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Lincoln Aviator vs Porsche Cayenne

2026 Lincoln Aviator vs 2026 Porsche Cayenne — two standard SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Lincoln Aviator

2026 Lincoln Aviator

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WD
VS4 – 2Lincoln Aviator wins 4 of 6 categories
Porsche Cayenne

2026 Porsche Cayenne

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WD

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The short version

The Lincoln Aviator is more fuel-efficient: 21 vs 19 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $1,150 a year less in fuel for the Lincoln Aviator (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Lincoln Aviator is the bigger car, about 6 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Porsche Cayenne has had fewer recall campaigns (28 vs 51).

The two cars

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator is a standard SUV offered with a 3.0L 6-cyl turbo engine and rear-wheel drive and part-time 4-wheel drive. It measures about 200 inches long and 80 inches wide on a 119-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,969 lb (4dr SUV AWD).

The 2026 Porsche Cayenne is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (3.0L 6-cyl turbo and 4.0L 8-cyl turbo) and all-wheel drive. It measures about 194 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 114-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,376 lb (Base / S 4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2024 Aviator and the 2018 Cayenne have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2020 Aviator and the 2019 Cayenne.

Basics

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.0L 8-cyl turbo
Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

21 MPG
Best combined MPG
19 MPG
18 city
City / highway MPG (best)
17 city
$3,200
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$4,350

Performance & space

–
Horsepower (most powerful)
493 hp
–
Seats (most)
4
199.6 in
Length
193.7 in
79.5 in
Width
78 in
69.3 in
Height
65.7 in
4,852 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,376 lb

Safety & reliability

13
Driver-assist features standard
11
6
Recalls (2026)
1
51
Recalls, all years since 2005
28
4
Owner complaints (latest year)
5

Interest

5,928
Wikipedia views, 30 days
30,338

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2018
2020
Year to avoid
2019

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Lincoln Aviator if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (21 vs 19 MPG)
  • You want more room (6 in longer)
  • You want more standard driver-assist tech

Choose the Porsche Cayenne if…

  • You want something easier to park (6 in shorter)
  • You put reliability history first (28 vs 51 recalls since 2005)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Lincoln Aviator

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • 6 recallsMore than similar models (about 1). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

2026 Porsche Cayenne

  • Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Full 2026 Lincoln Aviator specs →Full 2026 Porsche Cayenne specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →