Car Expert: The 2024 Porsche 718 Cayman is the entry level sports car that looks and feels good

I get it. There’s no way on earth you can afford a new 911, but a tricked-up Porsche 718 Cayman Style Edition is not only doable – it also looks legit, never mind how it drives.

It’s not much more than a cosmetic lift for your proper mid-engine Porsche sports car, but it’s enough to bring out the best in Cayman’s design and on-road prowess, but only if you add one of two optional features to the hardware mix.

It’s not over the top either but with some well-chosen add-ons over and above the base spec, including 20-inch 718 Spyder wheels in gloss black, centrally mounted (GT-look) black dual-tip exhausts and some neat black stripes and lettering, this is a Porsche sports car that’s capable of turning more heads than a base 911. No lie.

And while there’s a strong case for going with the slightly less expensive standard variant with six-speed manual box, our tester was equipped with the optional seven-speed PDK auto transmission, which also knocks four-tenths off the car’s 0-100km/h sprint time – if that’s important to you.

Honestly, it’s not exactly an easy decision to make; the quick-shifting bulletproof PDK for speed and daily-driver flexibility, or the very last Porsche Cayman with an old-school six-speed stick-shift for the ultimate in driver engagement.

The truth is you can’t go wrong with either, but in years to come long after Cayman and Boxster are powered solely by electricity, it’s the manual that’s going to pull the big bucks on the used-car market.

Going with the Style Edition also means you’ll need to be comfortable with Porsche’s smallest displacement powertrain – a 2.0-litre flat-four, which makes more power than the Porsche Macan with a four-cylinder – as it too is about to be replaced by an all-electric model.

Step up the ladder and you can get a 2.5-litre motor in the Cayman S, or if you go the whole hog with the GTS, you’ll get Porsche’s all-time and naturally-aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six out of the 911 GT models. Not cheap, mind.

Regardless of which Cayman your budget will allow, rest assured, you’ll be the proud owner of one of the most dynamically sorted mid-engine sports cars on the planet right now. No question.

How much does the Porsche 718 Cayman Style Edition cost?

While the Porsche 718 Cayman Style Edition (with PDK) tested here is priced from $138,325 before on-road costs, you can get the manual version from $136,700.

Porsche 718 Cayman/Boxster Style Edition pricing

• Porsche 718 Cayman Style Edition (man): $136,700
• Porsche 718 Cayman Style Edition (auto): $138,325
• Porsche 718 Boxster Style Edition (man): $139,300
• Porsche 718 Boxster Style Edition (man): $140,925

Prices exclude before on-road costs

To see how the 718 Cayman compares to its rivals, check out our comparisons tool.

What is it like on the inside?

It’s not the age of the cabin design or even the outdated infotainment screen that you first notice as you lower yourself deep into those truly sublime Porsche one-piece sports seats, it’s more the build quality, as well as the look and feel of all the materials that make it all so special inside.

Here’s the thing. At a price point that sits nearly two-and-half-times less than a base 911 Carrera, the 718 Cayman Style Edition feels awfully similar in terms of driving position and general interior ambience. It’s just as low too, for those older folks with wonky knees.

The body-hugging seats fill you with confidence and overwhelming satisfaction as a Porsche driver. There are also beautifully fabricated components like the leather-wrapped GT sports steering wheel complete with screwed-in metal inlays at each of its three spokes.

While the latest Porsche models have transition to an all-digital design including the enlarged toggle switch for a shift lever, the Cayman still employs the same rock solid metal/leather PDK shifter from the 991 series 911 Carrera. No complaints from me either.

There’s also no push-button start. The Cayman still requires the driver to turn the half-fob like an old-school key fob you had to insert in the same 991. It’s all about driver engagement with Cayman and there’s plenty of it.

As much as I’ve embraced the very latest in in-car tech, I can’t help but rejoice in the number of buttons, dials and manually-moveable vents inside Cayman which make it all so analogue and utterly functional against some makes and models devoid of these entirely.

