2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan had a design that stood out for its simplicity and minimalism amidst a market full of visually complex competitors. It featured a creased and symmetrical design, veering towards a conservative look that aged gracefully. The facelift for 2022 brought new front styling, including a restyled grille with the updated VW logo and an optional illuminated grille bar. Standard LED headlights, redesigned aluminum wheels, and new rear liftgate lettering added to the refreshed appearance. The Tiguan's lineup comprised four trims: S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line, available in both FWD and AWD configurations, with prices ranging from $25,995 to $36,995. Our tested SEL R-Line, featuring the standard 4Motion AWD and additional accessories, came to $37,970 MSRP.

The R-Line trims had a sportier aesthetic, with the SE R-Line Black showcasing a modern blacked-out appearance. The Atlantic Blue Metallic paint on our evaluation model, combined with machined-surface 18-inch alloy wheels, resulted in an exterior that was both stylish and refined.

Inside the SEL R-Line, the Tiguan offered a richer cabin with perforated and piped leather upholstery, new technology such as touch-sensing steering wheel and climate controls, and ambient lighting with a choice of 15 colors. The interior exuded an upscale feel, accented by metallic trims, although the extensive use of hard plastics reminded one of its mass-market roots.

Compared to the Tiguan, the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus presented itself as an attractive and well-balanced SUV, particularly in its Black Label trim with 21-inch machined-finish wheels. The Nautilus' design boasted enough detailing to give it character without appearing overly ornate. A signature Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence welcomed drivers after dark, and the Black Label interiors offered two distinct themes: Chalet and Flight. Our test vehicle's Chalet theme featured light gray premium leather upholstery, while the Flight theme presented a classy Luggage Tan color.

The Black Label trim was decadent, boasting a simulated suede headliner, luxury floor mats, and high-end materials throughout, although some chrome-plated plastic pieces looked less premium. The Nautilus' MSRP began at $44,225, with the Black Label starting at $66,825. Our test vehicle, equipped with Ultra Comfort 22-way power front seats with Active Motion massage, was priced at $68,325. These seats were particularly appreciated during a 14-hour round-trip drive, providing unmatched comfort and support.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its previous powertrain setup, utilizing a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 184 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 221 lb-ft of torque at 1,900 rpm. Power was transferred to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, with an optional 4Motion AWD system available. This AWD system could channel up to 50% of power to the rear wheels when needed, while automatically decoupling to improve fuel efficiency when not.

Drivers had access to Eco, Normal, Sport, and programmable Individual driving modes, standard across all trims for 2022. With 4Motion, the Active Control system included Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad settings. In Offroad mode, the Hill Descent Control system was operational up to 19 mph, though the 7.6-inch ground clearance and shallow approach angles suggested keeping the Tiguan on more predictable paths. The SUV employed MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link independent rear suspension in the back, with variable assist steering that adjusted based on speed. Despite some turbo lag from a stop and somewhat average fuel economy—24 mpg combined as per the EPA—the Tiguan felt nimble and enjoyable in routine driving scenarios.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus offered more formidable powertrain options. The base and Reserve trims featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, providing 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. FWD was standard, with AWD as an option, and both configurations paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The Black Label trim and the AWD variant of the Reserve trim offered a sportier twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine, churning out 335 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain required AWD and came with adaptive suspension that adjusted according to Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes. During a test drive, Sport mode made the steering too weighty and Comfort mode felt overly soft, though Normal mode provided a well-balanced driving experience.

With a sizable 18-gallon fuel tank, the Nautilus with the V6 engine had an EPA-rated 21 mpg combined, achieving around 25 mpg on highway trips. Over a long-distance drive, the Nautilus was a superb companion, offering a plush and tranquil driving experience with advanced features like a massaging driver's seat and heated steering wheel lending added comfort.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among compact SUVs for its expansive interior, comparable to smaller midsized SUVs like the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento. Offering sufficient space for adult passengers in the second row and even installing a standard third-row seat in FWD models, it provided versatility not often seen in its class.

Our SEL R-Line test vehicle had genuinely comfortable front seats wrapped in leather, with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The option for a tall driving position and excellent outward visibility added to the comfort, alongside the ample light from the panoramic sunroof. The rear seats were similarly comfortable and spacious, with added amenities like rear AC vents and USB charging ports making it practical for family usage.

The Tiguan's cargo space was among the best in its class. Our AWD model provided 37.6 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, expandable to 73.4 cubic feet with the seats folded down, surpassing many midsize rivals.

By comparison, the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, especially in the Black Label trim, exuded luxury with its high-quality materials, ambient lighting, and quiet cabin facilitated by Active Noise Control and acoustic glass. The front seats were heated and ventilated and the steering wheel was power-adjustable and heated. The recommended 22-way power-adjustable front seats with massage functions added a layer of unparalleled comfort.

In the rear, heated outboard seats and air-conditioning vents enhanced passenger comfort, although the legroom was surprisingly tight for a midsize SUV. Storage space was adequate but not particularly impressive as some storage compartments were hard to access.

Cargo capacity in the Nautilus was decent but fell short compared to the Tiguan’s AWD model. It offered 37.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and a maximum of 68.8 cubic feet when the rear seats were folded down.

For 2022, the Volkswagen Tiguan included standard digital instrumentation called Digital Cockpit, with an 8-inch display for most trims and a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro in the SEL R-Line. The MIB3 infotainment system, available in all but the base trim, featured an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, App-Connect smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The SEL R-Line’s system included a redesigned navigation setup and a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system.

The natural voice recognition feature, part of the MIB3, proved underwhelming during testing. It required a Plus Speech upgrade via a Car-Net Hotspot subscription, a downside considering many rivals include similar features as standard.

Additionally, Car-Net subscription options such as Remote Access, Safe & Secure, or Hotspot plans provided varying benefits, from engine remote start to 4G LTE Wi-Fi. The 2022 Tiguan also came with available semi-autonomous Park Assist with the SEL R-Line trim.

On the other hand, the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus boasted a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen running Sync 4 software, paired with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. Sync 4 allowed for over-the-air updates, ensuring the system stayed current. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services, and SiriusXM 360L radio. Our Black Label test vehicle featured a 19-speaker Revel audio system, wireless smartphone charging, and connected navigation.

An intuitive user interface, along with physical stereo and climate controls, made for a user-friendly experience. The natural voice recognition worked effectively, and the Revel audio system produced top-notch sound.

Lincoln also offered Phone as a Key, transforming your smartphone into a digital key, a convenient feature considering the substantial size of the remote key fob.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan included standard Front Assist (forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection) and Side Assist (blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert). The IQ Drive collection of advanced driving aids added Travel Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, and Emergency Assist, which safely stops the vehicle if the driver becomes unresponsive. The newly added LED headlights and driver aids aimed to improve its safety ratings. The 2021 Tiguan had already earned a “Top Safety Pick” from the IIHS, and it seemed promising that the 2022 version might match or exceed those standards.

Every 2022 Lincoln Nautilus was equipped with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0. This included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams. The Black Label trim added Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, evasive steering assist, a surround-view camera, parking sensors, and semi-autonomous parking.

While we didn't extensively test the semi-autonomous parking, the other systems worked reliably during our drive. The standard rain-sensing wipers were useful in inclement weather, and the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering features were particularly appreciated on long trips.

According to NHTSA, the Nautilus had a five-star overall safety rating, with only the rollover resistance rating at four stars, common among SUVs. The IIHS had not yet rated the 2022 model.