2023 Lincoln Navigator vs 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan maintained its design from the previous year, with the most notable update being the addition of a complimentary five-year Car-Net Safe & Secure connected services plan. Available in S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line trims, the Tiguan's price ranged from $26,950 to $37,680, excluding a $1,295 destination charge. The SEL R-Line trim, priced at $38,975, featured sporty styling and 20-inch machined-finish wheels. Despite offering a variety of exterior and interior color options, the choices were limited by trim level, restricting customization. The Tiguan's design was conservative yet gracefully aging, with features like adaptive front lighting and a light bar across the grille enhancing its appeal. Inside, the cabin was upscale, with quality leather upholstery, artificial wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof, though some materials reflected its lower base price.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, unchanged since its 2022 refresh, awaited a future electric transformation. The test vehicle, a triple-black Navigator Reserve model, featured a Monochromatic Package with black 22-inch wheels and body-color trim. Priced at $104,715, it included a Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system, though it went unused by the test's teenage passengers. The Navigator's interior was predominantly black, with real wood trim and chrome accents. Ambient lighting from the Reserve I package added character at night. While the cabin was upscale, some chrome plastic switchgear detracted from the luxury feel. The Navigator's design emphasized functionality and luxury, with power-deploying running boards and spacious seating across all three rows.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with 4Motion all-wheel drive available. The SEL R-Line trim included AWD as standard, offering various driving modes like Eco, Normal, and Sport, along with Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad settings. The Tiguan averaged 22.6 mpg in testing, slightly below the EPA's 24 mpg estimate. While the turbo-four engine provided adequate power, it struggled at higher revs, and the transmission occasionally stumbled with delayed downshifts. The Tiguan's dynamic qualities were commendable, with excellent tire grip and stable handling, though the brake pedal required more effort than expected. The ride was compliant, offering a good balance between road feel and comfort, despite some road noise and an odd resonance on certain freeways.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission and 4WD. The test vehicle averaged 15.6 mpg, below the EPA's 18 mpg estimate. Drivers could choose from five Lincoln Drive Modes, with an adaptive damping suspension standard. The Navigator's ride quality was inconsistent, with the Reserve trim's 22-inch wheels contributing to a truck-like ride over smaller bumps. Excite mode improved handling on mountain roads but reduced fuel efficiency. The Navigator felt smaller on winding roads, with excellent visibility and impressive grip, though the steering was slow and lifeless. In urban settings, the Navigator's size was a liability, making parking and maneuvering challenging.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a spacious and affordable SUV option, with FWD models featuring a standard third-row seat. The SEL R-Line trim provided comfortable front seats with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. Storage space was generous, though the center armrest bin was small. The dashboard's touch-sensing controls were a usability issue, with reflective gloss black plastic and poorly placed climate controls. The Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space, with large rear door openings and a spacious back seat. The hands-free power liftgate revealed a cavernous cargo area, with 37.6 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 73.4 cubic feet behind the front seats in AWD models.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator emphasized functionality, with roomy seats across all three rows and an available extended body style for increased cargo space. Power-deploying running boards facilitated entry and exit, while the 30-way Perfect Position front seats offered heating, ventilation, and massage. The second-row captain's chairs provided a pass-through to the third row, accommodating taller adults comfortably. Storage space was ample, with various trays and covered compartments. The Navigator L model offered significantly more cargo space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 73.3 cubic feet behind the second row, and 120.2 cubic feet behind the front seats.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured digital instrumentation, with an 8-inch display on most trims and a 10.25-inch display on the SEL R-Line. The infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, and a nine-speaker Fender premium sound system. However, the system's user interface was complex, with multi-layer processes for simple tasks. The voice-recognition system underperformed, likely due to inactive subscriptions. The Tiguan's technology introduced unnecessary complexity and distraction, though the digital instrumentation and infotainment system were visually appealing.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator boasted a 12-inch digital instrumentation display, a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and an available widescreen head-up display. The Sync 4 system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and Alexa Built-in. The digital assistant performed excellently, understanding commands and responding accurately. The 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System provided lush sound, while the Lincoln Way app and Phone As A Key technology allowed for digital key access. The Lincoln Play system offered rear-seat entertainment, though it went unused by the test's teenage passengers.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in safety features, with standard Front Assist and Side Assist, including forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. The IQ.Drive package added adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, Lane Assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. The Tiguan's safety technology worked seamlessly, with minimal false alerts. However, crash-test ratings were incomplete, with concerns about the driver's door unlatching during side-impact tests.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator came equipped with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 and Co-Pilot360 2.0 Drive packages, featuring Evasive Steering Assist, Intersection Assist, and BlueCruise. BlueCruise allowed for hands-free driving on designated highways but required frequent driver intervention. The Navigator's crash-test ratings were incomplete, though it received a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA.