

The RDX AWD handles at .81 G’s, while the Corsair AWD pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The RDX AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Corsair AWD (27.2 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

The RDX has .1 inches more front headroom, 2.6 inches more front shoulder room and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Corsair.

The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Corsair with its rear seat up (31.1 vs. 27.6 cubic feet). The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Corsair with its rear seat folded (79.8 vs. 57.6 cubic feet).

The RDX has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Corsair doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The RDX’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Corsair’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Poor.”

When the RDX is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Corsair’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the RDX is less expensive to operate than the Corsair because it costs $336 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the RDX than the Corsair, including $93 less for a water pump, $196 less for a muffler, $129 less for fuel injection, $48 less for a fuel pump, $11 less for front struts and $644 less for a timing belt/chain.

The Car Book by Jack Gillis recommends the Acura RDX, based on economy, maintenance, safety and complaint levels.