Granted, the pitifully-small 7.0-inch touchscreen unit is a relic of its 2016 model debut, but it’s still suitably responsive and there’s wireless Apple CarPlay, DAB+ digital radio and voice control.

Unlike the four-seat capacity of 911, Cayman is a strict two-seater. You’ll struggle to find enough storage space for keys, phones and wallets, and there are the same tricky cupholders that magically pop out of the dash when required.

Luggage space however is decent – all things considered.

Up front in the ‘frunk’ you’ve got a deep cavity capable of swallowing up to 150 litres, while lifting the hatch behind the seats reveals a solid 275 litres of useable space with a decently wide aperture but with less depth.

What’s under the bonnet?

Power comes from the same 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder boxer engine as the base-level Cayman and Boxster, producing 220kW of power at 6500rpm and 380Nm of torque between 2150rpm-4500rpm.

It’s paired with a six-speed manual as standard fitment, while the seven-speed PDK (dual-clutch auto) is optional for those wanting more versatility with their daily drive, as well as a quicker sprint time.

Our 718 Cayman tested here was fitted with the PDK auto transmission as well as the optional Sport Chrono Package, which sees it’s 0-100km/h sprint time fall from 4.9 seconds to 4.7 seconds, while the base manual needs 5.1 seconds.

Porsche claims 7.0L/100km on the combined fuel cycle, while the manual uses a tad more at 7.5L/100km. The Cayman has a 64L fuel tank and requires a minimum of 98 RON premium petrol. Using the Cayman for the daily commute we saw higher fuel usage at 11.4L/100km.

For reference, the 2.5-litre Cayman S variants make 257kW and 420Nm, with the manual version able to go from 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds and 4.2 seconds for the PDK auto.

How does the Porsche 718 Cayman Style Edition drive?

While some might dislike the idea of a mid-engine Porsche sports car powered by a diminutive 2.0-litre four-pot, there’s absolutely nothing shabby about the overall base Cayman package.

There is one thing slightly off-kilter here however. Turn the key and there’s no rorty start-up note from the motor. Rather it’s a gravelly mix of metal components seemingly out of sync, making a rather uninspiring and quite un-Porsche-like sound.

Despite this it’s certainly no slouch, especially the PDK auto tested here. Going from 0-100km/h in 4.7 seconds is perfectly respectable, and the linearity of the power delivery to the rear wheels is nicely calibrated in the Cayman.

It doesn’t have quite the punch as its more powerful Cayman siblings however, and at times it can even feel a tad sluggish off the line. Once you build a few revs though and hit the mid-range, the car wakes up and dispenses proper race pace.

If you not crawling along in peak-hour traffic, the Sport driving mode is where you want to be for its heightened throttle response and quick PDK gear changes. Even left to its own device, this piece of engineering excellence will be in perfect sync with your driving style of the moment.

That said, for maximum driver engagement you’ll want to take full advantage of the paddle-shifters. They’re beautifully fashioned in leather and lightweight metal too.

However, you’ll still need to wind it up proper for any semblance of acoustic satisfaction from the engine. Even then it never quite delivers the sound you might expect.

Then again that’s not where the base-powered Cayman really shines. It’s more the deft chassis at work in the twisties that will get you waxing lyrical about the ride and handling to anyone willing to listen.

Sitting on meaty Pirelli P-Zero rubber and lowered by 10mm thanks to the Porsche’s variable damper system (PASM), as fitted to our tester, it definitely looks the part even at idle. On the go however, it’s something quite special.

Its deft-handling recipe includes a kerb weight of just 1365kg, even with the heavier PDK auto transmission. Add to that a lightweight spring strut design on both axles, along Cayman’s precise electromechanical steering, and you’ve got the makings of a seriously engaging sports car capable of sublime corner shredding.

You’ll want to find the most challenging, corner-ridden stretch of untraveled road to fully explore Cayman’s talent. Even then this is a car you can keep dialling up the speed and it’s just as settled.

