The 2019 Porsche 718 Cayman positions near the top of the luxury sports car class. Although the 2019 Porsche 718 Cayman is the smallest and most affordable Porsche, the 2019 Cayman is not some watered-down VW sporting a fancy badge, it is a genuine performance machine which in its most potent form can easily rival cars such as the Chevrolet Corvette, Ford Mustang GT350 as well as the Porsche 911.

The 2019 Porsche 718 Cayman delivers crisp driving dynamics, thrilling driver engagement, and clean-cut styling. Additionally, it earns a good reliability score. Despite being near the base of this Porsche pyramid, the Cayman coupe is an enthralling machine that offers unrivaled feedback to the driver. Its expertly tuned chassis is supplemented by three different flat-four-cylinder motors and either a manual or automatic transmission.

Precise steering, superlative handling, and quick acceleration all contribute to why I feel the 2019 Porsche 718 Cayman is among the best sports cars on the planet. In its raw form, this two-seat, mid-engine sports coupe gives the balanced driving dynamics of a Mazda Miata, but with each performance knob cranked to 11.

If taking your expensive sports car to the racetrack is in your future, the 718 Cayman’s features list includes exotic features like carbon-ceramic brakes, an adaptive sport suspension, a brake-based differential, plus much more. If basking in an upscale luxury interior is more your speed, you are likely to enjoy the fine leather and available interior enhancements.

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2019 Porsche 718 Cayman Features and Configurations

The 2019 Porsche 718 Cayman is a two-seat sports coupe available in Cayman, Cayman S and Cayman GTS configurations. The Cayman has a turbocharged 2.0-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine (a flat-four) generating 300 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. The S has a turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four making 350 hp and 309 lb-ft. The Cayman GTS employs this engine but power jumps to 365 hp. A six-speed manual transmission is standard across the board, however, a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission (which Porsche call’s PDK) is optional.

Cayman ($56,900)

Standard features on the base model 2019 Porsche 718 Cayman comprise of 18-inch wheels and tires, performance summer tires, xenon headlights, LED running lights, heated mirrors, front and rear parking sensors, automatic climate control, a rearview camera, six-way adjustable seats (ability recline, manual height and slide), a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, partial leather upholstery, a 7-inch touchscreen, two USB ports, and an eight-speaker sound system using a CD/DVD player and HD and satellite radio.

Cayman S ($69,300)

The 718 Cayman S simply differs in its bigger, more powerful motor, 19-inch wheels and tires and dual exhaust pipes. Power output increases to 350 horsepower with the Porsche Cayman S. Along with its bigger engine, the Cayman S includes a twin tailpipe, sport-styled pedals, a sport-designed footrest, and red brake calipers.

Cayman GTS ($80,700)

The 718 Cayman GTS marginally increases horsepower and provides unique front and rear fascias, a faux-suede-wrapped steering wheel and leather/faux-suede combination upholstery. Additionally, the GTS configuration adds a couple of features that are optional on the base Cayman and Cayman S, such as 20-inch wheels and tires, a sport exhaust system with black-painted tailpipes, Porsche Torque Vectoring (a brake-based differential), and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), which includes adaptive springs and shocks and lowers the ride height by 10mm.

Also included is the Porsche Sport Chrono package, which offers dynamic transmission mounts, a digital and analog stopwatch mounted beneath the dashboard, a driving mode switch on the steering wheel, launch controller (for PDK versions), an extra performance screen, along with a Sport response button which sharpens engine and transmission reaction for 20 seconds.

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Packages and Options

Like every Porsche, the packages and options list is extensive, allowing for a whole lot of customization. Performance add-ons include a variety of 19- and 20-inch wheels and tires, a steering update and ceramic-composite brakes. The Cayman S and GTS will also be entitled to a PASM system which lowers the ride height by 20mm.

