fbpx

Independent, impartial advice for car buyers and car owners

Find an Expert Rating: 
Expert Rating

Porsche 718 Cayman

Our unique Expert Rating Index combines scores from 35 of the top UK motoring websites to give you a definitive rating on every new car

Expert Rating

Porsche 718 Cayman

(2016 – present)

    Summary


    The Porsche Cayman first appeared in 2005, effectively as a hard-top version of the second-generation Boxster cabriolet. The current model launched in 2016, when both the Cayman coupé and Boxster convertible gained the 718 moniker recalling a 1950s Porsche sports car. More pertinently, it also switched from naturally-aspirated versions of Porsche’s signature flat-six engine to mostly turbocharged flat-four units.

    Mid-engined and cheaper than other models propelled from the rear, the Cayman is sometimes derided as a “poor man’s 911.” Reviewers are generally positive about it, however, though disappointed at the emissions-led change in engines.

    Four power outputs are on offer ranging from 300hp of the regular Cayman to the 420hp of the hardcore GT4 model.

    This and the GTS were launched after other Cayman variants, and saw a return to six-cylinder power. “They’re expensive,” says The Telegraph, but “these are the sort of cars about which you’ll remember the driving quality long after you’ve forgotten the price.”  

    Testers praise the excellent handling of the Cayman, so much so that the more recently introduced lightweight T model is not considered different enough to justify its price – “the standard Cayman is such a find-handling car that 90% of drivers would never sufficiently exploit the T’s chassis to notice the extra benefits it brings,” says Auto Express.

    Some reviewers point out that the interior does not include the modern touchscreens of other Porsches, but others consider this a good thing. And it is regarded as a minor issue in a car with prodigious potency and exemplary handling – Top Gear describes the Cayman as “a fantastic sports car with a real breadth of ability.”     

    Reliability appears to be an issue for the Cayman. In a 2021 reliability survey, What Car? rated it as the third-worst new car on sale, with more than half of owners having problems and two-thirds of those having to pay for repairs themselves rather than being covered by the car’s warranty. This continued into 2022, with the same survey ranking it as the least reliable car in the coupé/convertible/sports car category.

    As of January 2023, the Porsche 718 Cayman holds an excellent Expert Rating of 86% from 24 reviews. That’s exactly the same score as its convertible sibling, the Porsche 718 Boxster.

    Cayenne highlights

    • Good-looking sports car
    • Excellent handling
    • Comfortable ride for sports car
    • Quality interior

    Cayenne lowlights

    • Small engines for a Porsche
    • Interior tech not as current as other Porsches
    • T model not different enough to justify price
    • Reports of many reliability problems

    Key specifications


    Body style: Two-door coupé
    Powertrain: petrol
    Price: From £45,230 on-road

    Launched: Autumn 2016
    Last updated: Summer 2020
    Update due: TBA


    Media reviews


    Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

    The Car Expert

    +

    Auto Express

    +

    Auto Trader

    +

    Autocar

    +

    Car

    +

    Carbuyer

    +

    Evo

    +

    Honest John

    +

    Parkers

    +

    The Intercooler

    +

    The Sunday Times

    +

    The Telegraph

    +

    Top Gear

    +

    Safety rating


    No safety rating

    Neither of the Porsche 718 Cayman and Boxster twins have not been crash tested by Euro NCAP, and we’re not expecting it to happen anytime soon. If it does, we’ll include the results here.

    Eco rating


    No eco rating

    As of January 2023, the Porsche 718 Cayman has not yet been lab tested by Green NCAP. Given that the Cayman is a high-performance, petrol-engined sports car that prioritises performance over economy, it’s unlikely to win any environmental awards…

    Reliability rating

    MotorEasy logo 600x167

    Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

    All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

    The Porsche 718 Cayman has a reliability score that’s very slightly better than average, according to exclusive extended warranty data provided by our partners at MotorEasy.

    According to the warranty claim data, repair costs are relatively low across the board, but be aware of potential gearbox issues, as these could set you back around £900 on average.

    If you’re looking at a used Porsche 718 Cayman, make sure any extended warranty cover you purchase covers all of these potential problem areas.

