2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a conservative yet timeless design, distinguishing itself from its often less attractive competitors. Its refreshed exterior featured new front styling that aligned with Volkswagen's larger models, a restyled grille with the new VW logo, and standard LED headlights. The Tiguan's interior was equally impressive, offering a rich cabin with leather upholstery, ambient lighting, and metallic accents, although the lower half's hard plastic hinted at its mass-market status. The R-Line models added a sportier look, with the Comfortline R-Line Black Edition offering a trendy blacked-out appearance. The Highline R-Line trim, in particular, stood out with its Atlantic Blue Metallic paint and 20-inch wheels, providing a sophisticated and upscale appearance.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, on the other hand, exuded character with its detailed styling and luxurious interior. The Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence added a touch of elegance, while the light grey premium leather upholstery in the test vehicle enhanced the sense of luxury. Despite its decadent appeal, some elements like the centre console design and chrome-plated plastic pieces appeared less refined. The Nautilus Reserve, the sole model available in Canada, offered a high level of comfort with optional Ultra Comfort 22-way power-adjustable front seats, perfect for long drives. The overall design and features of the Nautilus made it an attractive choice for those seeking a blend of style and comfort.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This power was managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission and VW's 4Motion AWD system, which could decouple the rear axle to save fuel. The Tiguan offered various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual, along with Offroad settings. Despite its nimble handling, the Tiguan's performance was somewhat limited by its engine's delayed torque delivery, resulting in momentary turbo lag. Fuel efficiency was a highlight, with an average of 9.5 L/100 km during testing, although the ride and handling were best suited for normal driving situations.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. An optional twin-turbocharged 2.7-litre V6 engine offered 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, enhancing performance. The Nautilus featured Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with the adaptive suspension adjusting accordingly. The V6 engine provided a fuel consumption rating of 11.2 L/100 km in combined driving, with a maximum range of 730 kilometres. The Nautilus excelled as a road-tripper, offering a quiet and comfortable ride, although the steering lacked engagement. Its performance was unexpectedly graceful, especially on mountain roads, with the V6 engine delivering impressive power.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among compact crossover SUVs with its spacious interior, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. The Highline R-Line trim offered exceptional comfort with leather-wrapped, power-adjustable front seats and excellent outward visibility. The second row provided ample headroom and legroom, accommodating adults and children alike. 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, although the optional third row compromised storage capacity.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus offered a luxurious interior with smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with optional 22-way power adjustments and massage programs for added comfort. Rear passengers enjoyed heated seats and air conditioning vents, although legroom was tight for a midsize SUV. Practical storage space was adequate, with a hands-free power liftgate revealing a well-finished luggage compartment. The Nautilus provided 1,055 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 1,948 litres with the back seat folded down.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard digital gauges, with the Highline R-Line offering a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, available on most trims, included an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, and smartphone mirroring. The Highline R-Line added a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system. However, the natural voice recognition system was disappointing, and the Park Assist system was standard on the Highline R-Line trim.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 4 software. This system offered over-the-air updates, Bluetooth, wireless smartphone integration, and a 19-speaker Revel premium audio system. The intuitive user interface and natural voice recognition system enhanced the driving experience. The Nautilus also featured Phone as a Key, allowing the smartphone to function as a digital key.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came equipped with standard safety features, including Front Assist and Side Assist. Travel Assist and Emergency Assist were available, enhancing the Tiguan's advanced driving assistance systems. The 2021 Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model's standard LED headlights and driver aids aimed to improve this score.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus included the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0 suite of driver-assist features, with the Black Label adding Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus. This package offered adaptive cruise control, lane-centring assistance, and a surround-view camera system. The Nautilus received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was rated as a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.