2020 Porsche 718 Cayman

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Rating8.6

Ranked #3 in 

Compact Coupe
Write Review
$57,500 - $99,200
Starting Price 
M. Hannigan's image
M. Hannigan 

Content Writer,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Balanced mid-engine configuration

Unrefined engine sounds

Sport-exhaust system now standard

Laser-precise handling

Plastic components in the interior

New optional Car Connect Service

Marvellous PDK automatic transmission

Superb Porsche Torque Vectoring System

Specs & Features

$57,500

price

300 hp @ 6500 rpm

horsepower

280 lb.-ft. @ 1950 rpm

torque

6-Speed Manual

transmission

2.0L 4cyl RWD 6M

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The entry-level baby Porsche is a thoroughbred performance machine which has steadily come closer to the 911s in terms of driving dynamics and precise handling. The horizontally opposed flat-4 turbocharged engine placed down low in the chassis makes the 718 Cayman stable and planted to the track even with extreme G-forces trying to make the tail spin out at every corner.

The 300 hp mid-engined coupe starts at $56,900 and gets you a 2.0L engine. But you can always upgrade to the Cayman S at $69,300 which comes with upgraded suspensions and a 2.5L engine paired to a larger turbocharger making 350 hp. At $80,700 you get the Cayman GTS which incorporates a variable geometry turbocharger to take the power to 365 hp.

Buying Advice

The 718 Cayman S is the best trim to go for as it adds some much needed features to the sports coupe and makes it worth the money. The bigger tyres improve not only the handling characteristics as well as the grip through the corners.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

With such amazing power to weight ratio, the Cayman is capable of competing with powerful rivals like the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray which packs a V8, along with the BMW M2 Competition which inherits an inline-6 engine from the M4.

Features
8.0/10

The 718 Cayman is also available as the 718 Cayman S which upgrades the coupe to bigger 19-inch rims, a larger turbocharger and amps up the power figures to 350hp from 300hp.

Model

718 Cayman

718 Cayman S

MSRP

$56,900

$69,300

Key Features

18-inch wheels

Variable Turbine Geometry

 

Four-piston aluminium monobloc fixed brake calipers in red, front and rear

19-inch wheels

 

Bi-Xenon main headlights

Four-piston aluminium monobloc fixed brake calipers in red, front and rear

 

Centrally positioned single-tube tailpipe

Bi-Xenon main headlights

 

Porsche Communication Management (PCM) including mobile phone preparation and Sound Package Plus

Centrally positioned twin tailpipe

 

 

Porsche Communication Management (PCM) including mobile phone preparation and Sound Package Plus

We Recommend

The 718 Cayman S is the best trim to go for as it adds some much needed features to the sports coupe and makes it worth the money. The bigger tyres improve not only the handling characteristics as well as the grip through the corners.

Fuel Economy
8.0/10

With a thrifty 2.0L 4-cylinder engine inside, the Porsche give excellent fuel economy, at least considering the competition. The PDK automatic transmission enhances the economy as compared to the manual transmission.

Model

Porsche 718 Cayman coupe

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray w/1LT coupe

Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400 coupe

Dodge Challenger R/T ScatPack coupe

BMW M2 Competition

Chevrolet Camaro SS

Ford Mustang GT

MPG (city)

21

16

20

14

18

16

15

MPG (highway)

28

25

27

23

26

25

25

MPG (combined)

24

19

22

17

21

19

18

The rivals with V8s have very low fuel economy as you would’ve expected. With the motto of “no replacement for displacement” the 6.2L V8 Corvette barely manages a combined mpg of 19 whereas, the Porsche takes those numbers to 24 mpg, while the BMW M2 Competition gives you 21 combined mpg.

Interior
9.4/10

“Easy-to-understand gauges, comfortable seats, and well-placed controls give the Cayman's cabin a form-fitting feeling, not unlike a superhero's suit. Still, a plethora of hard buttons and a number of cheap-plastic pieces prevent the interior from standing out in this class.” - Car and Driver

Seating and Comfort

The driver-oriented cockpit makes the ride even more engaging for the driver, with a sport steering wheel with column mounted shift paddles and controls for the audio and cruise control. The seats, as expected of a sports coupe have excellent bolstering and support to keep you in place through the corners. With enough headroom for the tallest occupants, the low roofline doesn’t hinder practicality.

Model

Porsche 718 Cayman coupe

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray w/1LT coupe

Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400 coupe

Dodge Challenger R/T ScatPack coupe

BMW M2 Competition

Chevrolet Camaro SS

Ford Mustang GT

Passenger capacity

2

2

4

5

4

4

4

Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)

N/A

37.9/55.2/43.0

37.4/54.6/43.1

39.3/58.5/42.0

40.1/54.4/41.5

38.5/55/43.9

37.6/56.3/45.1

Second

(Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)

-

-

34.5/52.0/32.4

37.1/53.9/33.1

36.5/53.4/33

33.5/50.3/29.9

34.8/52.2/29

The 4-seater coupes not only have better space for the occupants but also get more interior storage, however, the rear seats aren’t as useful as you’d hope to have with most of them not being able to accommodate tall adults. The M2 Competition coupe and the Challenger R/T Scat Pack have some of the best passenger capacity in the segment.

