Porsche Cayenne vs Lincoln Aviator

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 E-Hybrid, each with unique exterior features. The GTS trim, which was the focus of this review, boasted high gloss black trim, a distinctive front fascia with larger air intakes, and tinted headlights. Red brake calipers were visible through 21-inch anthracite grey wheels, and the Cayenne Coupe featured an adaptive rear spoiler. Inside, the Cayenne offered extensive customization options, from interior colours to seat belts, allowing owners to create a unique vehicle. Despite the high cost of customization, the Cayenne's interior was well-organized, with mechanical controls for essential functions and a spacious cabin thanks to the dashboard-mounted shifter toggle.

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 reverse-horseshoe grille, adorned with chrome jewellery, was flanked by LED headlights, while the sides displayed an "Aviator" badge. The interior was the Aviator's main attraction, with the base Premiere trim offering synthetic leather upholstery and the Reserve trim providing leather options. The Black Label trim, not available in Canada, offered additional features. The Aviator's interior was designed for comfort, with various seating options and climate control features, making it a luxurious choice for passengers.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a range of engines, all capable of delivering impressive performance. The base model featured a 3.0-litre 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, available only as a coupe, boasted 650 hp. The GTS trim, with its twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8, delivered 493 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque, providing a thrilling driving experience. The Cayenne's eight-speed transmission and all-wheel-drive system ensured quick acceleration, with a 0-100 km/h time of 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 275 km/h. The GTS trim featured enhanced steering components, a lower centre of gravity, and an active suspension system, making it agile and responsive. The Cayenne also offered various driving modes, allowing for a comfortable commute or a sporty drive.

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator prioritized passenger comfort over dynamic performance. It was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, producing 383 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The smooth 10-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel-drive system provided a seamless driving experience. The Aviator could accelerate to 100 km/h in under six seconds, with the powertrain remaining unobtrusive. The suspension system, even in the sportiest Excite mode, was tuned for a smooth ride, though it resulted in considerable body lean through corners. The optional Air Glide suspension offered additional control and ground clearance adjustments. The Aviator also came with a Class III trailer tow package, capable of towing up to 2,268 kilograms.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a la carte customization, with the base model featuring standard eight-way power-adjustable seats, two-zone climate control, and ambient lighting. Higher trims, like the GTS, included a GT Sport steering wheel and Race-Tex headliner. The options list was extensive, allowing for personalization of interior materials and features. However, the Cayenne only accommodated five passengers, with the second row providing ample headroom. The Cayenne's towing capacity was impressive, matching that of a mid-size pickup truck, but its cargo space was smaller than competitors, with 772 litres behind the second row and 1,708 litres with seats folded.

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator offered a more spacious interior, seating up to seven passengers. The base Premiere trim included 10-way power-adjustable seats, heated and ventilated front seats, and tri-zone climate control. The Reserve trim added quad-zone climate control and optional 30-way power-adjustable front seats with massagers. The Aviator's second-row captain's chairs provided comfort and control over audio and climate settings. While the third row was less comfortable for adults, the Aviator offered generous cargo space, with 467 litres behind the third row and up to 2,149 litres with seats folded.

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, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. An optional 10.9-inch passenger screen allowed for media control and video streaming. The Cayenne's tech was user-friendly, with voice control options and a head-up display. The cabin included four 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 provided access to apps like Google Assistant and the Google Play store. Standard tech features included a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot, remote start, and a 14-speaker audio system. The Reserve trim added ambient lighting and a Revel 14-speaker audio system, with a high-end 28-speaker system available.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered standard safety features like parking sensors, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. However, adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist were optional. Porsche's InnoDrive adaptive cruise control system was not tested due to regional specifications. The Cayenne had not been rated by 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, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system. The Aviator's BlueCruise hands-free highway driving system was effective but had limitations in construction zones. The Aviator received high safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, though it lacked a Top Safety Pick award due to incomplete headlight ratings.