Lincoln Aviator vs Porsche Cayenne: Specs Compared
Also searched as Porsche Cayenne vs Lincoln Aviator specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The Porsche Cayenne is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 24 mpg combined versus 23 mpg for the Lincoln Aviator, a 1 mpg advantage and costs about $650 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Porsche Cayenne leads in 3. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2020–2026
Lincoln Aviator
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 19 configurations
2015–2026
Porsche Cayenne
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 97 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Lincoln Aviator | Porsche Cayenne |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 23 mpg | 24 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 22 mpg ✓ | 21 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 26 mpg | 29 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,650 ✓ | $3,300 |
| Lowest CO2 output | 209 g/mi | 174 g/mi ✓ |
| Engines offered | SIDI, 3.0, SIDI; without Stop-Start, SIDI; PHEV | SIDI, SIDI; PHEV, 4.0, 3.0 |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S10) | Automatic (S8), Automatic (AM8) |
| Drivetrains | Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Regular, Regular Gas and Electricity | Premium, Premium and Electricity, Premium Gas or Electricity |
| EPA class | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Years covered | 2020–2026 | 2015–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 19 | 97 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Lincoln Aviator vs Porsche Cayenne dimensions and size
The Lincoln Aviator is 5.9 inches longer than the Porsche Cayenne on a wheelbase 4.7 inches longer, and 593 lbs heavier. Both clear the roughly 200 inches of usable length in a standard single garage bay.
| Dimension | Lincoln Aviator (2026) | Porsche Cayenne (2026) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 199.6 in | 193.7 in | 5.9 in |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 79.5 in | 78 in | 1.6 in |
| Height | 69.3 in | 66.9 in | 2.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 118.9 in | 114.2 in | 4.7 in |
| Curb weight | 4,969 lbs | 4,376 lbs | 593 lbs |
Width excludes mirrors; add 8–12 inches for mirrors out. Figures are for the newest model year on record for each vehicle. See both drawn to scale.
Lincoln Aviator vs Porsche Cayenne: what the numbers mean
Running cost over five years: at the EPA's 15,000-mile-a-year assumption the Lincoln Aviator burns about $2,650 of fuel annually against $3,300 for the Porsche Cayenne. That $650 yearly gap compounds to roughly $3,250 over five years and $5,200 over eight — often more than the price difference between two trims of the same vehicle, and the single largest running-cost line item separating these two.
City versus highway split: the Lincoln Aviator is the stronger commuter at 22 mpg city, while the Porsche Cayenne pulls ahead on the interstate at 29 mpg highway. If most of your driving is stop-and-go traffic the city figure is the one to weigh; for long-distance highway mileage the reverse is true, and the two vehicles effectively swap places depending on how you drive.
Powertrain choice: the Lincoln Aviator is recorded with 4 distinct engine configurations (SIDI, 3.0, SIDI; without Stop-Start), the Porsche Cayenne with 4 (SIDI, SIDI; PHEV, 4.0). Across 19 recorded Lincoln Aviator configurations and 97 for the Porsche Cayenne, the wider the engine spread the more the real-world fuel efficiency depends on which version you actually buy, so check the specific model year and drivetrain rather than the headline number.
Drivetrain and class: the Lincoln Aviator is offered with Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, the Porsche Cayenne with All-Wheel Drive. All-wheel drive typically costs one to two mpg combined against the same vehicle in front- or rear-wheel drive, which is worth remembering when the gap between these two is small. The EPA classes them as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD and Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.
Tailpipe emissions: at their cleanest configurations the Porsche Cayenne emits 174 g/mile of CO2 versus 209 g/mile for the Lincoln Aviator. Emissions track fuel consumption almost exactly, so the cleaner vehicle here is also the cheaper one to fuel.
Aviator vs Cayenne: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Lincoln Aviator or the Porsche Cayenne?
The Porsche Cayenne is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 24 mpg combined versus 23 mpg for the Lincoln Aviator, a 1 mpg advantage and costs about $650 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Lincoln Aviator runs about $2,650 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $3,300 for the Porsche Cayenne — a difference of roughly $650 per year.
What engines do the Aviator and Cayenne offer?
Lincoln Aviator: SIDI, 3.0, SIDI; without Stop-Start, SIDI; PHEV. Porsche Cayenne: SIDI, SIDI; PHEV, 4.0, 3.0.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the Lincoln Aviator and the Porsche Cayenne as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, so they compete directly.
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