2017 Porsche 718 Cayman Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
- 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
- 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
What’s new
Vehicle overview
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.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
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.
2017 Porsche 718 Cayman models
The 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman is a two-seat high-performance coupe that is available either in base Cayman or Cayman S trims.
