2017 Porsche 718 Cayman

Pros: Impressive build quality, invigorating acceleration, agile handling; broad range of options for personalization

Cons: All those options really drive up the sticker price

CG Says: Porsche’s “entry-level” two-seat sports car is extensively revamped for 2017, gaining a new name, two new engines, and revised styling inside and out. The suspension and steering have also been retuned. The Cayman is no longer 6-cylinder powered—the flat-six cylinder engines are replaced by a pair of turbocharged flat-fours. (The new “718” designation is a reference to a 4-cylinder-powered Le Mans-winning Porsche race car introduced in 1957.) The base engine for the 718 Cayman is a 300-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, while the S is powered by a 2.5-liter version with 350 horsepower. Cayman is the hardtop-coupe variant of Porsche’s two-seat, mid-engine Boxster convertible—which is also revised this year. We classify both as Premium Sporty/Performance Cars. Available features include keyless access and starting, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot alert. Though its mid-engine layout compromises passenger and cargo space somewhat, Cayman is surprisingly practical, and its road manners and mechanical sophistication will delight the most discriminating driver. While most rival sports cars offer superior power and a much better features-per-dollar ratio, they typically don’t match Porsche’s brand cachet and high trade-in values. Be careful when selecting options, though, as checking just a few boxes can send prices quickly skyward.

ROAD TESTS AND ADDITIONAL INFO

Porsche Goes 4-Cylinder: Boxster and Cayman Get New “718” Badge, Turbo Engines

2018 Porsche 718 Cayman Review

2016 Porsche Cayman Review