Broken road, bumps and small potholes don’t even seem to unsettle the car mid-corner with reasonable lock wound on. Don’t get me wrong though, it’s taught but somehow supple at the same time. It’s a Porsche thing and nobody does it better.

It’s during these heightened moments behind the wheel where you might be wishing for a bit more poke as you squeeze on the throttle on exits, because clearly this is a chassis capable of taming a lot more twist, but at the same time, the power-to-weight ratio also feels spot on in this base guise.

Grip from the Pirellis is also outstanding in both dry and wet conditions (I’m a Michelin man, but these tyres are impressive). There’s huge front-end bite on turn-in.

It’s the same story with the brakes. They’re not overly large, but are internally vented and cross-drilled. They also provide reassuring stopping power in any given situation.

What do you get?

718 Cayman Style Edition highlights:

• Black or white contrast packages
• Black leather seat trim with Crayon stitching
• Illuminated stainless steel kick plates
• Porsche crest in headrests
• LED headlights with Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS)
• Keyless entry and start
• Apple CarPlay
• Satellite navigation
• DAB digital radio
• Cruise control
• Auto-folding mirrors with courtesy lights
• Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel
• 14-way Sports seats with memory
• Heated seats
• Dual-zone climate control
• Light Design Package
• Full-colour Porsche crests on hub covers
• Black sports tailpipes
• Black floor mats with Crayon contrast stitching

Options as tested:

• Special colour – Crayon: $4430
• PDK transmission: $5340
• Adaptive cruise control: $2320
• Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) with 10mm lower ride height: $2700
• GT Sports steering wheel: $520
• Interior package in carbon: $2370
• Adaptive sports seats Plus (18-way electric) and memory package: $2560
• Sport Chrono package with mode switch: $4210
• Headlight cleaning system covers painted: $380
• Power steering Plus: $NCO

Total price for our 718 Cayman Style Edition tester came to: $161,530 before on-road costs.

Colours

Standard: $NCO

• White
• Black
• Guards Red
• Racing Yellow

Metallic: $1690

• Jet Black
• GT Silver
• Gentian Blu
• Agate Grey
• Aventurine Green

Special: $4430

• Crayon (as tested)
• Ruby Star Neo
• Arctic Grey
• Shark Blue
• Carmine Red
• Ice Grey Metallic

Is the Porsche 718 Cayman Style Edition safe?

The Porsche 718 Cayman has not been crash tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP and therefore does not get a safety rating.

The following safety equipment is standard:

• Six airbags
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Reverse camera
• Front and rear parking sensors

Adaptive cruise control is a $2320 option.

How much does it cost to run?

The Porsche 718 Cayman is covered by a three-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Owners can extend the warranty coverage for up to 15 years with extended warranty packages.

Services are required every 12 months or 15,000km – whichever comes first.

Service costs vary from dealer to dealer.

CarExpert’s Take on the Porsche 718 Cayman Style Edition

I don’t think there’s a single person on the planet that wouldn’t stretch to a 4.0-litre flat-six Cayman if they had the means, but that doesn’t mean the Style Edition with its small displacement motor tested here isn’t any good.

As the auto world charges head first into an electrified future there’s something quite compelling about a cosmetically-fettled entry Porsche two-seater that offers an endlessly rewarding driving experience courtesy of a chassis created by pure engineering know-how.

The fact this 2.0-litre flat-four engine doesn’t sound much chop still irks me – but not enough to dull what is surely one of the most engaging, if not sorted driving experiences this side of $200,000.

It’s just fabulous.

Click the image for the full gallery

BUY: Porsche 718MORE: Everything Porsche 718

Pros

• The benchmark entry-level sports car
• Turns more heads than a base 911
• Next-gen is electric, so it’s a collectable

Cons

• Exhaust note is still uninspiring at 5000rpm
• Storage space in the cabin is tight
• Infotainment hardware is almost a decade old

Top Line Specs

• Power: 220kW
• Fuel Type: Unleaded Petrol
• Economy: 7.0L/100km
• CO2 Emissions: 160g/km
• ANCAP Safety Rating: Untested