Ford Expedition vs Porsche Cayenne

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne presented itself as a versatile SUV, available in both a standard SUV form with a squared-off rear end and a sporty Cayenne Coupe. The trim levels 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 the 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, allowing buyers to personalize everything from the color to the seat belts. The cabin was well-organized, with mechanical controls for essential features and a dashboard-mounted shifter toggle that freed up storage space.

The 2025 Ford Expedition, on the other hand, emphasized functionality with its long, rectangular body and slab sides, ensuring ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room. Despite its utilitarian design, the Expedition featured stylish elements like horseshoe-shaped daytime running lights and a bold grille. The profile was simple, with a character line running from the headlights to the taillights, and a range of wheel designs available. The rear of the Expedition showcased a two-tone paint job and a new split-gate design, offering practical benefits like preventing luggage from spilling out. The Expedition was available in four trim levels and two lengths, with the MAX version providing significantly more cargo space. The King Ranch trim offered luxurious materials, while the entry-level Active trim impressed with its standard features.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a range of engine options, all capable of delivering impressive performance. The base model featured a 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 348 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque. For those seeking more power, the Cayenne S offered a V8 engine with 468 hp, while the Turbo GT boasted 650 hp, though it was only available as a coupe. The GTS trim, with its twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine, delivered 493 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque, providing a thrilling driving experience. The Cayenne GTS could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 171 mph. The GTS trim featured components borrowed from the Turbo GT, enhancing its handling and agility. The Cayenne's adaptive suspension, Pirelli P Zero tires, and carbon ceramic brakes contributed to its sporty performance, while the various drive modes allowed for a comfortable commute when needed.

The 2025 Ford Expedition came equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque. The Tremor trim featured a high-output version of this engine, producing 440 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque. Despite its 5,794-pound curb weight, the Expedition's powertrain provided ample acceleration and was well-suited for long highway drives. The ten-speed automatic transmission ensured smooth shifts, and the multi-link rear suspension offered a comfortable ride. The Tremor trim, designed for off-road adventures, featured increased ground clearance, 33-inch all-terrain tires, skid plates, and an electronic locking rear axle. While the Expedition excelled in off-road conditions, its size limited its suitability for hardcore off-roading. However, it remained a capable choice for families seeking a full-size SUV with towing capabilities.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a range of customizable options, allowing buyers to tailor the interior to their preferences. The base model featured eight-way power-adjustable seats, with options for 14- or 18-way adjustable seats. The GTS trim included a GT Sport steering wheel and a Race-Tex headliner, with options for Race-Tex or leather upholstery. The Cayenne could accommodate five passengers, with ample headroom in the second row. The standard Cayenne offered 27.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to over 60 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The coupe version provided slightly less cargo space. The Cayenne's towing capacity exceeded 7,700 pounds, making it a versatile choice for those needing to tow heavy loads.

The 2025 Ford Expedition excelled in towing capacity, with a maximum of 9,600 pounds. Inside, the Expedition offered generous cargo space, with 21.6 cubic feet behind the third row in the standard model, expanding to 36.1 cubic feet in the Expedition MAX. With all rear seats folded, the Expedition provided up to 108.5 cubic feet of cargo space, while the MAX version offered 123.1 cubic feet. The Expedition's minimalist interior design featured touch-sensitive trackpads on the steering wheel and climate controls housed in the touchscreen. While some may appreciate the high-tech approach, others may find it less intuitive. The Expedition's interior layout and touchpoints aimed to provide a modern and streamlined experience.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne impressed with its array of screens and technology features. The standard 12.6-inch digital gauge cluster offered up to seven views, while the 12.3-inch touchscreen display housed the Porsche Communication Management system. This system 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, with a screen filter preventing driver distraction. The Cayenne also featured a head-up display, night-vision assist, and four high-speed USB-C charging ports. The cooled wireless charging area ensured devices remained cool while charging.

The 2025 Ford Expedition boasted a groundbreaking 24-inch driver information display, capable of displaying Google Maps and customizable widgets. The steering wheel featured a unique "squircle" shape to accommodate the display. The 13.2-inch touchscreen display, powered by a Google-based operating system, included Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play store. The Ford Digital Experience required an active cellular data plan, with a complimentary one-year subscription followed by an annual fee. Without the Ford Connectivity Package, the tech features were limited, but wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay projection remained available.

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 provided advanced traffic incident preparation, but it was not tested during the review. The Cayenne had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS for safety.

The 2025 Ford Expedition came equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alerts. The Expedition also featured Pro-Trailer Hitch Assist and Pro-Trailer Backup Assist. BlueCruise 1.4, a hands-free driving technology, was available on select trims, with a 90-day trial included. The NHTSA had not yet rated the 2025 Expedition, and the IIHS ratings were based on the previous-generation model.