Infotainment System

The sport steering connected to a tilt/telescopic column, automatic climate control, 6-speaker audio with CD, SiriusXM and HD Radio, Porsche Communications Management system and front/rear Park Assist. You get Apple CarPlay as standard however, the system lacks Android Auto support. Optionally you can replace the speaker system with a Bose or Burmester surround sound system.

  • 6.5-inch touchscreen display
  • SiriusXM and HD Radio
  • Satellite navigation
  • Apple CarPlay but with a subscription

Cargo Capacity

Complementing the front cargo bay is more storage options at the back. The mid-engined sports coupe keeps plenty of space open for storing cargo. The front storage is pretty decent but the rake angle of the rear eats up the cargo bay quite a bit.

Exterior
9.4/10

“Sharp edges, bold lighting elements and prominent side air intakes -- the better to feed and cool turbocharged powerplants -- give the 718 a more intense visual presence set off by an aggressive rear-quarter treatment featuring an auto-extending spoiler and single or dual exhaust outlets.” - KBB

Design and Dimensions

The 718 Cayman, a 2-door mid-engined coupe is small and sleek with the most perfect proportions ever seen. The 2020 Cayman gets sharper lines, a revised front bumper and bigger side intakes. The Cayman also comes with an auto-extending spoiler at the back, to go with the sport-exhaust system. The huge 18-inch wheels get replaced with 19s on the Cayman S and give the coupe a low and wide stance.

Model

Porsche 718 Cayman coupe

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray w/1LT coupe

Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400 coupe

Dodge Challenger R/T ScatPack coupe

BMW M2 Competition

Chevrolet Camaro SS

Ford Mustang GT

Curb weight (lbs.)

2944

3298

3882

4234

3600

3685

3705

Length(in)

172.4

176.9

184.4

197.9

176.2

188.3

188.3

Width(in)

78.5

73.9

72.8

75.7

73

74.7

75.4

Height(in)

51.0

48.8

54.5

57.5

55.5

53.1

54.4

Ground clearance (in)

N/A

N/A

4.9

5.2

4.8

TBD

TBD

Wheelbase (in)

97.4

106.7

112.2

116.2

106

110.7

107.1

Track width (in) F/R

59.6/60.3

63/61.7

61.2/61.8

63.4/63.8

62.2/63

63.0/62.9

62.3/64.9

The Cayman is extremely lightweight compared to the rivals, with the Corvette coming the closet to its weight class. The Porsche is also the shortest being strictly a 2-seater, but in terms of width it surpasses the rest by quite a margin, enhancing its stability.

Safety
8.0/10

  • Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
  • ABS And Driveline Traction Control
  • Side Impact Beams
  • Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
  • Front And Rear Parking Sensors
  • Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure Warning
  • Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Front Airbags
  • Curtain 1st Row Airbags
  • Airbag Occupancy Sensor
  • Driver And Passenger Knee Airbag
  • Outboard Front Lap And Shoulder Safety Belts -inc: Pretensioners
  • Back-Up Camera

Competition
9.0/10

Porsche 718 Cayman vs BMW M2 Competition

The BMW; a 4-seater performance coupe has not only more interior capacity but also higher cargo capacity for your luggage making it more versatile. The BMW’s 3.0L inline-6 engine makes the M2 Competition one of the best M cars and an absolute bliss to drive, while the Porsche’s tiny Cayman is much more stable and composed through fast corners. The steering, throttle and brakes are fined tuned for the performance convertible and much more precise than the BMW.

Porsche 718 Cayman vs Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

With a massive V8 nestled under the hood and a displacement of 6.2L, the power figures are off the charts. Comparatively, the 718 comes with a flat-4 2.0L engine making 300 hp. The power gap really shows when you take these on the drag strip, however, on the tracks, the Porsche’s superior handling gives the Cayman the upper hand.

Porsche 718 Cayman vs Jaguar F-Type

Although underpowered compared to the 718, the Jaguar comes with better interiors than the plastic components used in the Cayman, however it may feel a tad bit cramped once you’ve sat in the Porsche. The ride is stiffened to improve handling, but the Cayman gets you much more refined handling and grip through the corners. The infotainment is more intuitive and advanced in the Cayman and it even pulls ahead in terms of practicality.

Final Verdict
8.6/10

The baby Porsche is the perfect sports car for your garage which gets you a combination of precise handling, immense grip and great practicality. The Porsche comes with a high price tag, but for that price, you get a list that justifies the price. Compared to the BMW, Corvette and the Jag, the Cayman takes the upper hand.

