2021 Lincoln Aviator vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among its competitors with a design that was both creased and symmetrical, leaning towards a conservative aesthetic. This approach, while not overly emotional, appealed to fans of simplicity and minimalism, ensuring the vehicle aged gracefully. The refreshed front styling aligned the Tiguan with Volkswagen’s larger models, featuring a new grille with the updated VW logo and available illuminated grille bar. Standard LED headlights, new nameplate lettering, and redesigned aluminum wheels added to its appeal. The Tiguan lineup was simplified into S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line trims, with prices ranging from $25,995 to $36,995, plus a $1,195 destination charge. The SEL R-Line test vehicle, priced at $37,970, showcased a sportier look with Atlantic Blue Metallic paint and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line boasted a richer cabin with perforated and piped leather upholstery, new technology, touch-sensing controls, and ambient lighting in 15 colors. Metallic accents added an upscale touch, though hard plastic in the lower cabin hinted at its mass-market status. Standard features included keyless entry, push-button start, and heated front seats, with remote start available from the SE trim. New interior colors and a panoramic sunroof were also options. Overall, the 2022 Tiguan retained its great looks while adding extra flair, keeping it fresh until a full redesign.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator, carrying over from its 2020 debut, nailed its styling with crisp lines and chrome accents, avoiding the temptation to emulate rivals. The Aviator’s design language, borrowed from the larger Navigator, was sharp and benefited from heavy chrome use. Inside, the Aviator differentiated itself from its Ford counterpart with a cabin defined by comfort and warmth, featuring soft-touch materials and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The piano button shifter, though less intuitive than a traditional lever, was sensibly laid out. Soothing chimes replaced typical alerts, enhancing the luxury feel.

Trims included Standard, Reserve, Grand Touring, Black Label, and Black Label Grand Touring. The Standard trim offered synthetic leather, tri-zone climate control, and a power liftgate. The Reserve added upgraded leather, four-zone climate control, and a 12-speaker Revel stereo. The Grand Touring, with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, included adaptive headlights and massaging front seats. The Black Label trims added features like a head-up display and a 28-speaker Revel Ultima sound system. The rear seat area in the Grand Touring trim featured multiple USB ports, power outlets, and a digital control panel for rear settings. However, the power-button door releases raised concerns about functionality if the battery died.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque at 1,900 rpm. An eight-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels, with an optional 4Motion AWD system that could send up to half the power to the rear wheels. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, with additional Offroad settings for AWD models. Despite its 7.6 inches of ground clearance, the Tiguan was best suited for well-traveled paths. The MacPherson struts and multi-link rear suspension, along with variable assist steering, provided a nimble and responsive drive. However, the engine’s torque arrived later than some turbocharged engines, causing momentary turbo lag. The Tiguan’s fuel economy was rated at 24 mpg combined, with our test drive averaging 24.7 mpg. While enjoyable to drive, the Tiguan’s performance could benefit from more power.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine in Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission powered either the rear or all four wheels. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims added a plug-in hybrid configuration, boosting output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque, with a 21-mile electric range. The hybrid powertrain provided brisk acceleration, though the Aviator’s heft resulted in noticeable body roll in corners. The drive mode selector offered modes like “Excite” and “Conserve,” reflecting the Aviator’s suitability for highways and cul-de-sacs rather than city driving.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan, a giant among compact crossovers, offered spacious interiors comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. FWD models included a standard third-row seat, while AWD models did not. The SEL R-Line featured leather-wrapped, eight-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, excellent outward visibility, and a panoramic sunroof. The roomy second row accommodated adults and children, with rear air conditioning vents and a USB port. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard proved harder to use. Cargo space was among the best in its class, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded in AWD models.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator provided 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats down. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free option available. The second row, especially in the Grand Touring trim, featured captain's chairs, a center console, and a digital control panel for seat, climate, and audio controls. However, the power-button door releases raised concerns about functionality if the battery died.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came standard with digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line featuring a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen, standard Car-Net services, and smartphone mirroring, was available in all but the base S trim. The SEL R-Line included a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender audio system. However, the natural voice recognition feature required a Plus Speech upgrade and an active Car-Net Hotspot subscription. Car-Net offered Remote Access, Safe & Secure, and Hotspot plans, with additional features available for a fee. The Tiguan also offered an available Park Assist system.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen with the Sync 3 infotainment system, offering a sensible menu layout and redundant controls. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were well-presented on the screen. The Aviator also included a fully digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display with crisp graphics.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan included standard Front Assist and Side Assist on the base S trim. The IQ Drive collection added Travel Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, and Emergency Assist, which could safely stop the vehicle if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS, with improvements expected for 2022.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added reverse automatic braking, self-parking, and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator earned top marks from the NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.