2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured clean lines and balanced proportions, offering a conservative, upscale, and timeless aesthetic. While some might have found its understated styling boring, it was designed to age well. The Tiguan was large for its class, nearly as spacious inside as a Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento, thanks to its long-wheelbase version. This resulted in a roomy and accommodating interior, with optional third-row seating for up to seven passengers, though the third row was best suited for children.

Inside, the Tiguan combined modern geometric forms with a no-nonsense control layout, though the engine start button's placement on the center console was unusual. The cabin featured shiny detailing, digital instrumentation, and a flush touchscreen infotainment system, but it had too much hard plastic to be mistaken for an Audi. The steering wheel stalks also felt a bit flimsy. The Tiguan was available in S, SE, and SEL trims, with sporty R-Line variants. Pricing ranged from $25,245 to $39,095, excluding the $1,195 destination charge. The test vehicle, an SEL trim with 4Motion AWD, was priced at $35,040.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, was a luxurious SUV that shared its side glass and overall footprint with the Ford Expedition but felt entirely unique. The Navigator Reserve, priced at $92,000, exuded elegance and understatement despite its massive size and 22-inch wheels. Its design featured simple rectilinear shapes, body-color grille, and a few chrome accents, creating a classy look. The Pristine White example tested in winter conditions showcased the Navigator's ability to impress with its illuminated Lincoln logo and light show upon unlocking.

Inside, the Navigator offered seven color palettes, with the Slate Gray interior of the test vehicle highlighting finer details like layered wood trim and a floating center console. The materials were high-quality, and panel gaps were tight. The Perfect Position seats, adjustable in 30 ways, provided exceptional comfort. The Navigator's spacious interior could accommodate six adults comfortably, with optional captain's chairs or a bench for the second row. Cargo space was generous, with up to 103 cubic feet available. The Navigator L variant offered even more storage capacity.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower at 4,360 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque at 1,600 rpm. An eight-speed automatic transmission sent power to the front wheels, with 4Motion AWD available as a $1,400 option on most models. While the powertrain was adequate, it suffered from turbocharger lag, making the engine feel breathless during passing maneuvers. The Tiguan's nearly 4,000-pound curb weight contributed to this perception of lethargy.

The EPA rated the Tiguan at 25 mpg combined for FWD models and 24 mpg for AWD models. During testing, the AWD model averaged 22.6 mpg. Despite its powertrain shortcomings, the Tiguan provided a pleasurable driving experience with light, responsive steering, a compliant ride, and refined braking action. However, it struggled over sharper speed bumps and railroad tracks, and its tires lacked grip in corners. On the highway, the Tiguan was quiet and composed, making long road trips enjoyable.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine from the Ford Raptor, producing 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Navigator felt sprightly despite its size. The 4WD system was smooth and responsive, with a towing capacity of 8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models. Fuel economy was poor, averaging in the teens, matching the EPA-estimated 17 mpg combined rating.

The Navigator's adaptive dampers provided a decent ride, but it lacked the suppleness of competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. The steering was looser, and the brakes felt soft on initial application. Despite these shortcomings, the Navigator's low-end thrust and quiet cabin made it a refined and powerful highway cruiser. Paddle shifters added a touch of sportiness with quick reaction times and rev-matched downshifts.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan prioritized comfort with large doors and tall seating hip points for easy entry and exit. The front seats offered a wide range of adjustments, and the V-Tex leatherette upholstery mimicked real leather. The back seat provided excellent support, legroom, and foot space, with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports for passengers. The optional panoramic sunroof was a pleasant feature, though storage space was limited.

The Tiguan's 40/20/40-split folding rear seat allowed for versatile cargo configurations. Cargo volume ranged from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row, depending on the presence of the third-row seat. Maximum capacity ranged from 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator offered a spacious interior, accommodating six adults comfortably. The third row's middle seat was best suited for children. The second row featured manually-reclining captain's chairs, with an optional bench for up to eight passengers. Cargo space was generous, with 19 cubic feet behind the third row, 57 behind the second, and 103 in total. The long-wheelbase Navigator L variant provided even more storage capacity.

The Navigator Reserve had heated second-row seats and a three-zone climate system. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with features like separate thigh extensions, torso bolsters, and massage programs. Visibility was excellent, but parking was challenging due to the vehicle's size. The 360-degree cameras were helpful but not perfect.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the MIB3 infotainment system starting with the SE trim. It included an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi for up to four devices, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The system had some quirks, and the voice recognition technology was lacking. The standard six-speaker sound system struggled with bass-heavy music, while the SEL Premium R-Line's nine-speaker Fender audio system was a better option.

The SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims featured Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation, offering an understated approach to technology and information display.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's 10-inch touchscreen felt small compared to competitors. The infotainment system was intuitive but slow, with no wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima stereo was good but not exceptional. The Navigator offered onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, a smartwatch app, and the ability to use a smartphone as the vehicle's ignition key. Rear entertainment included Roku media streaming and various connections. Drive mode animations were a nice touch, and the overall simplicity of the system was appreciated.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came with the IQ Drive collection of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control was available starting with the SE trim, while the SEL added lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist. The SEL Premium R-Line featured automatic high-beam headlights and front and rear parking sensors.

The Tiguan's adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist were effective but had some inconsistencies. The parking sensors were helpful but could be overly sensitive. The standard reversing camera provided a clear view, with a top-down surround-view available on the SEL Premium R-Line. Car-Net connected services offered additional safety features like automatic collision notification and Family Guardian alerts.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received five stars overall from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with four stars for 4WD models and three stars for RWD models in rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety had not rated the Navigator. The Navigator lacked knee airbags but offered optional inflatable rear seat belts for the second row.

Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control was optional but did not offer the same level of self-steering and lane tracking as competitors.