Compare the2023 Porsche CayenneVS 2023 Lincoln Navigator

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Cayenne. But it costs extra on the Navigator.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the Cayenne helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The Navigator doesn’t offer a night vision system.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Cayenne uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The Navigator uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Cayenne and the Navigator have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The Cayenne’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Navigator’s (12 vs. 5 years).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in long-term dependability. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Lincoln is rated lower.

The Cayenne GTS’ standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 13 more horsepower (453 vs. 440) than the Navigator’s 3.5 turbo V6. The Cayenne E-Hybrid’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 15 more horsepower (455 vs. 440) and 6 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 510) than the Navigator’s 3.5 turbo V6. The Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 230 more horsepower (670 vs. 440) and 153 lbs.-ft. more torque (663 vs. 510) than the Navigator’s 3.5 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Porsche Cayenne turbo V6 is faster than the Lincoln Navigator:

On the EPA test cycle the Cayenne running on electricity gets better mileage than the Navigator:

On the EPA test cycle the Cayenne running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Navigator:

The Cayenne can travel with zero emissions for 15 to 17 miles (dependent on model). The Navigator can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the Cayenne’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Navigator doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Cayenne’s optional launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Navigator doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Cayenne’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Navigator:

The Cayenne offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The Navigator doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The Cayenne Turbo has standard air brakes, which adjust the spoiler automatically during high-speed braking in order to shorten stopping distances. The Navigator doesn’t offer air brakes.

The Cayenne stops much shorter than the Navigator:

The Cayenne’s standard 275/50R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Navigator Standard’s standard 55 series tires. The Cayenne’s optional 285/35R22 front and 315/30R22 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the Navigator’s optional 45 series tires.

The Cayenne offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Navigator doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The Cayenne offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Lincoln doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Navigator.

The Cayenne has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Cayenne’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Navigator doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Cayenne handles at .96 G’s, while the Navigator Black Label 4WD pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Cayenne Turbo executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 4.5 seconds quicker than the Navigator Black Label 4WD (23.9 seconds @ .83 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Cayenne w/Rear Wheel Steering’s turning circle is 4.9 feet tighter than the Navigator’s (35.1 feet vs. 40 feet). The Cayenne’s turning circle is .2 feet tighter than the Navigator’s (39.8 feet vs. 40 feet).

The Porsche Cayenne may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 1100 pounds less than the Lincoln Navigator.

The Cayenne is 1 foot, 4.3 inches shorter than the Navigator, making the Cayenne easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Cayenne is 10.9 inches shorter in height than the Navigator, making the Cayenne much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

Unibody construction lowers the Cayenne’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The Navigator uses body-on-frame design instead.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Cayenne is quieter than the Navigator Black Label 4WD:

The front step up height for the Cayenne is 4.3 inches lower than the Navigator (16.75” vs. 21”). The Cayenne’s rear step up height is 7 inches lower than the Navigator’s (16” vs. 23”).

The Cayenne has a much larger cargo volume than the Navigator with its rear seat up (27.2 vs. 19.3 cubic feet).

The Cayenne’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Navigator’s (7700 vs. 6200 pounds).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Lincoln. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With a 25% lower rating, Lincoln is ranked 12th.

The Cayenne’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Navigator does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Cayenne has a standard locking fuel and charge port door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Navigator doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Cayenne offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Navigator doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the Cayenne has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The Navigator doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Cayenne to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Navigator doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the Cayenne with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Navigator’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Cayenne’s optional Active Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Navigator’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

The Cayenne will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Cayenne will retain 47.75% to 53.12% of its original price after five years, while the Navigator only retains 44.21% to 46.46%.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Porsche Cayenne, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Lincoln Navigator isn't recommended.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Cayenne third among upper midsize premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Navigator isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Porsche Cayenne outsold the Lincoln Navigator by 10% during 2022.