2024 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus presented a sophisticated and streamlined exterior, available in Premiere, Reserve, or Black Label trims. Its design featured a new grille reminiscent of Mercedes-Benz, with LED lighting extending through the grille to illuminate the Lincoln star logo, creating a stunning visual effect. The rear mirrored this horizontal aesthetic with a full-width animated LED light bar and dual exhaust ports. The interior was equally impressive, highlighted by a full-width screen that served as the centerpiece. High-quality materials, ambient lighting, and textures like open-pore wood and fine leather adorned the cabin, although the piano key shifter style was a traditional Lincoln element that some might not favor. An optional Jet Appearance Package added two-tone paint, black exterior trim, and unique interior features for an additional cost.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan exuded a premium feel, often perceived as more designed than its non-European rivals. Standard LED headlights and taillights, along with an illuminated grille light line on the SEL R-Line, enhanced its exterior appeal. The model name was centered in all-caps style at the rear, accompanied by the classic Volkswagen badge. The base trim offered only grayscale colors, with limited customization options for interior and exterior combinations. The Tiguan S featured heated front seats and cloth upholstery, while higher trims added features like leatherette upholstery, dual-zone climate control, and a power tailgate. The SEL R-Line boasted real leather, front-seat ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and more advanced seat adjustability.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup delivered smooth power application and unobtrusive shifts. For an additional $1,500, a hybrid option was available, offering 310 horsepower, 295 lb-ft of torque, and an EPA estimated 30 mpg in combined driving, compared to 24 mpg for the gas-only engine. The hybrid also provided a range of over 600 miles. All Nautilus models featured all-wheel drive and five drive modes, with an adaptive suspension available for enhanced performance. The hybrid's CVT was well-tuned, avoiding common pitfalls like droning or over-eager engine speed.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel drive available for an extra cost on lower trims and standard on the top trim. The AWD option slightly reduced fuel economy, with the base Tiguan S achieving 27 mpg combined, dropping to 25 mpg with AWD. The SEL R-Line's power delivery was inconsistent, with turbo and transmission lag in some scenarios. The steering was light but provided good visibility and handling, making the vehicle feel maneuverable. Road noise was minimal, and the ride was comfortable, though seating surfaces drew some complaints.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus offered power-adjustable, heated, and cooled front seats across all trims, with the Black Label model featuring Lincoln's 24-way Perfect Position front seats, renowned for their comfort. The rear seats provided 43 inches of legroom, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. The Lincoln Rejuvenate feature combined massage, lighting, and screen images to create different moods, with optional scented cabins. Cargo space measured 36 cubic feet behind the second row and 71 cubic feet with seats folded in the Premiere trim, slightly less in higher trims. The Nautilus seated five, prioritizing cargo space over a third row.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan's top-trim test car featured firm seats in both rows, with AWD models seating five and FWD models seating seven. The two-row Tiguan offered 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space with seats in place, expanding to 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The three-row configuration reduced cargo space but maintained passenger space, with the third row offering limited headroom and legroom. Despite its compact crossover status, the Tiguan was one of the few in its class to offer a third row, providing more legroom than the Mitsubishi Outlander.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus featured a massive 48-inch curved display, with a digital dash for the driver and customizable sections for various information. An 11.1-inch touchscreen handled basic infotainment duties, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. HVAC controls were permanent icons on the screen, though vent adjustments required navigating menus. Unlabeled steering wheel controls were a distraction, but the inclusion of Google Maps, Alexa Built-in, and over-the-air updates were positives. Wireless charging and USB ports were standard throughout the cabin.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan's haptic touch slider buttons for climate control were responsive, though the physical volume knob's integrated on/off button was sensitive. The infotainment system's monochromatic graphics felt out of place, accessed through an 8-inch center touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The base Tiguan S had a smaller 6.5-inch screen and fewer USB ports. Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit System was standard, with the SEL R-Line featuring a fully configurable 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro screen. The nine-speaker Fender Premium Audio System was a highlight on the top trim.

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. Blue Cruise 1.2 technology was available on all trims, offering hands-free/eyes-up driving on pre-mapped highways. The 2023 Nautilus received high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, though the 2024 model had not yet been rated.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan earned a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, with the 2024 model expected to maintain high safety standards. Volkswagen’s IQ.DRIVE suite became standard, offering adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, lane assist, travel assist, and emergency assist. Additional features included rain-sensing wipers, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision warning with pedestrian detection. Park Distance Control was standard on higher trims, though its judgment was sometimes lacking.