Choosing your next luxury vehicle can be quite a chore. The market is saturated with options, leaving shoppers perplexed about which option is best for them. Those searching for a compact SUV may be interested in the 2021 Lincoln Corsair and the 2021 Lexus NX. Unfortunately, taking a test drive might not give you all the answers you need.

There are many luxury SUVs that will leave you in awe, but these models don’t come cheap. So buyers can’t afford to make the wrong decision. That’s why it’s best to do your research ahead of time, so you’ll know which model is the best long-term purchase.

Pitting the Corsair vs. the NX seems to yield varying results. For instance, the U.S. News & World Report ranks the 2021 Lincoln Corsair well ahead of its Lexus rival. However, the 2021 Lexus NX holds several key advantages that are too important to ignore.

Let’s break down the differences between these luxury SUVs, giving you the info needed to make a smarter buying decision.

The 2021 Lexus NX has the long-game in mind

When looking for a compact luxury SUV, you’re likely looking for a long-term investment. That means you’ll want a vehicle with staying power. Between the 2021 Lexus NX and the 2021 Lincoln Corsair, the NX wins by a mile. 

Lincoln SUVs aren’t very reliable, leading drivers to believe the 2021 Lexus NX would already be more dependable. But Lexus has taken the NX to the next level, making it one of the most reliable SUVs this year.

Even the U.S. News conceded this fact, giving the 2021 Lexus NX a perfect reliability rating. Meanwhile, it scored the 2021 Lincoln Corsair just 3.5/5 in this category.

Additionally, you’re going to want your money to go even further with a return on your investment. Ensuring your maintained vehicle will provide you with ample means to switch models in the future is a significant draw – one that the Corsair doesn’t possess. 

Kelley Blue Book states that the NX, and Lexus models in general, have significantly high resale value. Meanwhile, the 2021 Lincoln Corsair is likelier to experience more drastic depreciation.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair doesn’t set itself apart from the pack

The Corsair is a step up from its cousin, the Ford Escape. It offers more premium features and comes standard with an impressive assortment of technologies. However, it shares some of the Escape’s shortcomings.

The U.S. News & World Report noted how the 2021 Corsair displays dull driving dynamics. This criticism may be due to the Corsair sharing similar underpinnings to the Escape. 

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair offers two engine options – a 250-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a 295-hp 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. However, the compact SUV’s lack of agility doesn’t allow drivers to make the most of these potent powerplants.

Meanwhile, the 2021 Lexus NX isn’t the most exciting model in the class. Its 235-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine leaves something to be desired. But it does offer more agile handling than the Corsair, which will make up for the lack of power in many drivers’ eyes. 

Plus, the NX F Sport – available for under $40,000 – adds a performance suspension and paddle shifters. This trim adds a little more flavor that you won’t experience in the Corsair.

The choice is clear

Sure, the 2021 Lincoln Corsair is safe, delivers excellent, and is even a touch more spacious than the 2021 Lexus NX. However, it fails to measure up in big ways, such as reliability.

Additionally, the resale value on the Corsair just doesn’t garner the same attention the Lexus NX does. In the end, most drivers would be better off purchasing the 2021 NX, as it allows for more flexibility in the future.