Most people on earth will agree that evolution is a good thing. Getting better, and improving over time should always be something we strive for in all things, right? The automotive world is a perfect microcosm of evolution constantly at work, and year after year we see car designers and engineers constantly tweaking and tuning to provide more and more, or risk discontinuation.

Porsche introduced the Cayman back in 2005, and in doing so created problems for competitors like the Chevy Camaro, the ever-present and competitive BMW M3/M4, and more recently the resurrected Toyota Supra and Jaguar F-Type.

But with the inception of the Cayman, Porsche also created a world of competition and chaos for themselves as well. Since 2017 Porsche has renamed the Cayman the 718 Cayman as a way to pay homage to their legendary 718 race car, and the 2023 Porsche 718 Cayman does a great job at both respecting, and disrespecting history.

2023 Porsche 718 Cayman

9.00 / 10
Key Features
  • Perfect 50/50 Front/Rear Weight Bias
  • Optional Sport Chrono Package
  • Traditional 6-Speed Manual Standard
Specifications
  • Model: 718 Cayman
  • Engine/Motor: 2.0-2.5 Liter Flat-Four, 4.0-Liter Flat-Six
  • Horsepower: 300-493 Horsepower
  • Torque: 280-331 Pound-Feet
  • Drivetrain: Rear Wheel Drive
  • Transmission: 6-Speed Manual Or 7-Speed DCT Auto
Pros
  • Intoxicating Flat-6 Exhaust Sound
  • 0-60 In 3.2 Seconds For GT4 RS
  • Optional Carbon-Ceramic Brakes
Cons
  • Options Are Almost All A La Carte
  • Uninspiring Flat-4 Exhaust Sound
  • 150K Price Tag For The GT4 RS

2023 Porsche 718 Cayman Vs The 911

Porsche Cayman GT4 RS Yellow
Via: AutoCar

To switch gears for a second (no pun intended), when Porsche created the venerable 911 that we all know and have loved for decades, they created the 911 with an inherent flaw in its DNA. The rear-mounted engine sat way past the rear axle, and that setup caused some serious issues and challenges for less-than-professional drivers. Now sure, much like the original Dodge Viper was, the original 911 models were just as likely to embarrass other cars on the highway as they were likely to humiliate a driver that wasn't paying complete attention. Over time, Porsche has slowly moved the engine closer and closer to mid-mount to help the 911 be more predictable on the road, but when they designed the Cayman, they were able to circumvent decades of history and purists sending hate mail and simply create a car that has perfect 50/50 weight distribution, but also was incredibly easy to drive.

2023 Porsche 718 Cayman Engine Options

Porsche Cayman GT4 in yellow rear third quarter accelerating view
Via: Porsche

For 2023, Porsche has several trim options available for the 718 Cayman, all of which are hard not to love. The Base and T models come with the same 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-4 cylinder engine that produces a legit 300 horsepower at 6,500 RPM and 280 pound-feet of torque from 1,950-4,500 RPM. Upgrade to the S model, and you get a 2.5-liter turbocharged flat-4 that ups the ante to a more impressive 350-horsepower at 6,500 RPM and 309 pound-feet of torque from 1,900-4,500 RPM.

Related: 10 Reasons Why You Should Buy A Cayman GT4 RS Instead Of A 911

If you're willing to spend a little more money, you can upgrade to the next level of 718 Cayman. The GTS 4.0 and GT4 both use a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-6 that produces 394-horsepower in the GTS and 414-horsepower in the exceptional GT4, both at 7,000 RPM while both make 309 or 317 pound-feet of torque depending on if you choose the manual or automatic transmission respectively. More on transmission in a just a moment.

The GT4 RS Is The Fastest Cayman Model Available

2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Rear Dynamic
via: Porsche

The top of the line Cayman is the GT4 RS, while utilizes the same sweet-sounding 4.0-liter flat-6 but makes a silly 493-horsepower at a sky-high 8,400 RPM and 331 pound-feet of torque at 6,250 RPM, with redline coming at a spine-tingling 9,000 RPM. Other than the GT4 RS, regardless of what engine and trim you choose, Porsche offers two very impressive transmission choices. You can choose the slick-shifting traditional 6-speed manual or the lightning-quick 7-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission that comes with nicely placed steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters (the RS is PDK only).

In true sports car fashion, power is then sent off to just the rear wheels, where all models except the GT4 and GT4 RS have twenty-inch rims shod in 235/35-R20 front and 265/35-R20 Pirelli PZero rear summer tires. The high-end models use bigger and more race-ready 245/35-ZR20 front and 295/30-ZR20 rear Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R rubber.

Related: Here's How The C8 Corvette Compares With The Porsche 718 Cayman

In terms of performance, the Cayman does so in spades, and how fast you want to go just depends on how much money you want to spend. According to Porsche, the base Cayman has a top speed of 170 MPH can run from 0-60 MPH in just 4.5 seconds if you opt for the PDK and Chrono Package, which is a performance package option that offers up things like selectable drive modes (Normal, Sport, Sport Plus, and Individual), launch control, torque-vectoring and a limited-slip differential. At the high-end of price and performance, the GT4 RS has a top speed of 196 MPH, and can make the same run to 60 MPH in just 3.2 seconds.

The Interior Of The Porsche 718 Cayman

Porsche Cayman GT4 interior view
Porsche

Inside, the Cayman continues the evolutionary theme with a very driver-centric cockpit that utilizes easy to find (and read) gauges, and comfortable, yet supportive adjustable bucket seats up front. Again, in pure sports car fashion, the biggest and easiest to see gauge is the mechanical tachometer that allows the driver to stay in the powerband easily. An intuitive infotainment touchscreen sits dead center of the dashboard and is only compatible with Apple CarPlay (sorry Android). A Bose stereo comes standard, while there is a 12-speaker 821-watt Burmester sound system is optional.

Related: Track Attack Canada Pits 718 Cayman GT4 Vs. Camaro ZL1 1LE For Track-Ready Supremacy

Although tiny, the Cayman does offer a somewhat useable trunk out back, and a versatile frunk up front to allow for a fun weekend getaway without sacrificing several outfits. To keep all that cargo safe, the Cayman comes available with adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, as well as rain-sensing wipers and both front and rear parking assist.

The 2023 Porsche 718 Cayman Base Price Is $63,400

Porsche 718 Cayman Rear 3/4 View Yellow
via: Porsche

Porsche offers the Cayman up in a myriad of options, with most features coming in à la carte fashion, so perspective buyers can add things onto their plate as they wish until their hunger for speed and luxury fills up. The Base 718 Cayman comes in with an MSRP of $63,400 while at the other end of the spectrum, the GT4 RS comes in at nearly two and a half times more at $149,100.

The 718 Cayman Might Be The Best Porsche Made Today

Porsche Cayman vs 911 Rear 3/4 View
via Autobild

The 2023 718 Cayman is the epitome of sports car evolution. Power, balance, precision, luxury and a pure goal of providing a wonderful and predictable driving experience for anyone of any experience level. Some argue that the 718 Cayman is the best pure sports car on the market, and they have a lot of evidence to support that position. But there will always be a faction of 911 purists that will never accept the 718 even as an equal to their legendary icon, never mind the blasphemous thought that the Cayman might actually be a better all-around sports car. It is true that the Cayman does not have nearly six decades of history and nostalgia behind it, but we are fast approaching two decades with the Cayman, and as we've seen throughout history, over a long enough timeline, evolution usually wins out.