2023 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a conservative yet timeless design, distinguishing itself from its often less attractive competitors. With a refreshed exterior, it aligned more closely with Volkswagen's larger models, featuring a restyled grille, standard LED headlights, and redesigned aluminum wheels. The Tiguan's interior offered a sophisticated appearance with leather upholstery, ambient lighting, and metallic accents, though the lower half's hard plastic hinted at its mass-market status. The SUV's lineup was simplified, offering various trims with both FWD and AWD options, and prices ranging from $25,995 to $36,995.

In contrast, the 2023 Lincoln Navigator maintained its luxurious appeal without significant updates since its last refresh in 2022. The test vehicle, a triple-black Navigator Reserve model, featured a Monochromatic Package with black 22-inch wheels and body-color trim. Inside, the Navigator's cabin exuded luxury with real wood trim and chrome accents, though some switchgear failed to convey the same level of opulence. The ambient lighting added character, and the Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system, though impressive, went largely unused by passengers.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels, with an optional 4Motion AWD system available. The Tiguan offered various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual, with additional settings for AWD models. Despite its enjoyable drive, the Tiguan's engine exhibited some turbo lag, and its fuel economy was rated at 24 mpg combined. The SUV's ride and handling were satisfactory for everyday driving but lacked excitement for more spirited driving.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a robust twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and 4WD, the Navigator offered five driving modes, including Conserve, Normal, and Excite. The adaptive damping suspension, however, failed to provide a smooth ride, with the SUV feeling truck-like over smaller bumps. In Excite mode, the Navigator's performance improved, but fuel efficiency suffered. The SUV's size posed challenges in urban environments, and its nearly three-ton curb weight tested the brakes on mountain roads.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among compact crossovers with its spacious interior, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. The SEL R-Line model offered comfortable leather seats with power adjustments, excellent visibility, and a panoramic sunroof. The second row provided ample space for adults and children, while cargo capacity was generous, especially in AWD models, with up to 73.4 cubic feet of space.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, offering roomy seating in all three rows and an extended body style for increased cargo capacity. The test vehicle featured 30-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage, though finding the perfect position proved challenging. Storage space was abundant, and the Navigator L model provided even more cargo room, making it ideal for carrying both passengers and luggage.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came equipped with standard digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line featuring a 10.25-inch display. The MIB3 infotainment system offered an 8-inch touchscreen, smartphone mirroring, and a premium audio system. However, the natural voice recognition system required additional subscriptions to function properly. The Tiguan also offered a Park Assist system for autonomous parking.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator boasted a 12-inch digital instrumentation display, a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System. The Sync 4 system included wireless smartphone integration and an enhanced voice recognition system, which performed well during testing. The Navigator also featured Lincoln Play for rear-seat entertainment, though it went unused by passengers.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan included standard safety features such as Front Assist and Side Assist. The IQ Drive system added Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, enhancing the SUV's safety capabilities. The 2021 Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model's improvements aimed to maintain or improve this rating.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was equipped with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 and Co-Pilot360 2.0 Drive packages, offering advanced safety features like Evasive Steering Assist and Intersection Assist. BlueCruise, a hands-free driving system, was also available, though it required driver intervention in certain situations. The Navigator received a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA.