2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan distinguished itself among its rivals with understated elegance. Unlike some of its competitors that bordered on the unattractive, the Tiguan featured a creased, folded, and symmetrical design that leaned toward conservatism. This approach, while not emotion-evoking, matured well over time. For 2022, the Tiguan showcased refreshed front styling, aligning it with Volkswagen’s larger Atlas models. A restyled grille with the new VW logo and an available illuminated grille bar added a touch of modernity. LED headlights became standard, the rear liftgate received new nameplate lettering, and redesigned aluminum wheels adorned all models.

Volkswagen simplified the Tiguan lineup to S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line trim, with prices ranging from $25,995 to $36,995. The destination charge from VW’s Puebla, Mexico, factory was $1,195. Our SEL R-Line test vehicle, featuring standard 4Motion AWD and an accessory cargo cover, totaled $37,970 MSRP. The sportier R-Line models, with the SE R-Line Black offering a trendy blackout appearance, stood out. The Atlantic Blue Metallic paint option, especially on the SEL R-Line, complemented its machined-surface 18-inch alloy wheels well.

Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line boasted a sophisticated cabin with perforated and piped leather upholstery, new technological touches, and ambient cabin lighting in 15 colors. Metallic accents added to the upscale ambiance, although hard plastic in the lower cabin hinted at its mass-market stature. Notably, keyless entry and push-button start became standard across the lineup, with remote engine starting available from the SE trim. New interior color options and a panoramic glass sunroof provided added style choices.

Overall, the updated 2022 Tiguan maintained its aesthetic appeal while injecting fresh elements to stay competitive in the market.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator transcended its past resemblance to a dressed-up Ford Expedition, offering an identity distinctly its own. Despite sharing its side glass and overall footprint with the Expedition, the Navigator impressed with unique elements, convincing even luxury car owners of its worth. Priced at $92,000 MSRP for the Navigator Reserve trim, it stood as a testament to Ford's craftsmanship without feeling like a typical Ford product.

Elegance and understatement were the themes Lincoln pursued, a challenging feat for a massive SUV riding on 22-inch wheels. Rectangular shapes defined the grille, windows, and lighting assemblies, complemented by splashes of chrome on door trims, grille, and fender logos. The Pristine White variant featured a body-color grille, black wheels, and illuminated Lincoln logo, making it an ideal choice for snowy conditions. The Navigator's small light show upon locking/unlocking added to its charm.

Inside, a decidedly plush environment awaited. Offering seven color palettes, the interior showed a keen eye for detail, from the wood trim layered behind the touchscreen to the chromed switches on the floating center console. Materials used were excellent, and the panel gaps were tight. Black Label trims elevated the luxury with unique textures and softer leathers, along with bold color combinations.

The Perfect Position seats, with 30-way adjustments, provided an unparalleled level of comfort. While the Navigator competed in the large SUV segment, it offered a level of refinement that few could match.

In summary, the 2021 Lincoln Navigator combined sheer size with refined aesthetics, promising a luxurious experience for buyers.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its existing powertrain, a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 184 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque starting at 1,900 rpm. The engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, driving the front wheels unless upgraded to VW’s 4Motion AWD system. This system could direct up to half the power to the rear wheels, enhancing traction as needed, and disconnected the rear axle when AWD wasn’t required to conserve fuel.

Drivers could select between Eco, Normal, Sport, and customizable Individual driving modes, with all trims featuring this capability for 2022. Models with 4Motion offered additional Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad settings. The Tiguan's Hill Descent Control, operating up to 19 mph, was handy in Offroad mode, though the 7.6-inch ground clearance limited its off-road prowess.

Featuring MacPherson struts up front and multi-link independent rear suspension, the Tiguan provided stable handling. The SUV used 13.4-inch vented front discs and 11.8-inch solid rear discs, with variable assist steering that lightened at low speeds and firmed up on highways.

A delayed torque response at low speeds suggested some turbo lag, requiring caution when accelerating from a stop. However, once past this, the Tiguan proved enjoyable to drive. Fuel economy, rated at 24 mpg combined by the EPA for the R-Line with 4Motion, was modest—our test averaged 24.7 mpg in Malibu, California.

Despite good communication between the driver and the SUV, the Tiguan didn’t excel under aggressive driving, with tires and suspension not aligning for high performance. While this might not bother the average consumer, dedicated Volkswagen enthusiasts might have expected more from the engine's performance.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator’s performance was powered by a remarkable twin-turbo V6 engine, borrowed from the Ford Raptor. This 3.5-liter engine produced an impressive 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, delivering a swift and responsive driving experience. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Navigator offered both RWD and 4WD options. The 4WD system switched smoothly between RWD and 4WD High, unlike some of its GM competitors.

Towing capacity was substantial, with 8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models. Despite its power, fuel economy was predictably low, matching large V8 engines from GM with an average in the teens, aligning with the EPA’s 17 mpg combined rating (16 city, 20 highway).

Standard adaptive dampers ensured a decent ride, though the suspension wasn’t as advanced as the Escalade’s magnetic shocks and air springs. Over rough roads, the Navigator sometimes exhibited harsh responses, and the steering and brakes felt less precise than Cadillac’s offerings. Still, the Navigator excelled on highways, thanks to its powerful engine and quiet, plush cabin. Paddle shifters further contributed to a sporty feel, enhancing driving performance.

