2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Lincoln Nautilus

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, especially in its Black Label trim with 21-inch machined-finish wheels, was a striking SUV. Its design was well-balanced, avoiding any awkwardness while maintaining a distinctive character. At night, the Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence added a touch of elegance. Inside, the Black Label model offered a choice between the Chalet and the new-for-2022 Flight design themes. The Chalet theme featured light gray premium leather upholstery, while the Flight theme boasted a sophisticated Luggage Tan color. The Black Label trim included nearly every available feature, such as a simulated suede headliner and luxury floor mats, creating a luxurious atmosphere. However, the center console design and some chrome-plated plastic pieces detracted slightly from the overall opulence.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan maintained its design from the previous year, with the SEL R-Line trim offering a sporty appearance and 20-inch machined-finish wheels. The Tiguan's design was conservative yet aging gracefully, with adaptive front lighting and a light bar across the grille for nighttime illumination. The interior featured Storm Gray leather upholstery, artificial wood trim, and soft-touch materials, creating an upscale feel. However, the touch-sensing controls on the steering wheel and climate panel were less user-friendly, often causing distractions. Despite these quirks, the Tiguan's cabin was spacious, with ample legroom and headroom, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus offered a choice between a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, and a more powerful twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine producing 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque in the Black Label trim. The V6 engine required all-wheel drive and was an option on the Nautilus Reserve. The SUV featured Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with the adaptive suspension adjusting accordingly. The Nautilus excelled on long road trips, providing a quiet and comfortable ride, thanks to its massaging and heated seats. It achieved an average of 25 mpg over 871.1 miles, with a maximum range of 450 miles on the highway.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan came equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, while the SEL R-Line trim included all-wheel drive with 4Motion. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, along with Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad settings for the AWD system. The Tiguan's powertrain was adequate for most driving situations, but it lacked the punch needed for quick overtakes. It averaged 22.6 mpg during testing, with some road noise entering the cabin. Despite its powertrain quirks, the Tiguan's dynamic qualities were rewarding, with excellent tire grip and a stable, predictable feel on winding roads.

Inside the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label, occupants enjoyed smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet ride, thanks to Active Noise Control and acoustic glass. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with optional 22-way power adjustments and massage programs. However, rear-seat legroom was tight for a midsize SUV. The Nautilus offered 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 68.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. Storage space was adequate, though some compartments were hard to access.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan provided a roomy interior, with FWD models offering a third-row seat. The SEL R-Line trim featured comfortable front seats with eight-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. However, the dashboard's touch-sensing controls were less intuitive. The Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space, with generous legroom and headroom in the rear. The hands-free power liftgate revealed a spacious cargo area, with 37.6 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 73.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Tiguan's cargo area was well-designed, with adjustable load floor height and convenient storage features.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 4 software. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The Black Label trim included connected navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The system was user-friendly, with physical stereo and climate controls, and the Revel speakers delivered excellent sound quality. The Phone as a Key feature allowed the smartphone to function as a digital key.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan came with digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line trim featuring a 10.25-inch display. The infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, and a nine-speaker Fender audio system. However, the system's user interface was complex, with sub-menus appearing unexpectedly. The voice-recognition system was not fully functional in the test vehicle, limiting its usefulness. Despite these challenges, the Tiguan's technology offered a range of features, though it required acclimation to navigate effectively.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came equipped with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The Black Label trim added Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, and a surround-view camera system. The Nautilus received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rating for rollover resistance.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard Front Assist and Side Assist, with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The IQ.Drive package, standard on most trims, added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and more. The Tiguan's safety technology was effective and user-friendly. However, the NHTSA's crash-test ratings were incomplete, and the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating did not apply for the 2023 calendar year.