2024 Lincoln Nautilus 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 for owners. Available in S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line trims, the Tiguan offered a range of prices 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 wheels, giving it a more upscale appearance. Despite the variety of exterior colors, interior options, and wheel designs, choices were limited by trim level, restricting customization. The interior of the SEL R-Line was upscale, with quality leather upholstery, artificial wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof, though some materials reminded drivers of its more affordable base price.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus debuted with a sophisticated and streamlined exterior, featuring a new grille with LED lighting that illuminated the Lincoln star logo. The rear design included a full-width animated LED light bar and dual exhaust ports, while the profile incorporated high door handles into the beltline. Inside, the Nautilus impressed with high-quality materials, ambient lighting, and a full-width screen that served as the centerpiece. The interior boasted polished metal accents, open-pore wood, and fine leather, though the piano key shifter style was a traditional Lincoln element. The optional Jet Appearance Package added two-tone paint, black exterior trim, and larger wheels, enhancing the vehicle's aesthetic appeal.

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 the option for VW's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. The SEL R-Line trim included AWD as standard, offering various driving modes such as Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual. The Tiguan's EPA rating was 24 mpg combined, though real-world testing yielded 22.6 mpg. The turbo-four engine provided adequate power, but higher revs revealed a lack of motive force, and the automatic transmission occasionally stumbled with delayed downshifts. Despite these quirks, the Tiguan's dynamic qualities were rewarding, with excellent tire grip, stable handling, and a comfortable ride.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid option, available for an additional $1,500, increased output to 310 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, with an EPA-estimated 30 mpg combined. The hybrid's range exceeded 600 miles, though the Lexus RX hybrid offered better fuel economy. All Nautilus models featured AWD and five drive modes, with the adaptive suspension enhancing performance. The hybrid's CVT avoided typical drawbacks, providing a smooth driving experience. While not a driver's car, the Nautilus offered a satisfying balance of comfort and performance.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a spacious interior, with FWD models featuring a standard third-row seat. However, opting for AWD increased cargo capacity, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 73.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. The SEL R-Line trim provided comfortable front seats with power adjustments, heating, and ventilation, though the dashboard's touch-sensing controls were problematic. The rear seat offered generous legroom, headroom, and foot room, with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The hands-free power liftgate revealed a large cargo area with adjustable load floor height and convenient storage features.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus excelled in comfort, especially with the Black Label model's 24-way Perfect Position front seats, which included massage and extended heating functions. The rear seats offered 43 inches of legroom, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. The Rejuvenate feature combined massage, lighting, and screen images to create relaxing moods. Cargo space measured 36 cubic feet behind the second row and 71 cubic feet with the seats folded in the Premiere trim, though slightly less in higher trims. The Nautilus seated five, with competitors offering optional third-row seating that was often cramped.

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 larger display impressed with its full-panel navigation map and helpful warnings. 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 complex, with sub-menus and touch-sensing controls creating unnecessary distractions. The voice-recognition system underperformed, likely due to inactive Car-Net Hotspot subscription features.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus boasted a 48-inch curved display, with a digital dash for the driver and customizable sections for various information. An 11.1-inch touchscreen handled infotainment duties, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While HVAC controls were easily accessible, adjusting vents required navigating menus, which was distracting. Unlabeled steering wheel controls added to the distraction, though Google Maps and Alexa Built-in provided useful features. Wireless charging and USB ports were standard, with over-the-air updates ensuring the system remained current.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in safety features, with standard Front Assist and Side Assist, including forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The IQ.Drive package added adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and semi-autonomous driving assist. The Tiguan's safety technology performed well, with minimal false alerts. However, crash-test ratings were incomplete, with concerns about the driver's door unlatching during side-impact tests. The IIHS awarded the 2022 Tiguan a Top Safety Pick+ rating, but this did not apply to the 2023 model.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus included the Lincoln CoPilot 360 suite of ADAS features, such as lane-keeping assist, park assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and emergency braking. The Blue Cruise 1.2 technology offered hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways, with a trial available for lower trims and standard on the Black Label. The NHTSA had not yet rated the 2024 Nautilus, but the 2023 model received high scores for crash protection. The IIHS rated the 2024 Nautilus "Good" in crashworthiness, though other ratings were pending.