The Porsche Cayman is one of the least-expensive Porsche models you can buy, yet it’s easy to make it yours and therefore not a compromise. Consider the Cayman against the Chevrolet Corvette, the Audi R8, and the related Porsche Boxster roadster.

What’s New for the 2023 Porsche Cayman

The Porsche Cayman was introduced in 2016, and 2023 marks its seventh year. The 718 Cayman is as accessible of a new Porsche as you’ll find, though it can be optioned to be much more. The two-seat Cayman is essentially the coupe base for the related 718 Boxster convertible, with shared engineering, performance, and styling. Since the Cayman’s introduction, it’s been kept fresh with regular performance and tech upgrades, as well as special editions.

Design

The Porsche Cayman, as one of the brand’s most affordable cars, is also one of its simplest in terms of styling. In standard form, the Cayman speaks for itself, with only a few details, like its massive brakes, to hint at its performance. This coupe wears an elegant and timeless shape, though there are numerous options to dress it up. Porsche offers a massive range of premium alloy wheel packages, sporty details like stripes and spoilers, and a phenomenal range of exterior colors that puts other automakers to shame. For a more unique Cayman, check out Porsche’s PTS (Paint To Sample) program, which can deliver your new car in almost any color you want-for a price.

Powertrain

The Porsche 718 Cayman comes with rear-wheel drive (RWD) across the lineup, with a choice of engines and transmissions. A six-speed manual transmission comes standard with every trim level, except for the top GT4 RS, which comes standard with the seven-speed PDK (for "Porsche Doppelkupplung") dual-clutch automatic transmission that’s optional across the rest of the lineup. There are five engine choices, one more than in the related Boxster. The 718 Cayman and 718 Cayman T come with a 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four engine that makes 300 horsepower. The Cayman S gets a turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four that makes 350 hp. The GTS 4.0 and GT4 get a 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat six-cylinder with 394 hp and 414 hp, respectively, and finally, the GT4 RS makes 493 hp from its 4.0-liter six.

Interior

The Porsche Cayman is a cozy space for the driver and just one passenger. The cabin is snug and rides low to the ground, and there isn’t much storage space. Unlike the Boxster, which feels a little less claustrophobic thanks to its convertible top, the Cayman can feel confining. However, it’s generally well-built and stylish, with comfortable seats and a ton of interior upgrades. It comes standard with heated front seats, and it can be upgraded with a wide range of upholstery choices and colors, as well as thoughtful touches like available color-coded seat belts.

Technology

The 2023 Porsche Cayman comes with only essential technology features, namely a 7-inch touch-screen infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth. Android users should note that Android Auto is not available. An eight-speaker audio system is also included, though there are tempting premium audio options available from Bose and Burmester. Other options include remote and proximity keyless entry and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Safety

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) haven’t crash-tested a Porsche Cayman, nor are they likely to. That’s common for vehicles in this class. The Cayman includes a reversing camera and front and rear parking sensors. Porsche offers adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, lane-change assist, and blind-spot monitoring.

Pricing

The 2023 Porsche Cayman is currently on sale. As of this writing, Porsche lists pricing for the base Cayman at $63,400, which is a great deal if you’re happy with the value pick, though it is just a couple thousand less than the closely-related convertible Porsche Boxster. That said, Cayman pricing increases rapidly after the base trim. The Cayman T lists for $72,500, the Cayman S costs $75,400, the Cayman GTS starts at $90,300, the Cayman GT4 goes for $106,500, and the Cayman GT4 RS that was introduced for 2022 starts at $149,100. Porsche offers a mind-boggling menu of options that can easily push any Cayman beyond your budget, such as upgraded performance features, creature-comfort upgrades like seating and technology, and custom styling like color-coded interior surfaces, gauges, and seat belts.