2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a refined and conservative design that stood out among its competitors. Its updated front styling aligned it with Volkswagen's larger models, featuring a restyled grille with the new VW logo and standard LED headlights. The Tiguan's exterior was complemented by redesigned aluminum wheels and new nameplate lettering on the rear liftgate. In Canada, the Tiguan was available in four trim levels, all with standard 4Motion AWD, and prices ranged from $33,395 to $43,395. The Highline R-Line trim, with its sportier look and Atlantic Blue Metallic paint, offered a sophisticated appearance. Inside, the Tiguan Highline R-Line boasted a luxurious cabin with leather upholstery, new technology, and ambient lighting, although the lower half of the cabin revealed its mass-market status with hard plastic materials. Standard features included heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and keyless entry, with additional options like a panoramic sunroof available.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, exuded elegance and understatement despite its massive size. Its styling featured simple rectilinear shapes, a body-colour grille, and full-width taillights, with chrome accents adding a touch of class. The Pristine White model with a white-painted grille and black wheels was particularly striking. Inside, the Navigator impressed with its seven colour palettes and attention to detail, such as the layered wood trim and floating centre console. The Perfect Position seats offered 30 different adjustments, providing exceptional comfort. While the Navigator's materials and panel gaps were of high quality, it lacked some of the advanced features found in competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. Nevertheless, the Navigator's spacious and luxurious interior made it a compelling choice for those seeking refinement and power.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 221 lb-ft of torque at 1,900 rpm. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and 4Motion AWD, the Tiguan offered a range of driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual, along with Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad settings. Despite its enjoyable driving experience, the Tiguan's engine exhibited some turbo lag, and its fuel efficiency was rated at 9.8 L/100 km in combined driving. The Tiguan's ride and handling were nimble and responsive, but it lacked the outright fun factor for more spirited driving.

In contrast, the 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a powerful twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering an impressive 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD, provided the Navigator with remarkable acceleration and towing capacity of 3,765 kilograms. While its fuel efficiency was not its strong suit, the Navigator excelled in highway refinement and power. The adaptive dampers offered a comfortable ride, although the suspension felt less sophisticated compared to competitors. The Navigator's steering and brakes lacked the precision of the Cadillac Escalade, but its overall refinement and power made it a standout choice for those prioritizing highway comfort.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a spacious interior, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs, with an optional third row. The Highline R-Line trim provided comfortable leather-wrapped front seats with power adjustments, excellent visibility, and a panoramic sunroof. The second row was roomy, accommodating adults and children alike, with rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard proved challenging to use. Cargo space was generous, with up to 2,078 litres available in the two-row configuration.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator boasted a cavernous interior, capable of seating six adults comfortably. The second row featured manually reclining captain's chairs, with an optional bench for up to eight passengers. Cargo space was ample, with 546 litres behind the third row, 1,627 litres behind the second, and 2,925 litres in total. The Navigator Reserve trim included heated rear seats and a three-zone climate system. The front seats were exceptionally comfortable, with numerous adjustments and massage programs. Visibility was excellent, although parking could be challenging due to its size.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came equipped with standard digital gauges, with the Highline R-Line featuring a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen, offered connected services, smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM radio. However, the voice recognition system was disappointing. The Highline R-Line trim included a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender audio system. Park Assist was available for autonomous parking.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which felt outdated compared to competitors. While it offered Bluetooth and SiriusXM radio, it lacked wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system was good but not exceptional. The software was intuitive, with fast voice recognition, but lacked onboard apps and wireless updates. The Navigator included wireless device charging and a rear entertainment system with Roku streaming.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan included standard safety features such as Front Assist and Side Assist. Travel Assist, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assistance, was available, although its touch-sensing controls were challenging to use. Emergency Assist was another important upgrade, bringing the Tiguan to a stop if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received five stars overall from the NHTSA, with four stars for rollover resistance. It included standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was optional, but the Navigator's self-steering capabilities were not as advanced as competitors.