2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen completely overhauled the Tiguan for the 2018 model year, introducing an all-new second generation of its compact crossover SUV. The redesign addressed the original Tiguan’s biggest shortcoming—its diminutive size—and aimed to make it more competitively priced against the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The result was a vehicle that maintained a stylish and conservatively German exterior but showed some evidence of cost-cutting upon closer inspection. The Tiguan's clean and simple lines, adorned with Volkswagen's new flat logo, gave it a contemporary look. However, the interior was plain, with dull surfaces and hard black plastic, a far cry from Volkswagen's previous reputation for superior interiors. The focus seemed to have shifted to electronics, with an optional digital dashboard and a glass-covered touchscreen infotainment system standing out as highlights.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, was a different beast altogether. While past Navigators resembled dressed-up Ford Expeditions, the current model shared only its side glass and overall footprint with the Expedition. The Navigator's theme was elegance and understatement, a challenging feat for a three-ton truck. Simple rectilinear shapes defined its grille, windows, and headlights, with a few splashes of chrome for added class. The interior was equally impressive, with seven color palettes and finer details like layered wood trim and a floating center console. The materials were top-notch, and the Perfect Position seats offered 30 different adjustments, making the Navigator one of the most comfortable and luxurious SUVs in its class.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This engine drove either the front or all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Despite its snappy throttle response and minimal turbo lag, the Tiguan was only moderately quick, especially when fully loaded. The automatic transmission downshifted smoothly, but passing on the highway required patience. The Tiguan's engine was relatively quiet, and the cabin was well-insulated from wind noise, making it a decent highway cruiser. However, its larger size impacted handling, making it less nimble than competitors. The suspension was soft, ensuring a comfortable ride even on rough roads, but the steering was too light, even in sport mode.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbo V6 engine from the Ford Raptor, producing an impressive 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Navigator felt sprightly despite its size. Its 4WD system was smooth and didn't bind during tight turns. The Navigator's towing capacity was substantial, at 8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models. However, fuel economy was poor, averaging in the teens. The Navigator's adaptive dampers provided a decent ride, but it lacked the suppleness of competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. The steering and brakes were looser and softer, respectively, but the Navigator's low-end thrust and quiet cabin made it a refined and powerful highway cruiser.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in practicality, starting with its second row of seats, which could slide up to seven inches fore and aft, making the third row more usable. While the third row wasn't spacious, it had enough legroom for shorter adults and was cozy for kids. Front-drive Tiguans came with the third row as standard, while AWD models were five-seaters with the third row available as an option. The split second-row seats folded flat, providing 65.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row collapsed and 73.5 cubic feet in two-row models. The Tiguan's wide beam offered plenty of hip and shoulder room in the front seats, making it feel as roomy as many midsize SUVs.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was a spacious SUV, capable of housing six adults comfortably. It was technically a seven-passenger vehicle, but the third row's middle seat was best suited for a child. The second row featured manually-reclining and tilting captain's chairs, with a bench option for a total of eight passengers. The Navigator's boxy shape provided ample cargo space, with 19 cubic feet behind the third row, 57 behind the second, and 103 in total. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more storage. The rear glass opened separately from the tailgate, a convenient feature for loading and unloading. The Navigator's front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with large windows and a high driving position providing excellent visibility.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the MIB II infotainment system, which was set to be replaced by MIB3 the following year. Despite this, the current system was one of the best on the market. The base S trim had a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while higher trims featured an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen with a glass surface, bright colors, and a speedy processor. The Tiguan S had a single USB-C port, while higher trims had two USB-A ports and a wireless charging pad. VW’s Digital Cockpit, available on top SEL trims, was a fully digital instrument panel that could be customized and reconfigured. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a WiFi hotspot.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's technology felt somewhat dated compared to newer competitors. Its 10-inch touchscreen looked small, and the instrument panel couldn't show full-screen maps or different designs. The cameras were low-resolution, and the infotainment system couldn't wirelessly connect to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. However, the software was intuitive and easy to use, with fast and accurate voice recognition. The Navigator featured onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, a smartwatch app, and the ability to use a smartphone as the vehicle's ignition key. The rear entertainment system included Roku media streaming and various USB, HDMI, and wireless connections. Drive mode animations on the instrument panel added a touch of elegance.

For the 2020 model year, Volkswagen improved the Tiguan’s standard safety package, adding forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert to all models. However, features like adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assistance and LED headlights with automatic high beams were reserved for the top SEL trim. VW equipped all 2020 Tiguan models with Car-Net, a telematics package that connected the vehicle to an owner’s smartphone or watch through an app. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not crash-tested the Tiguan, but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated it a Top Safety Pick for top-of-the-line SEL Premium models with LED headlights.

The 2021 Navigator was crash-tested by the NHTSA and received five stars overall, with five stars in every test except for rollover resistance. The IIHS had not rated the Navigator in its current generation. The Navigator offered optional inflatable rear seat belts for the second row, a rare safety feature. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control was optional, but the Navigator's self-steering and lane-tracking capabilities were not as advanced as some competitors.