Trims

    Base
    $57,500 onwards
    • 4-speaker sound system
    • Manually locking tailgate
    T
    $66,400 onwards
    • Engine: 2.0L 4cyl RWD 6M
    • Horsepower: 300 hp @ 6500 rpm hp
    • Torque: 280 lb.-ft. @ 1950 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 4.78 sec
    • Top Speed: 188 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 22 mpg
    S
    $69,900 onwards
    • Engine: 2.5L 4cyl RWD 6M
    • Horsepower: 350 hp @ 6500 rpm hp
    • Torque: 309 lb.-ft. @ 1900 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 4.4 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 21 mpg
    GTS
    $80,700 Est. onwards
    • Engine: 2.5L 4cyl RWD 7A
    • Horsepower: 414 hp @ 7600 rpm hp
    • Torque: 309 lb.-ft. @ 5000 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 4.2 sec
    • Top Speed: 188 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 24 mpg
    GT4
    $99,200 onwards
    • Engine: 4.0L 6cyl RWD 6M
    • Horsepower: 414 hp @ 7600 rpm hp
    • Torque: 309 lb.-ft. @ 5000 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 3.87 sec
    • Top Speed: 188 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 19 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$57,500- $99,200

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

8.61

Horsepower

414 hp @ 7600 rpm

Torque

309 lb.-ft. @ 5000 rpm

Capacity

4

Read Review

$69,150- $103,100

Gasoline

7.09

425 hp @ 5500 rpm

406 lb.-ft. @ 1850 rpm

4

Read Review

$64,900- $96,800

Gasoline

7.15

472 hp @ 7100 rpm

395 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

4

Read Review

$42,900- $59,600

Gasoline

7.62

248 hp @ 5000 rpm

273 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

4

Read Review

$54,500

Gasoline

7.33

288 hp @ 5400 rpm

280 lb.-ft. @ 1900 rpm

4

Read Review

$41,350- $59,150

Gasoline

7

300 hp @ 6400 rpm

295 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

4

Read Review

$41,295- $48,540

Gasoline

6.58

241 hp @ 5200 rpm

258 lb.-ft. @ 1650 rpm

4

Read Review

$44,225- $50,905

Gasoline

7.25

311 hp @ 6600 rpm

280 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

4

Read Review

$58,900- $77,850

Gasoline

7.73

490 hp @ 6450 rpm

465 lb.-ft. @ 5150 rpm

2

Read Review

$67,600

Gasoline

7.9

394 hp @ 6000 rpm

354 lb.-ft. @ 1700 rpm

4

Read Review

2020 Porsche 718 Cayman vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    4.9 sec13.0 sec-
    3.1 sec11.2 sec191 mph
    3.35 sec11.5 sec-
    3.6 sec12.2 sec155 mph
    2020 BMW M4

    Ranked #4

    3.8 sec12.1 sec155 mph
    4 sec12.5 sec-

    2020 Porsche 718 Cayman vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      21 mpg26 mpg22 mpg14.2 gal.284/369.2 mi.
      2020 Audi A5

      Ranked #1

      24 mpg32 mpg27 mpg15.3 gal.367.2/489.6 mi.
      23 mpg30 mpg26 mpg18.5 gal.425.5/555 mi.
      2020 Audi TTS

      Ranked #3

      23 mpg29 mpg25 mpg14.5 gal.333.5/420.5 mi.
      21 mpg30 mpg24 mpg17.4 gal.365.4/522 mi.
      20 mpg28 mpg23 mpg17.4 gal.348/487.2 mi.

      2020 Porsche 718 Cayman vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        172.4 in.70.9 in.51 in.4.3 in.97.4 in.
        185.2 in.72.6 in.54.7 in.5.1 in.107.5 in.
        185 in.72.4 in.54.9 in.5.3 in.107.5 in.
        185 in.72.4 in.54.9 in.5.3 in.107.5 in.
        2020 Audi A5

        Ranked #3

        184.9 in.72.7 in.54.5 in.6.5 in.108.8 in.
        2020 BMW M4

        Ranked #4

        184.5 in.73.6 in.54.4 in.4.7 in.110.7 in.

        2020 Porsche 718 Cayman vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          14.9 cu.ft.102.1 cu.ft.14.9 cu.ft.
          2020 Audi A5

          Ranked #2

          10.9 cu.ft.81 cu.ft.79.2 cu.ft.
          10.4 cu.ft.83.8 cu.ft.66 cu.ft.
          12 cu.ft.125.3 cu.ft.50.3 cu.ft.
          2020 Audi TTS

          Ranked #4

          12 cu.ft.125.3 cu.ft.50.3 cu.ft.
          2020 BMW M4

          Ranked #5

          11 cu.ft.94 cu.ft.11 cu.ft.

          2020 Porsche 718 Cayman vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            85 cu.ft.14.9 cu.ft.14.9 cu.ft.-
            8.7 cu.ft.8.7 cu.ft.8.7 cu.ft.-
            50.3 cu.ft.12 cu.ft.50.3 cu.ft.6 ft.
            10.1 cu.ft.10.1 cu.ft.10.1 cu.ft.-
            48.4 cu.ft.12.6 cu.ft.12.6 cu.ft.-
            20.6 cu.ft.10.4 cu.ft.20.6 cu.ft.-

            2020 Porsche 718 Cayman vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              614 lbs.3034 lbs.
              1158 lbs.3743 lbs.
              700 lbs.3748 lbs.
              2020 Audi A5

              Ranked #1

              882 lbs.3638 lbs.
              -3366 lbs.
              700 lbs.3737 lbs.

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