Comfort and convenience features include adaptive headlights, LED adaptive headlights, headlight washers, auto-dimming mirrors, a rear window wiper, power-folding mirrors, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot tracking, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated seats, 14-way power-adjustable chairs, upgraded seats with more aggressive bolstering and either manual or electric adjustments, many kinds of upgraded leather and upholstery, a navigation system, Apple CarPlay, a 10-speaker Bose audio update, plus a 12-speaker premium Burmester sound system.

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2019 Porsche 718 Cayman Interior and Cargo

The Sports steering wheel with its puristic design, the ascending center console, the 3 round gauges in the instrument cluster with the rev counter positioned in the middle: everything in the interior of the 718 Cayman is meant to place the driver first. All buttons and functions are intuitive to operate, all info is always ready to hand.

Porsche Communication Management (PCM) with a 7-inch touchscreen display and optional navigation module enhances function and form and the discretionary Connect or Connect Plus module is your driver’s gateway to the digital world.

The instrument cluster with a 4.6-inch color screen gives you a continuous stream of information on the on-board computer. Additionally, it shows the map of the optional navigation system, provides various warnings and reminds you of your preferred communication and audio preferences.

The substances used in the 2019 Porsche 718 Cayman are just as suited to this sporty challenge. Leather and Alcantara are simple to grip, while the cushioned Sports chairs offer support during dynamic cornering maneuvers.

The Sport-Tex leather interior is available in puristic black or the stylish two-tone mix of Graphite Blue and Crayon. Sport-Tex offers excellent breathability, good support, and an expressive look. A sporty detail is added in the seam design of the Sports chairs Plus with selected ornamental stitching in a contrasting color.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The Cayman’s infotainment system is simple and provides generally quick response times to user inputs. However, Porsche nickels and dimes customers by charging extra for features like Apple CarPlay and navigation. Android users will be disappointed to learn that the Cayman is not accessible to Android Auto. In a car this expensive, that is a massive negative.

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2019 Porsche 718 Cayman Fuel Economy

The base model 718 Cayman is powered with a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder motor that generates 300 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. Every version is rear-wheel drive and comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission. A dual-clutch automatic manual transmission named PDK is an alternative. Fuel economy estimates are 21 miles per gallon in the city, 28 mpg on the highway and 24 mpg in combined driving with the manual gearbox. The PDK raises those quotes to 22 mpg city/29 mpg hwy/25 mpg combined.

The 718 Cayman S has a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder great for 350 hp and 309 lb-ft of torque. Its fuel economy estimates are 20 mpg city/26 mpg hwy/22 mpg together with the manual and 21 mpg city/28 mpg hwy/24 mpg together with the PDK.

The top-tier 718 Cayman GTS, which packs a milder version of this turbo-four from the S model making 365 hp and up to 317 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy is 19 mpg city/25 mpg hwy/21 mpg together with the manual and 1 mpg better in all three categories with the PDK automatic transmission.

Safety

The 718 Cayman comes standard with anti-lock brakes, stability control, front knee airbags, seat-mounted side-body airbags, door-mounted side head airbags, a rearview camera, and parking sensors. The optional adaptive cruise control system contains a forward-collision warning and automatic braking system. There is also a blind spot monitoring system accessible called Lane Change Assist. The available Porsche Link provides automatic emergency support and remote services such as a stolen car locator and distant door locking/unlocking.

Final Thoughts

Do not presume the 718 Cayman is half of the automobile the 911 is simply because it is half the cost. The Cayman is a real Porsche in relation to both performance and interior refinement, and it earns an admirable predicted reliability score. This sports coupe has no significant marks against it, though shoppers should keep your eye on the cost when adding features because these can be expensive.

If you are in the market for a 2019 Porsche 718 Cayman, try as many versions of the Cayman as possible. That means different engines, transmissions, suspensions, steering systems, exhausts, interior color schemes … whatever. There is so much from which to choose, you owe it to yourself to have as much experience with the Cayman as possible to be sure you purchase the Cayman that is perfectly optioned for you. For my money, I would prefer a Cayman GTS with a manual transmission, PASM, the sports exhaust, and possibly one of these special colors as opposed to the more customary gray, white or black.