As one of the largest compact crossovers, the 2022 VW Tiguan offered spacious interiors comparable to smaller midsize SUVs like the Chevrolet Blazer and Hyundai Santa Fe. Unique among its competitors, front-wheel-drive Tiguans included a third-row seat, though this was excluded in 4Motion models.

Our SEL R-Line provided exceptional comfort with leather-wrapped front seats featuring eight-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The panoramic glass sunroof and excellent outward visibility added to the roomy feel. The second row was also spacious, accommodating adults comfortably—including those with reverse-facing child safety seats. Rear air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and ample storage space made it a family-friendly option.

Notable for 2022 was the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard, adding sophistication but introducing usability challenges. Traditional buttons and knobs were easier to operate, and the new controls could be distracting at first.

Cargo space remained impressive, though third-row seat models saw reduced capacity. With the third row in place, there were 12 cubic feet available. Folding it down provided 33 cubic feet, and maximum cargo volume was 65.5 cubic feet. Our 4Motion model surpassed these figures, offering 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 73.4 cubic feet overall, rivaling midsize SUVs in cargo capability.

The Navigator's interior was spacious, akin to a small bedroom. Its tall boxy design comfortably seated six adults, with the seven-passenger configuration making the third-row middle seat best suited for children. The second row featured manually reclining and tilting captain's chairs, with an optional bench seat increasing capacity to eight.

Cargo space was abundant—19 cubic feet behind the third row, 57 behind the second, and a total of 103 cubic feet. Those needing more could opt for the long-wheelbase Navigator L, which increased volumes to 34, 73, and 120 cubic feet respectively. The rear glass opened separately from the tailgate, allowing convenient access when the cargo area was full.

Our Navigator Reserve’s second row had heated seats and three-zone climate control. Although lacking third-row heated seats and side window shades offered by some German competitors, its front seats were exceedingly comfortable. These seats boasted 30-way adjustments including thigh extensions and bolsters, separate backrest controls, and massage functions. Visibility was excellent from the high driving position, although parking this massive SUV required finesse. The 360-degree cameras were somewhat grainy, underscoring the need for careful maneuvering.

The 2022 Tiguan came standard with digital instrumentation, termed Digital Cockpit, with an 8-inch display in most models. SEL R-Line trim featured the enhanced Digital Cockpit Pro with a 10.25-inch display. The MIB3 infotainment system, absent in the base S model, offered an 8-inch touchscreen with vibrant graphics. This system included standard Car-Net connected services, App-Connect smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. SEL R-Line models additionally provided a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system.

However, the natural voice recognition feature fell short without the required Plus Speech upgrade, which had to be combined with an active Car-Net Hotspot subscription. This additional service cost nine dollars yearly, and thus during our testing, certain commands remained unresponsive due to lack of activation. Plugging in a smartphone to utilize Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, or MirrorLink proved more reliable.

Car-Net's Remote Access plan offered complimentary five-year subscription, facilitating remote engine start, door lock operation, location tracking, and setting Family Guardian alerts. The Safe & Secure upgrade covered automatic crash notifications and emergency assistance, while the Hotspot plan enabled a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Subscribing to all Car-Net services added an extra $250 annually.

Furthermore, the 2022 Tiguan featured an available Park Assist system for autonomous parking in parallel or perpendicular spaces, standard on the SEL R-Line.

While the Navigator’s 10-inch touchscreen seemed adequate, it paled in comparison to Cadillac’s more advanced displays. The Navigator's system lacked the capability to show full-screen maps or varied designs, and its cameras delivered lower resolution. Furthermore, the infotainment couldn’t wirelessly connect to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and the 20-speaker Revel Ultima stereo, though good, wasn’t exceptional.

Despite these drawbacks, the software remained intuitive with a unique Lincoln skin distinct from Ford’s interface. The response from the system could be slightly slow, yet navigation was clear and voice recognition accurate. Onboard apps and wireless software updates were absent, requiring external WiFi.

Nevertheless, the Navigator provided onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, a smartwatch app, and the ability to use a smartphone as an ignition key. Lincoln’s remote app functions were complimentary for five years, with six years of SiriusXM traffic data. Rear-seat entertainment included Roku streaming among other connection options. Switching between drive modes triggered appealing animations on the instrument panel.

For 2022, the base Tiguan S included Front Assist, which comprised forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, along with Side Assist featuring blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Upgraded IQ Drive systems introduced Travel Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering at speeds over 40 mph, and Emergency Assist to safely stop the SUV if the driver became unresponsive.

Travel Assist required careful engagement due to touch-sensitive controls, with proper usage ensuring functionality. Emergency Assist, activated with Travel Assist, provided progressive warnings before taking over the vehicle if the driver failed to respond.

The Tiguan received the IIHS “Top Safety Pick” rating for 2021, and standard LED headlights and driver aids would likely sustain or improve this rating for 2022.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator achieved a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, excelling in every category except rollover resistance—four stars for 4WD and three stars for RWD models. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety hadn’t rated the current generation. Lacking knee airbags, the Navigator offered optional inflatable second-row seat belts intended to reduce chest injuries.

Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic high beams. Although adaptive cruise control was available, it didn’t match competitors in terms of self-steering and lane-tracking capability.