Ford Explorer vs Porsche Cayenne

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne was available in both a standard SUV form and a sporty Cayenne Coupe, offering a range of trim levels from the base Cayenne to the high-performance Cayenne Turbo GT. The GTS trim, which was the focus of this review, featured distinctive high gloss black trim, bronze exhaust tips, and a unique front fascia with larger air intakes to cool its V8 engine. The GTS also boasted tinted headlights, red brake calipers, and 21-inch wheels in anthracite gray. 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 for added storage space. Despite its premium price, the Cayenne's interior was praised for its thoughtful design and customization possibilities.

The 2026 Ford Explorer retained its familiar appearance from the previous year's facelift, which gave it a more rugged, truck-like look. The Tremor model, in particular, enhanced its off-road capabilities with all-terrain tires, a raised ride height, and off-road lights in the grille. The Tremor also featured Electric Spice accents, adding a unique touch to its design. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance, the Tremor excelled in off-road conditions, offering improved approach, breakover, and departure angles. While the Explorer lineup remained largely unchanged, the Tremor stood out for its off-road prowess. Inside, the Explorer's interior was updated for 2025, featuring a new infotainment system and improved design. However, the materials in the Tremor test vehicle were criticized for not matching its price point. Despite this, the Explorer offered a comfortable ride and a range of options for customization.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a variety of engine options, all 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 engine with 468 hp, while the Turbo GT boasted 650 hp, though it was only available as a coupe. The plug-in hybrid options provided up to 729 hp for peak performance. The GTS trim, with its twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine, delivered 493 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque, making it a thrilling drive. The Cayenne GTS could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 171 mph. Its precise steering, adaptive suspension, and Pirelli P Zero tires contributed to its agile handling, while the optional carbon ceramic brakes provided ample stopping power. The Cayenne GTS offered a balance between sporty performance and daily driving comfort, with various driving modes to suit different conditions.

The 2026 Ford Explorer retained its powertrain options from the previous year. The standard 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produced 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The Tremor grade and Explorer ST featured a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine with 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive standard on most trims and all-wheel drive optional. The Tremor model, with its off-road enhancements, impressed with its confident handling and comfortable ride. The twin-turbo V6 provided ample power for passing and highway driving, while the 10-speed automatic transmission delivered smooth shifts. The Explorer's off-road capability was demonstrated during a test drive in challenging terrain, where it handled obstacles with ease. Despite its size, the Explorer offered a comfortable and composed ride on highways and sweeping corners.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a range of customization options, allowing buyers to personalize their vehicles extensively. The base model featured standard eight-way power-adjustable seats, with options for 14- or 18-way adjustable seats. The GTS trim came with a GT Sport steering wheel and Race-Tex headliner, while higher trims added stainless steel pedal pads and illuminated carbon fiber door-sill guards. The Cayenne could accommodate five passengers, with ample headroom in the second row. However, it lacked a third-row option, unlike some competitors. The Cayenne's towing capacity was impressive, with the ability to tow over 7,700 pounds. Cargo space was slightly smaller than some rivals, with 27.3 cubic feet behind the second row and 60 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The coupe version offered less cargo space, and the plug-in hybrid models further reduced utility.

The 2026 Ford Explorer could seat up to seven passengers across its three rows, with the option for second-row captain's chairs. While the Explorer offered reasonable space for a midsize crossover, it had slightly less headroom in the third row compared to some competitors. The second-row legroom was also slightly less than rivals like the Honda Pilot. The Explorer's cargo space was competitive, with 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 46 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 85.3 cubic feet with the second row folded. The Explorer's interior featured practical storage solutions, including phone trays, large door pockets, and a spacious center console. The rotary shift knob allowed for easy access to adjacent cupholders. The Explorer's towing capacity was 5,000 pounds, which was average for a midsize crossover.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne featured a range of advanced technology, including a curved 12.6-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display running the Porsche Communication Management system. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as 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 to prevent driver distraction. 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 offered night-vision assist and HD-Matrix Design LED headlamps. The cabin featured four high-speed USB-C charging ports and a cooled wireless charging area.

The 2026 Ford Explorer came equipped with a 13.2-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, offering wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, Google Maps, Google Play Store, and SiriusXM with 360L satellite radio. The Explorer's infotainment system, introduced in 2025, featured better-integrated screens and the Ford Digital Experience system. USB-C ports were standard in the first and second rows, with additional ports in the third row on higher trims. The base Active trim had a six-speaker audio system, while other trims offered a 10-speaker B&O by Bang & Olufsen system, with an optional 14-speaker version. The Explorer's touchscreen had simple graphics and quick response times, though the climate control icons could be more user-friendly. The instrument cluster featured large numbers and a bold typeface, with various display options. The available 360-degree camera system provided useful views for off-road driving.

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 advanced adaptive cruise control system, InnoDrive, was not available for testing. The Cayenne lacked hands-off/eyes-up driving assist features. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had rated the 2025 Cayenne for safety.

The 2026 Ford Explorer featured the CoPilot 360+ system, which included adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear parking sensors, and traffic sign recognition. Higher trims offered CoPilot 360 2.0, adding a 360-degree camera system, predictive speed assist, and road-edge detection. The Explorer also featured Ford's BlueCruise hands-free highway driving system, upgraded to version 1.5 for 2026, with automated lane-change capability. The Explorer received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.