2024 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2025 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 with LED lighting extending through it, illuminating the Lincoln star logo, creating a stunning visual. 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 and high-quality materials like open-pore wood and fine leather. The Jet Appearance Package offered additional customization with two-tone paint and black exterior trim.

In contrast, the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan underwent a complete redesign, adopting a sleek modernity inspired by VW's electric vehicles. The front showcased narrower headlights and a larger visual grille, while the rear featured a single bar taillight spanning the liftgate. The interior modernization included a tablet-like infotainment display and a digital instrument panel, with a minimalist dashboard design. The gear selector moved to the steering column, creating more storage space. Materials were average for the class, with soft-touch surfaces and durable plastics in the rear.

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. The hybrid option, costing an additional $1,500, offered 310 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, with an EPA estimated 30 mpg in combined driving. The hybrid's range exceeded 600 miles, while the gas-only engine achieved 24 mpg combined. All Nautilus models featured all-wheel drive and five drive modes, with the hybrid using a CVT that avoided typical drawbacks.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 201 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission was standard, with front-wheel drive and optional 4Motion all-wheel drive. The Tiguan's acceleration was expected to reach 60 mph in about 8.5 seconds. The suspension favored comfort, smoothing over road imperfections while maintaining composure in corners. A more powerful Turbo version was anticipated for 2026, offering 268 hp and 258 lb-ft, along with a teased hybrid powertrain.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus offered power-adjustable, heated, and cooled front seats across all trims, with the Black Label model featuring 24-way Perfect Position seats with massage and extended heating functions. Rear seats provided 43 inches of legroom, surpassing competitors like the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE. The Rejuvenate feature combined massage, lighting, and screen images for relaxation. Cargo space measured 36 cubic feet behind the second row and 71 cubic feet with seats folded, though slightly less in higher trims.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan returned without a third row, increasing second-row legroom by 1.5 inches. The interior saw the removal of capacitive-touch buttons, replaced by traditional controls on the steering wheel. Visibility was comparable to other small SUVs, with ample storage in the center console and door pockets. Cargo capacity was not finalized, but the area appeared smaller than the previous model. Remote seatback releases and a power liftgate were standard on most trims.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus featured a massive 48-inch curved display, with a digital dash and customizable sections for various information. A smaller 11.1-inch touchscreen handled infotainment duties, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The inclusion of Google Maps and Alexa Built-in enhanced voice controls, while wireless charging and USB ports were standard. However, the unlabelled steering wheel controls and menu navigation for vent adjustments were potential distractions.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan came standard with a digital instrument panel and a 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, with an optional 15-inch display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, paired with a wireless phone charger. Capacitive-touch sliders remained, but a new volume knob improved usability. The Atmospheres feature combined ambient lighting and audio settings, though it seemed out of place in a non-luxury vehicle. A 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available 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 offered hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways, with a trial period for lower trims and standard on the Black Label. The 2023 Nautilus received high safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, though the 2024 model had not yet been rated.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan's safety features included frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and more. The Emergency Assist system could slow the vehicle to a stop if the driver was incapacitated. Higher trims added a head-up display, surround-view camera, and semi-automated parking. All features functioned as expected, with no false alarms or over-sensitivity issues.