    Awards


    Trophies, prizes and awards that the Porsche 718 Cayman has received

    2023

    • What Car? Awards – Best Sports Car

    2022

    • Top Gear Awards – Best Performance Car (GT4 RS)
    • What Car? Awards – Best Sports Car

    2021

    • What Car? Awards – Best Sports Car

    2018

    • What Car? Awards – Best Sports and Performance Car under £50K

    2017

    • World Car Awards – World Performance Car
    • What Car? Awards – Best Sports Car

    Similar cars


    If you’re looking at the Porsche 718 Cayman, you might also be interested in these alternatives

    Alpine A110 | Audi TT | BMW Z4 | Jaguar F-Type | Lotus Elise | Porsche 718 Boxster | Toyota GR Supra


    More news, reviews and information about the Porsche 718 Cayman at The Car Expert

    Porsche 718 Cayman and Boxster GTS 4.0 revealed with six-cylinder engine

    Porsche 718 Cayman and Boxster GTS 4.0 revealed with six-cylinder engine

    Triple Test: Toyota Supra vs Porsche 718 Cayman T vs Alpine A110

    Triple Test: Toyota Supra vs Porsche 718 Cayman T vs Alpine A110

    Porsche Cayman T & Boxster T launch with handling upgrades

    Porsche Cayman T & Boxster T launch with handling upgrades

    Porsche 718 Cayman GTS test drive

    Porsche 718 Cayman GTS test drive

    Buy a Porsche 718 Cayman


    If you’re looking to buy a new or used Porsche 718 Cayman, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car.

    Carwow logo 600x300

    Discover great deals available on both new and used cars. Find out more

    Auto Trader logo 600x300

    Search for your next new or used car with Auto Trader. Find out more

    Cazoo 600x300

    Buy a car online from your sofa. We’ll deliver it. Find out more

    Motors 600x300

    Search less, live more. We make finding the right car simple. Find out more

    Lease a Porsche 718 Cayman


    If you’re looking to lease a new Porsche 718 Cayman, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find a competitive deal.

    Carparison 600x300

    Personal contract hire deals from Carparison Leasing. Find out more

    Rivervale Leasing logo 2022

    Personal contract hire deals from Rivervale Leasing. Find out more

    Moneyshake logo 600x300

    Personal contract hire deals from Moneyshake. Find out more

    LeaseLoco logo 600x300

    Personal contract hire deals from LeaseLoco. Find out more

    Subscribe to a Porsche 718 Cayman


    If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help. (PS: What’s a car subscription?)

    Mycardirect subscriptions – 600x300

    Car subscriptions from Mycardirect.
    Find out more

    Elmo logo 2022

    Electric car subscriptions from Elmo.
    Find out more

    Wagonex logo 2022

    Car subscriptions from Wagonex.
    Find out more

    Used car finance

    Looking for an alternative to dealer finance? The Car Expert's partners can help
    We Finance Any Car 400x200

    Used car finance from We Finance Any Car.
    Find out more

    Blue Motor Finance

    Used car finance from Blue Motor Finance.
    Find out more

    Happy Motor Finance 600x300

    Used car finance from Happy Motor Finance.
    Find out more

    Quick Car Finance logo 800x400

    Used car finance from Quick Car Finance.
    Find out more

    Sell your car

    Do you have a car to sell? The Car Expert's partners can offer you a great price
    Motorway 600x300

    Get a free valuation in seconds from Motorway.
    Find out more

    Cazoo 600x300

    Get a free and instant offer for your car from Cazoo.
    Find out more

    Carwow logo 600x300

    The free, easy way to get 3,000+ dealers all over the UK bidding on your car.
    Find out more

    Auto Trader logo 600x300

    Get a cash offer for your car in minutes from Auto Trader.
    Find out more

    This page last updated:

    This page contains links to some of our commercial partners. If you click on any of those links, we may receive a commission.

    Best car rankings

    The top cars in every category

    The Car Expert has the ultimate ranking of the best and worst new cars on sale, based on scores from 30 of the top UK motoring websites. We're adding more cars and more lists all the time, so keep checking back for the latest results.

    Best car rankings

    The top cars in every category

    The Car Expert has the ultimate ranking of the best and worst new cars on sale, based on scores from 30 of the top UK motoring websites. We'll be adding more cars and more lists all the time, so keep checking back for the latest results.

    The Porsche 718 Cayman is an exemplary handling sports car with potent power too, and to many is the most complete Porsche.Porsche 718 Cayman