Porsche 718 Cayman review
Don’t write the Cayman off as a ‘cut-price 911’ – the ‘thinking person’s 911’ may be more apt. It’s simply superb to drive and has a high-quality interior, although its engine does lack charm.
- Monthly
- £559*
- Used
- £36,790
What's good
What's not so good
Find out more about the Porsche 718 Cayman
Is the Porsche 718 Cayman a good car?
The Porsche 718 Cayman sits below the firm’s iconic 911 on the pricelists, but if you think the Cayman is a hugely inferior car because it’s cheaper, well, you’re wrong.
If you’re a Porsche 911, having a Cayman alongside you in the range must be like having your little brother come along and suddenly beat you at football, or on the PlayStation, or in a wrestling match. Yup, the Cayman could stake a claim as one of the best cars Porsche currently builds. It’s every bit as fantastic to drive as its more expensive sibling, and has a similarly impressive interior, and while its four-cylinder engine doesn’t put as big a smile on your face as the 911’s six-cylinder one does, there are flat-six motors making a reappearance in the Cayman. It’s almost as if Porsche has realised the error of its ways.
Still, even the entry-level 2.0-litre Cayman has 300hp and can get you from 0-62mph in just 5.1 seconds. The faster S model gets a 2.5-litre engine with 350hp, enough to get you from 0-62mph in just 4.6 seconds and onto a top speed of 177mph. There’s also a T model with the same power as the entry-level car, but has numerous performance options added, while the six-cylinder GTS 4.0 gets 400hp and the GT4 has 420hp.
The flat-four engines sound pretty ordinary. And while they’re more fuel efficient than the engines in alternative sports cars, in the real world it doesn’t actually save you much fuel over the Cayman’s six-cylinder units.
But it’s the way the Cayman handles in corners that really stands out. Its combination of an engine located just behind your head and rear-wheel drive gives it huge levels of grip. Couple this with confidence-inspiring steering and brilliant brakes and you have a car that’ll put a huge smile on your face.
I love everything about the Cayman except the four-cylinder engines. It’s quicker than before and every bit as good to drive, but the six-cylinder Caymans just sound better. End of.
Other sports cars – the Lotus Exige, for example – can do that too, but they can’t match the Cayman’s ease of use every day. With the (expensive) optional adjustable dampers fitted (they’re standard on the GTS and GT4 models), the Cayman soaks up bumps surprisingly well – even with huge 20-inch alloy wheels fitted – and the even pricier PDK automatic gearbox is worth buying if you often drive in slow city traffic.
Thanks to the Cayman’s front and rear boots, you don’t even need to compromise too much on practicality. The Porsche Cayman has a total luggage capacity of 422 litres – more than a VW Golf – although the boots’ shapes restricts you to carrying soft bags or carry-on cases rather than full suitcases. You only get two seats, of course, but the driver’s seat and steering wheel have a wide range of adjustment so you shouldn’t have any difficulty getting comfortable.
Interior quality is top notch and you can choose from all manner of leather upholstery and trim pieces. That said, even a light dabble in the options list can have the cost of your Cayman soaring. Fortunately, sat-nav is standard. It works via a 7-inch screen and comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you can mirror your smartphone’s media and navigation apps to the car’s built-in screen.
In fact, from the inside the Cayman could be mistaken for a sporty executive saloon rather than a track-ready racer, and that’s exactly what makes it a great car. It’s easy to drive on a variety of roads and perfectly at home on the daily commute, but take it to a track day and your friends will need something pretty quick to keep up.
Watch our in-depth Porsche GT4 RS review:
How practical is it?
There’s plenty of space for two occupants, but not a huge amount of space for their odds and ends.
What's it like to drive?
There are few cars that go, handle and stop as well as the Cayman. If you can, go for a six-cylinder car, because the four-cylinder ones sound rubbish.
What's it like inside?
Beautiful to look at with a superb driving position, but the infotainment is a long way from cutting edge.
- Monthly
- £559*
- Used
- £36,790
*Please contact the dealer for a personalised quote, including terms and conditions. Quote is subject to dealer requirements, including status and availability. Illustrations are based on personal contract hire, 9 month upfront fee, 48 month term and 8000 miles annually, VAT included.