2026 Lincoln Aviator vs 2025 Porsche Cayenne

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne was available in two distinct styles: the standard SUV with a squared-off rear end and the sporty Cayenne Coupe. The lineup ranged from the base Cayenne to the high-performance Cayenne Turbo GT, each with unique exterior features. The GTS trim, which was the focus of this review, boasted high gloss black trim, bronze exhaust tips, and a distinctive front fascia with larger air intakes. The GTS also featured tinted headlights and red brake calipers visible through 21-inch anthracite gray wheels. Inside, the Cayenne offered extensive customization options, from color choices to trim and seat belts. The cabin was well-organized, with mechanical controls for essential functions and a dashboard-mounted shifter toggle for added storage space. Despite the high level of customization, the Cayenne maintained a luxurious and unique interior.

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator, while based on the Ford Explorer, offered a premium feel with its RWD unibody platform. Its exterior design was elegant, featuring a long dash-to-axle ratio, a slightly raked profile, and large wheels. The Aviator's reverse-horseshoe grille, LED headlights, and subtle body sculpting added to its premium appearance. The interior, especially in the Black Label trim, was the Aviator's main attraction. The base Premiere trim featured synthetic leather upholstery, while the Reserve offered leather in various colors. The Black Label trim elevated the experience with curated interior themes, such as the Flight, Moonbeam, and Invitation themes, each offering unique materials and design elements. The Aviator's interior was characterized by high-quality materials and thoughtful design, making it a standout in its class.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a range of engines, all capable of delivering impressive performance. The base model featured a 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 348 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. For those seeking more power, the Cayenne S offered a V8 with 468 hp, while the Turbo GT boasted 650 hp, though only available as a coupe. The GTS trim, with its twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, delivered 493 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed transmission and all-wheel drive. The Cayenne GTS was quick, reaching 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and achieving a top speed of 171 mph. The GTS trim struck a balance between sporty and comfortable, with precise steering and a low center of gravity. The Cayenne's adaptive suspension, Pirelli P Zero tires, and carbon ceramic brakes contributed to its agile handling, making it a joy to drive on both backroads and highways.

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator prioritized passenger comfort over dynamic performance. It was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 383 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a smooth 10-speed automatic transmission. The Aviator could accelerate to 60 mph in under six seconds, with a focus on ride quality rather than handling. The suspension system, featuring adaptive dampers, provided a smooth and forgiving ride, though it resulted in some body lean through corners. The optional Air Glide suspension offered additional control and ground clearance adjustments. The Aviator's towing capacity was 5,000 pounds, suitable for midsize boats or campers. Overall, the Aviator delivered a comfortable and relaxed driving experience, with an emphasis on passenger comfort.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a la carte customization, with limited standard features. The base model included eight-way power-adjustable seats, two-zone climate control, and ambient lighting. Higher trims, like the GTS, added features such as a GT Sport steering wheel and Race-Tex headliner. The Cayenne's options list was extensive, allowing for personalization of interior materials and features. However, the Cayenne only accommodated five passengers, with no third-row seating option. The cargo space was slightly smaller than competitors, with 27.3 cubic feet behind the second row in the standard model and 20.9 cubic feet in the coupe. The Cayenne's towing capacity was impressive, exceeding 7,700 pounds.

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator offered a more spacious interior, seating up to seven passengers. The base Premiere trim featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and tri-zone climate control. The Reserve trim added quad-zone climate control, while the Black Label trim offered a 30-way power-adjustable driver's seat with massagers. The Aviator's second-row seats provided good space and control over audio and climate settings. The third row, while accommodating, was less comfortable for adults on longer journeys. The Aviator's cargo space was generous, with 16.9 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 75.9 cubic feet with the second row folded down. While not as spacious as some competitors, the Aviator offered a practical and comfortable interior.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne featured a 12.6-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display with the Porsche Communication Management system. It included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Spotify, Apple Music, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. An optional 10.9-inch passenger screen allowed for navigation and media control. The Cayenne's screens were well-organized and responsive, with voice control options. A head-up display provided essential information, though it appeared dim with polarized sunglasses. The Cayenne also included four high-speed USB-C charging ports and a cooled wireless charging area.

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator's tech suite included a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster, a 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5.8-inch second-row touchscreen. The Lincoln Digital Experience offered access to Google Assistant and the Google Play store. Standard tech features included a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot, remote start, digital key functionality, and a 10-speaker audio system. The Reserve trim added a head-up display, a wireless phone charger, and a Revel 14-speaker audio system, while the Black Label featured a Revel 28-speaker audio system. The Aviator's tech offerings were modern, though not as advanced as some newer Lincoln models.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered standard safety features such as parking sensors, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. However, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-departure warning were optional. Porsche's InnoDrive adaptive cruise control system was not available for testing. The Cayenne had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS for safety.

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator included a comprehensive suite of standard safety features as part of the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Drive 2.0 system. This included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system. The Aviator also featured the BlueCruise hands-free highway driving system. The Aviator received a perfect five-star rating from the NHTSA and top scores in several IIHS crash tests, though it lacked a rating for its headlights.