2022 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured clean lines and balanced proportions, which some might have found boring, but others appreciated for its conservative, upscale, and timeless aesthetic. It was a large SUV for its class, nearly as spacious inside as a Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento, thanks to its long-wheelbase version. The interior was roomy and accommodating, with optional third-row seating for up to seven passengers, though the third row was best suited for children. The cabin combined modern geometric forms with a no-nonsense control layout, though it had more hard plastic than an Audi and somewhat flimsy steering wheel stalks.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator made subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and a restyled front end. The new grille, reminiscent of a 2006 Audi A4, was less elegant than before. Inside, the Navigator dazzled with quality materials and mid-century modern design, featuring Lincoln’s Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme. The new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display was a significant upgrade, and the SUV continued to offer standard and long-wheelbase styles with various trim levels. The Black Label trim, with its luxurious Central Park theme, was particularly impressive.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission sent power to the front wheels, with 4Motion AWD available as an option. The powertrain was adequate but suffered from turbocharger lag, making the SUV feel breathless during passing maneuvers. The Tiguan returned 25 mpg in combined driving with FWD and 24 mpg with AWD, though real-world testing showed an average of 22.6 mpg. The Tiguan provided a pleasurable driving experience with light, responsive steering, a compliant ride, and nimble handling, though it struggled with sharper speed bumps and railroad tracks.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator retained its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Navigator offered RWD or 4WD, with a towing capacity ranging from 8,100 to 8,700 pounds. The adaptive-damping suspension with Road Preview and a new electronic brake booster improved ride quality and braking response. The Navigator effortlessly handled various driving conditions, including snow and mud, thanks to its 4WD system and 9.7 inches of ground clearance. The SUV averaged 18.6 mpg during testing, slightly better than the EPA's combined rating of 18 mpg.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan prioritized comfort with large doors, tall seating hip points, and a wide range of front seat adjustments. The back seat offered excellent support, generous legroom, and foot space, with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports for passengers. The Tiguan's cargo space ranged from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row, depending on the presence of the third-row seat, and a maximum capacity of 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet. Storage space was somewhat limited, but the 40/20/40-split folding rear seat and deep cargo wells were practical features.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator continued to impress with its 30-way power-adjustable front seats, which were heated, ventilated, and massaging. The second-row captain’s chairs also offered heating, ventilation, and massaging functions, making long trips comfortable. The third-row seat provided roomy accommodations, and the Navigator's independent rear suspension design ensured comfort. Storage and cargo space were generous, with the long-wheelbase Navigator L offering even more capacity. The Navigator's cargo volume ranged from 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row to a maximum of 103.3 cubic feet, with the Navigator L providing up to 120.2 cubic feet.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the next-generation Modular Infotainment Toolkit (MIB3) starting with the SE trim, which included an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi, SiriusXM 360L, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The system had some quirks, and the voice recognition technology was not up to par. The SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims included Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation, but the standard six-speaker sound system was underwhelming. The SEL Premium R-Line's nine-speaker Fender premium audio system was a notable upgrade.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced the Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display, offering a user-friendly interface and support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The system featured two data panels for simultaneous viewing of navigation and music details. Physical controls for volume, stereo tuning, and climate functions were easy to use. The upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system included Amazon Fire TV, providing access to popular streaming services. The new 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system delivered exceptional sound quality.

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 earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced several new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. A surround-view camera system was also newly standard. Intersection Assist could automatically brake in unsafe traffic conditions, while Road Edge Detection helped steer the SUV away from road edges. Active Park Assist 2.0 took control of parking maneuvers, and ActiveGlide provided semi-autonomous, hands-free driving on approved highways. The Navigator's safety features represented significant steps toward fully autonomous driving.