2017 Porsche 718 Cayman
Pros
- New turbocharged engines deliver stirring performance while returning improved fuel efficiency numbers
- Porsche's PDK automated transmission is the best in the business
- Sharp handling instills confidence
- It has more cargo space than you'd think
Cons
- New four-cylinder engines don't sound as good as their six-cylinder predecessors
- Features that you might expect as standard are often costly options
2017 Porsche 718 Cayman pricing
in Ashburn, VAEdmunds' Expert Review
Overall rating
Porsche isn't known for making drastic changes when it redesigns one of its models. Porsches evolve over time in a never-ending quest for perfection. The latest redesign for the 2017 718 Cayman follows on the heels of the 718 Boxster convertible. Both models added the "718" designation to their names as an homage to the company's 718 racecars of the late 1950s.
Besides the added numerical name, the casual observer will probably find the Cayman's changes subtle. In reality, it's an all-new car. The most significant change is the switch to a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in place of the previous non-turbocharged six-cylinder. Despite the fact that it's down two cylinders, the new engine is both more powerful and more fuel-efficient.
We expect the overall performance to make incremental improvements, too. We say incremental not just for Porsche's evolutionary strategy, but also because the previous Cayman was already one of the best sports cars out there. On the downside, Porsche is comparably light on standard features, and its roster of options are expensive.
The latest evolution of the Porsche Cayman is subtle, with the most significant change being the engine.
We have yet to drive the new 718 Cayman for ourselves, but the anticipation is palpable. In the meantime, there are other sport coupes that could be considered. These include the new Audi TTS and BMW M2, both of which have more standard and available features for a slightly lower price. For a distinctly American set of rivals, we'd suggest the new Ford Shelby GT350 and the returning Chevrolet Corvette. The good news is, there's no loser in the bunch.
Standard safety features for all 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman models include antilock brakes, stability and traction control, front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera and airbags for the head, thorax and knees. The Porsche Car Connect option adds emergency telephone assistance that is paired with the user's smartphone.
2017 Porsche 718 Cayman configurations
The 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman is a two-seat high-performance coupe that is available either in base Cayman or Cayman S trims.
Standard features include 18-inch wheels with performance summer tires (Cayman S gets 19-inch wheels), xenon headlights with LED running lights, heated mirrors, an auto-deployed rear spoiler, front and rear parking sensors, water-repellent side windows, full power accessories, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, partial leather upholstery, six-way adjustable sport seats with electric backrest adjustments, cruise control, automatic climate control, a universal garage door opener, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, a 7-inch touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system with CD player, 11GB of music storage, satellite and HD radio and iPod/USB/SD-auxiliary input.
Most options are available as stand-alone features or bundled in packages and include several 19- and 20-inch wheel designs, adaptive headlights, LED adaptive headlights, headlight washers, auto-dimming mirrors, a rear window wiper, power-folding mirrors, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated seats, 14-way power-adjustable seats, upgraded seats with more aggressive bolstering with either manual or power adjustments, full leather upholstery, a navigation system with Google map services, Apple CarPlay, a 10-speaker Bose audio upgrade, a 12-speaker premium Burmester audio system and a WiFi hotspot.
The addition of "718" to the Cayman name is a nod to one of Porsche's most iconic racecars from the 1950s.
On the performance front, options include a power steering upgrade for lighter low-speed effort, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) that adds adaptive dampers and lowers ride height 10mm (the Cayman S is eligible for PASM Sport that lowers it 20mm), Porsche Torque Vectoring (a brake-based differential), ceramic composite brakes and a sport exhaust.
Also available is the Porsche Sport Chrono package includes dynamic transmission mounts, a digital and analog stopwatch mounted atop the dash, a driving mode switch on the steering wheel, launch control (for PDK models), an additional performance display and a Sport response button that sharpens engine and transmission response for 20 seconds.
As with other Porsches, 718 Cayman buyers can choose from several interior trim choices that include wood, carbon fiber, aluminum and alcantara.
The 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine that is mounted directly behind the seats. It produces 300 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque that is sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. A seven-speed PDK automated dual-clutch transmission is optional. Porsche estimates the PDK with the optional Sport Chrono package will get the Cayman to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds on its way to a 170 mph top speed.
The 718 Cayman S uses a slightly larger version (2.5-liters) of the same engine that produces 350 hp and 309 lb-ft of torque. It is estimated to reach 60 mph in 4.0 seconds, with a 177 mph top speed.
The EPA estimates fuel economy for the 718 Cayman at 24 mpg combined (21 city/28 highway) with the manual transmission and 25 mpg combined (22/30) for the PDK. The 718 Cayman S is rated at 22 mpg combined (20 city/26 highway) for the manual and 24 mpg combined (21/28) for the PDK.
Driving
Interior
In the typical Porsche fashion, the 2017 718 Cayman's interior changes are subtle when compared to the previous generation, and that's a good thing. The cabin is smartly designed for ease of use, and the materials used throughout are impeccable. There is an abundance of buttons, but they are logically placed and well labeled.
Anyone who has been in a contemporary Porsche will feel right at home in the new 718 Cayman.
Sport coupes aren't known for convenience, but the 718 Cayman does well in this regard thanks to two separate cargo spaces. Up front, under what would normally be the hood, are 5.3 cubic feet of space. Behind the engine, where you'd expect a trunk, are another 4.4 cubic feet.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman.
