2023 Lincoln Navigator vs 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator continued to impress with its luxurious design and spacious interior, despite not undergoing significant updates since its last refresh in 2022. The test vehicle, a triple-black Navigator Reserve model, showcased a sleek Monochromatic Package with black 22-inch wheels and body-color trim, although keeping it clean proved challenging. Inside, the cabin exuded an upscale feel with quality materials, real wood trim panels, and chrome accents, although some chrome plastic switchgear detracted from the overall luxury. The ambient lighting in the Reserve I package added a touch of character, enhancing the Navigator's sophisticated atmosphere.

In contrast, the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a more modern and stylish exterior, with LED headlights and taillights standard across the lineup. The SEL R-Line trim, which was tested, featured an illuminated grille light line and silver roof rails, adding to its premium appearance. The Tiguan's design was more refined compared to its non-European rivals, although the configurator's limitations on color and material combinations could be frustrating. The interior offered a comfortable ride, with the SEL R-Line trim providing real leather upholstery, front-seat ventilation, and a heated steering wheel, although the seating surfaces were notably firm.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was powered by 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 drivetrain, the Navigator offered five driving modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions. Despite its adaptive damping suspension, the Navigator's ride quality was inconsistent, with a truck-like feel over smaller bumps and a tendency to float over larger dips. The Excite mode improved handling on winding roads but negatively impacted fuel efficiency, with the SUV averaging 15.6 mpg on a Southern California testing loop.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan, on the other hand, featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. The eight-speed automatic transmission provided a more traditional driving experience compared to the common CVTs. The Tiguan's AWD system, available for an additional cost, slightly reduced fuel economy but improved handling. The SEL R-Line trim offered a mixed driving experience, with inconsistent power delivery and a touchy gas pedal. However, the Tiguan's light steering and good visibility made it feel more maneuverable, and the ride was generally comfortable, with road noise kept to a minimum.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, offering spacious seating across all three rows and a generous cargo area. The test vehicle featured Lincoln's 30-way Perfect Position power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage, although finding the perfect adjustment proved challenging. The second-row captain's chairs provided ample room and easy access to the third row, where even taller adults could sit comfortably. The Navigator's storage space was abundant, with various trays and compartments throughout the cabin. For those needing extra cargo space, the extended-length Navigator L model offered significantly more room behind the third row.

In comparison, the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan's interior space varied depending on the drivetrain. The AWD-only SEL R-Line trim offered two rows of seating, providing 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place. The FWD models, which could seat seven, sacrificed cargo space for the third row, offering just 12 cubic feet behind it. Despite the reduced cargo space, passenger comfort remained largely unaffected, with ample headroom and legroom in the first two rows. The Tiguan's third row, however, was notably tighter, making it less suitable for adults on longer journeys.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a range of digital displays, including a 12-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Sync 4 infotainment system offered wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a navigation system with enhanced voice recognition. The test vehicle also included a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System, providing an immersive audio experience. However, the wireless smartphone charger tended to overheat devices, and the Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system went unused by teenage passengers.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan's infotainment system relied on an 8-inch center touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SEL R-Line trim featured the fully configurable 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro screen, offering up to four views. The base Tiguan S had a smaller 6.5-inch touchscreen and fewer USB-C ports. The nine-speaker Fender Premium Audio System in the SEL R-Line trim received positive feedback, although the monochromatic graphics of the infotainment system felt out of place in the otherwise stylish vehicle. The haptic touch slider buttons for climate control were responsive, but the physical volume knob's design was less user-friendly.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator came equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 and available Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 Drive packages. The BlueCruise hands-free driving assist system allowed for semi-autonomous driving on designated highways, although it struggled with curves and construction zones. The Navigator received a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA, but a full crashworthiness assessment was not available.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan earned a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, and its safety features improved for 2024 with the standard inclusion of the IQ.DRIVE suite. This package offered adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, and semi-autonomous highway driving capabilities. Additional safety features included rain-sensing wipers, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision warning with pedestrian detection. The Park Distance Control system, standard on the SE R-Line Black trim, was found to be somewhat intrusive, but it could be permanently deactivated.