Porsche 718 Cayman Review 2026

Porsche 718 Cayman Verdict

Brilliant to drive. Feels more special than mainstream alternatives.

Four-cylinder engines won't appeal to everyone. Not as practical or as modern inside as rivals.

Reviews for Porsche 718 Cayman's top 3 rivals

Alpine A110

Great fun to drive, fine chassis balance and plenty of performance for the road, light and agile, hugely...

Audi RS5

Lighter and faster than previous RS5 yet still incredibly refined and comfortable for a performance car....

Jaguar F-Type Coupe

Breathtaking good looks and outstanding handling. R model is brutally quick. Cabin is classy and comfortable....

Porsche 718 Cayman handling and engines

• Engines range from Cayman T to Cayman GT4 PDK
• Readers report Real MPG to be between 23–40 mpg

The entry-level Porsche Cayman uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing 300PS, while the Cayman S uses a 2.5-litre with 350PS. There's also the GTS, which uses the same 2.5 with power boosted to 365PS.

Enthusiasts are still angry at Porsche for dropping the old six-cylinder petrol engines, but the ongoing drive for fuel economy and reduced emissions put an end to those (although there is also the six-cylinder GT4 if the four-pot irritates you that much...). While the entry-level 2.0-litre might sound weedy, 300PS means it's got more than enough power for most drivers, while its claimed fuel economy of up to 33.2mpg isn't bad for a car of this type.

Sitting between the standard Cayman and the Cayman S is the Cayman T. This uses the 2.0-litre engine and doesn't boast an increase in power, but it does feature a shortened gear shift (unless you opt for the PDK auto... we'll come onto that), a 20mm lower ride height and the Sport Chrono package including a variety of drive modes.

No matter whether you opt for the 2.0- or 2.5-litre Cayman, it's very eager to accelerate at any revs. Maximum torque is available from around 2000 to 4500rpm, but there aren't any noticeable flatspots - even approaching the redline. Whether you're shuffling about in traffic or out for a spirited drive, the Cayman is both easy yet rewarding to drive.

The Porsche Cayman comes as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox, which is a delight to use. It has a short throw (particularly on the Cayman T model) and offers precise changes, although most buyers will be better catered for with the PDK automatic transmission.

Yes, buying a Porsche sports car with an automatic gearbox might raise eyebrows, but it's one of the best dual-clutch transmissions on the market. Changes are near-instantaneous and you can always take control with the paddles behind the steering wheel should you feel the need.

No matter which engine and gearbox you go for, the Cayman's handling is nothing short of sublime. Even the ride is pretty compliant, with the optional adaptive dampers (dubbed Porsche Active Suspension Management or PASM) in particular doing a very good job of smoothing out bumps. We're not talking SUV levels of softness, but the Cayman isn't as uncomfortable over speed bumps as you might expect.

In corners, there's no noticeable lean, while the front of the car is eager to turn in no matter how many liberties you're taking. There's a huge amount of grip on offer, while the steering is wonderfully direct and communicative. Whatever the situation, you'll enjoy driving the Cayman.

Porsche 718 Cayman interior

• Boot space is 120–270 litres
• Euro NCAP rating of five stars

Porsche isn't overly generous with its standard equipment levels, so you'll have to spend more for things like electric seat adjustment (£1599 on the basic Cayman), adaptive cruise control (£1094) and parking sensors (£623 for front and rear). Heated seats are £294, automatic climate control is £539 and ISOFIX child seat mounting points are £126.

What you do get as standard is a cosy and classy interior, with lots of soft-touch materials. The driving position is excellent - nice and low down, ideal for a sports car, without compromising in terms of visibility. You get a pretty good view of the road ahead and the Cayman's an easy enough car for driving around town.

Practicality isn't the Cayman's strong point. You don't get much in terms of stowage space inside the car, with slim door pockets and a shallow storage compartment under the centre armrest. It's comfortable, though, with plenty of support in the seats for long journeys.

On paper, there's a decent amount of boot space, with luggage capacity quoted at 425 litres. This is split between two compartments in the front and rear of the car. They're fine for carrying soft bags for a weekend away or a few shopping bags, but you're not going to get a set of golf clubs in there. There aren't any rear seats so you've got no chance of carrying more than two people, and there's no space behind the seats inside.

There's a seven-inch touchscreen media display in the centre of the dash, which is easy enough to operate with clear graphics and fast responses. Apple CarPlay is standard too, although there's no Android Auto. It does look a little dated compared to some of the slick infotainment systems offered on rivals like the Audi TT, and the long line of buttons on the centre console (or not, if you've been tight with the options list) also looks a little old school.

It's worth paying extra for a premium sound system, in our opinion - the Bose surround sound system (£834) is much better than the standard radio, while the £2769 Burmester unit will appeal to audiophiles.

Porsche 718 Cayman models and specs

Currently on sale

On sale until July 2020

On sale until April 2017