Most helpful consumer reviews
2017 Porsche 718 Cayman videos
Shh on this episode of let's just call it zero to sixty 101 we have a Porsche Cayman this is not the S it's just the standard came in its got roughly 300 horsepower from the flat four which is right there we've got a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox and we're gonna see how fast we can go in a straight line first thing we do before we get in launch control out is just mash the gas to see how fast it goes in the key up settings which is stability control on basically the settings you get ahead you would just turn the car on so to call the key up all right I've talked enough let's just nail the gas and go so clutch engage it's a little long initially to get out of the hole and you know despite this 4-cylinder this flat for having a solid mid-range it does Rev nicely up to let's say it looks like about 7500 rpm which which feels good gearing feels a little tall the initial key up acceleration is it's pretty quick for a 300 horsepower and this is a pretty low weight vehicle - and considering how kind of gradual that launch was that's not a bad performance all things considered but next we'll get into some of the more fun settings or run number - I got this little dial here I'm going to turn to Sport Plus or S Plus that's gonna put the dampers in firm put that and soft so we go the more weight transfer I'm gonna turn stability control off I'm not exactly sure how we getting launch control but maybe this is it we'll find out that's what we do left foot hard on the brake right foots gonna nail the gas Rebs are going to shoot up hopefully and I'm gonna release the brake let's do it wow that's a high launch 6,000 rpm or so and way faster already way faster that cuts significant time off the acceleration Wow so the initial launch the first launch the keyup launch mashing the gas there's a little bit of clutch engage and I want to say it like 3,000 rpm or so when I did it in Sport+ with stability control off the tack shot up to like 6100 6200 rpm release the brake and it's not a quick clutch engagement there's still a little bit of time as the car figures out how to do that as smoothly but also as quickly as possible but the acceleration improvements are massive as I'm saying the raw data right here and you might see right there well do you know one or two more runs just to see if that changes I don't think it will consistency is the name of the game with a car like this because there's not much to change an automatic I can't change the clutch shifting manually is just gonna be slower I've tried it the cars gonna up shift better than I can all right let's put the dampers in firm and see if that affects anything I suspect it won't but let's find out hold the brake right front mash the gas release the brake and that's it Wow it actually goes up to 6500 but it cuts down quickly 300 slower 216 and no change in the corner or I just missed it the first time so what I'm gonna try to do on the last run which probably the last run revs Flair up to 6500 but then kind of get controlled back down to 62 I wonder if if I get off the brake quick enough if I can catch it right as they flare up to 6,500 rpm I suspect that it controls it because there might be a better launch happening at 61 that the transmission and clutches may be able to figure out that launch better but hey more engine speed gets you out of the hole faster provided you have the traction all right last runs okay here we go three two one I didn't get it no well and effectively no change to acceleration that's been a handful of acceleration runs in the Porsche came in zero to 60 101 that title catchy let me let us know if it is or if it is it will keep coming up with them if you like what you see keep it tuned here to youtube.com slash Edmunds and if you want the best car buying resources you can find online go to edmunds.com [Music]
2017 Porsche 718 Cayman Acceleration Test
The latest version of the Porsche 718 Cayman may have fewer cylinders, but its new range of turbocharged engines offers more power. How does that translate into forward acceleration? That's what Edmunds Senior Writer Carlos Lago finds out in this acceleration test. Featured in this video is the base model 718 Cayman, which receives motivation from a turbocharged 2.0-liter flat-four with 300 horsepower. Though a manual transmission is standard, this test car has the fast-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Features & Specs
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See your car's valueThe 2017 Porsche Cayman is the company's entry-level coupe, but don't let that fool you. This is one of the best-performing sports cars for any price, with a mid-mounted engine for perfect balance and a driving experience that will leave you breathless.
Porsche has redesigned the Cayman for 2017, in tandem with its drop-top sibling, the Boxster. It gets a new "718" to go along with its name, too. Visually, the car looks a lot like last year's Cayman, but there are significant changes underneath.
Most notably, the 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman no longer has six-cylinder powerplants. Instead, it has turbocharged four-cylinders. The base model gets a 2.0-liter engine that produces 300 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, while the Cayman S gets a 2.5-liter engine putting out 350 hp and 309 lb-ft. Both engines can be had with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic. Edmunds has not yet track-tested the Cayman, but Porsche tells us that the 2.0-liter car with a PDK and the Sport Chrono package will get to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, while a Cayman S will do it in 4.0 seconds.
The 718 Cayman's interior is nicely set up for two. Quality, as we have come to expect from Porsche, is impeccable, and the 718 Cayman has a long list of options that allow the driver to create a cabin environment best suited to his or her tastes. The dash layout features a lot of buttons, but Porsche has grouped them logically. Like the Boxster, the 718 Cayman splits its storage space into two small trunks, offering 5.3 cubic feet of space in the nose and 4.4 behind the mid-mounted engine. You can pack in a lot, but large suitcases and golf clubs will need to ride in the cabin.
As for the driving experience, we haven't had enough seat time to pass judgement, but our experience with the closely related 718 Boxster has us very optimistic. We were big fans of the outgoing Cayman, which was quick, lively and electrifying to drive. We've been equally impressed by the new 718 Boxster, though we do miss the six-cylinder soundtrack — the four-cylinder engine just doesn't sound as good — and we're not sure the hard ride of the optional Porsche Active Suspension Management is worth the improvement in handling over the standard setup.
Porsche sells the Cayman in Base and S trims, the primary differentiator being the engine. Standard equipment is pretty thin compared to other luxury-sport coupes, but like other Porsche models the 718 Cayman offers an extraordinarily long options list, with enough expensive goodies to literally double the price of the car. Edmunds can help find the perfect 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman for you.
2017 Porsche 718 Cayman Overview
The 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman is offered in the following submodels: 718 Cayman Coupe. Available styles include S 2dr Coupe (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M), and 2dr Coupe (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M).
What do people think of the 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2017 718 Cayman 4.5 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2017 718 Cayman.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2017 718 Cayman featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
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Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
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