2024 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2025 Lincoln Aviator

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan presented itself as a visually appealing compact SUV, exuding a sense of European sophistication that set it apart from its non-European competitors. Its exterior design, featuring standard LED headlights and taillights, along with an illuminated grille light line on the Highline R-Line trim, contributed to its premium appearance. The model name was prominently displayed in all-caps style at the rear, accompanied by the classic Volkswagen badge. The Trendline trim offered only grayscale colours, while higher trims introduced more vibrant options and diverse interior colourways. Inside, the Tiguan provided a range of seating options, from heated cloth seats in the base Trendline to real leather with front-seat ventilation and memory functions in the Highline R-Line.

In contrast, the 2025 Lincoln Aviator, built on a rear-wheel-drive platform shared with the Ford Explorer, showcased classic design proportions with a blunt nose, short front overhang, and a tapered roofline. While the 2025 styling appeared less elegant than before, the Aviator's interior exuded a classic architectural sensibility. The plush cabin, equipped with electronic door releases, offered a more traditional approach to luxury, avoiding an overload of screens. However, the remote keyless entry fob was criticized for its cheap plastic construction. The Aviator's Phone as a Key technology and touchpad entry system provided modern convenience. In Canada, the Aviator was available in Premiere and Reserve trims, with our test vehicle featuring the Reserve trim and several option packages, resulting in a luxurious and well-equipped SUV.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan came equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it offered a driving experience distinct from the more common continuously variable transmissions. In Canada, the Tiguan featured standard 4Motion all-wheel drive, with fuel economy ratings of 10.6 L/100 km in the city, 8.0 on the highway, and 9.4 combined for non R-Line trims. The R-Line trims had slightly higher consumption figures. During testing, the Tiguan Highline R-Line exhibited inconsistent power delivery, with noticeable turbo and transmission lag. The steering felt light and rubbery, but visibility and handling were commendable, contributing to a maneuverable feel. Road noise was minimal, and the ride was comfortable, though seating surfaces drew some criticism.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator, powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, delivered an impressive 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission. Drivers could choose from various driving modes, including Excite and Normal, with the optional adaptive air suspension enhancing the ride. Despite its power, the Aviator prioritized comfort over excitement, excelling in Normal mode. The V6 provided ample power for acceleration and passing, though fuel economy was less impressive, with observed consumption at 13.3 L/100 km. The Aviator offered excellent visibility, aided by thin windshield pillars and large side mirrors. While the ride quality was generally pleasant, larger bumps and road imperfections were felt due to the 22-inch wheels and thin tires. The Aviator's adaptive Air Glide suspension effectively controlled body motions, ensuring a composed and calming driving experience.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a choice between two-row and three-row configurations, with the latter available as an $800 option in Canada. The two-row Tiguan provided 1,064 litres of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 2,078 litres with the rear seats folded. In the three-row version, cargo space decreased to 340 litres behind the third row, 934 litres with it folded, and 1,849 litres with only the front seats in position. Passenger space remained largely unaffected, with the third row offering 858 mm of headroom and 708 mm of legroom. Despite its compact size, the Tiguan was one of the few vehicles in its class to offer a third row, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator excelled in interior comfort, with available Perfect Position front seats offering 30-way adjustability, heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain's chairs, though less adjustable, were roomy and supportive, with available heating and ventilation. The quad-zone automatic climate control system ensured personalized comfort for all passengers. However, the third-row seats were less accommodating, with low, flat cushions and limited legroom. Storage space was a highlight, with a well-organized centre console, deep door panel pockets, and an optional console between the second-row seats. The Aviator provided 466 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,131 litres with it folded, and a maximum of 2,149 litres, offering practicality for various needs.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan featured haptic touch slider buttons for climate control, which were responsive and easy to use. However, the physical volume knob's integrated on/off button was sensitive and could be frustrating. The infotainment system, accessed through an 8-inch touchscreen, relied on monochromatic graphics, which felt out of place in the stylish vehicle. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, with wireless charging on higher trims. The Digital Cockpit System was standard, with the R-Line trims offering a fully configurable 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro screen. The nine-speaker Fender Premium Audio System received positive feedback from audiophiles.

In the 2025 Lincoln Aviator, a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system provided access to various functions. The Lincoln Digital Experience technology powered the system, featuring Google Built-in and Alexa Built-in, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the Google Assistant struggled with voice prompts in the test vehicle. The 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D sound system delivered exceptional audio quality, complemented by metal speaker grilles with a spiral pattern. The Aviator's head-up display offered a widescreen presentation of data, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan earned a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, reflecting its strong safety credentials. Standard safety features in Canada included forward collision avoidance with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control, lane assist, and Emergency Assist were available on higher trims, providing semi-autonomous highway driving capabilities. Park Distance Control became standard at the Comfortline R-Line Black trim level, though its judgment was sometimes lacking.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator boasted the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Drive 2.0 suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including active blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, intersection assist, evasive steering assist, and reverse braking assist. While the reverse braking assist system required deactivation in certain situations, adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist worked effectively. BlueCruise, a hands-free driving assistance system, was standard, offering a four-year subscription. The Aviator received five-star ratings from the NHTSA and Good ratings from the IIHS, affirming its safety credentials.