2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2023 Lincoln Aviator

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator presented a sophisticated and luxurious appearance, with a focus on comfort and style. It featured a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, available in both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive. The Grand Touring and Black Label Grand Touring models added a hybrid system with a 75-kilowatt electric motor and a 13.6-kilowatt-hour battery pack, offering standard all-wheel drive. Prices ranged from $53,340 to $89,280, with the top-of-the-line Black Label Grand Touring model reaching $91,225. The Aviator's design was generally appealing, though some wheel designs were considered too plain for the price. The interior was lavish, with high-end materials and a focus on Art Deco styling, though some details like chrome switchgear and stitching were less impressive.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan maintained a more conservative yet sporty design, especially in the SEL R-Line trim. It was available in several trims, with prices ranging from $26,950 to $37,680. The SEL R-Line model, priced at $38,975, featured a sporty appearance with 20-inch wheels and adaptive front lighting. The interior was upscale, with quality leather upholstery, artificial wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof. However, the dashboard's touch-sensing controls were criticized for their usability issues. Despite this, the Tiguan offered excellent passenger and cargo space, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring was a plug-in hybrid that delivered impressive performance with its 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque. It offered 21 miles of electric driving range and averaged 23 mpg in hybrid mode. The Aviator featured multiple driving modes, including Pure EV, Preserve EV, Conserve, Normal, and Excite, allowing drivers to optimize efficiency and performance. Despite its added weight, the Aviator handled well, thanks to its Dynamic Handling Package and adaptive-damping Active Glide suspension. However, the drivetrain's unpredictability and inconsistent brake pedal behavior were noted drawbacks. The Aviator excelled in providing a quiet and smooth ride, though it lacked the excitement of a more performance-oriented SUV.

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. It offered front-wheel drive as standard, with the option for VW's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. The Tiguan's driving modes included Eco, Normal, and Sport, with additional settings for AWD models. The Tiguan averaged 24 mpg in combined driving, though our test yielded 22.6 mpg. While the powertrain was adequate for most situations, it struggled with passing and acceleration at higher speeds. The Tiguan's dynamic qualities were praised, with excellent tire grip and stable handling. However, the brake pedal required more effort than expected, and road noise was noticeable in the cabin.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator prioritized comfort with features like a four-zone automatic climate control system, heated and ventilated seats, and massaging 30-way Perfect Position front seats. The second-row captain's chairs were spacious and supportive, but the third-row seat was cramped and difficult to access. With the third row in use, the Aviator offered 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded and 77.7 cubic feet with both rear rows down.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan provided a roomy interior, especially in AWD models without the third-row seat. The SEL R-Line featured comfortable front seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. However, the dashboard's touch-sensing controls were criticized for their usability. The Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space, with generous legroom and headroom in the rear seats. The cargo area was spacious, offering 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. FWD models with a third row had reduced cargo space.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Black Label Grand Touring was loaded with technology, including a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Alexa integration. However, it ran on the outdated Sync 3 software, which struggled with voice recognition. The Aviator featured a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D audio system, wireless charging, and a Phone As A Key digital key system. The digital instrumentation and head-up display were praised for their visibility, even with polarized sunglasses. Parking sensors and a surround-view camera system aided in parking, though the Active Parking Assist 2.0 system was not tested.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line featuring a 10.25-inch display. The infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and a nine-speaker Fender premium sound system. However, the system's user interface was criticized for its complexity and unnecessary sub-menus. The voice-recognition system was also lacking, often failing to connect. Despite these issues, the Tiguan's technology package was comprehensive, offering a range of features for connectivity and entertainment.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator was equipped with a range of driver aids, including Co-Pilot360 1.5, Co-Pilot360 1.5 Plus, and Co-Pilot360 2.0 packages. Our test vehicle featured adaptive cruise control, road-sign recognition, pedestrian detection, and forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking. It also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Aviator's safety tech performed well, though the lane-keeping system struggled in curves. The Aviator received a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in safety features, offering Front Assist and Side Assist as standard. These included forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. The Tiguan also had an Automatic Post Collision Braking System. The IQ.Drive package added adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Travel Assist provided semi-autonomous driving, while Emergency Assist could bring the Tiguan to a safe stop. The Tiguan's safety tech was praised for its reliability and subtlety. However, the NHTSA's crash-test ratings were incomplete, and the IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ rating did not apply for 2023.