2022 Porsche 718 Cayman

2022 Porsche 718 Cayman Review

　　Alex Nishimoto has worked in the automotive industry since 2007. He was a staff writer for MotorTrend for 10 years and since then has contributed to CNET, PRI, AutoWise and other publications.

　　, rating written byAlex NishimotoSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　For much of its existence the Porsche Cayman has been considered by many to be a great sports car in need of a truly great engine. Whether it was a lack of power or a lack of aural excitement, the final product left a lot of us wanting. But things changed when Porsche finally addressed both issues by introducing a 414-horsepower six-cylinder engine in the 2020 718 Cayman GT4. And Porsche doesn't seem to be done either. For the 2022 718 Cayman, there's the new GT4 RS.

　　That model packs the same 4.0-liter flat-six as the 911 GT3, though slightly detuned to 493 hp, and comes loaded with go-fast goodies that will make it an absolute beast on track. Compared to the normal GT4, the GT4 RS is available solely with Porsche's PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission and also gets performance add-ons such as aerodynamic bodywork, a large rear spoiler, unique suspension tuning and weight-reducing interior materials.

　　All 718 Caymans, by way of their mid-engine design and light curb weight, provide exceptional handling, steering and driver engagement. But they're rather expensive for what you get, especially when you can buy a significantly quicker Chevrolet Corvette for about the same price as a base Cayman. Even the Toyota GR Supra starts looking pretty attractive once you spec a Cayman the way you like. Then again, it's hard to put a price on the smile this car puts on your face. Read our in-depth Expert Rating to see if the 2022 Porsche 718 Cayman is for you.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.4

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

　　How does the 718 Cayman drive? There are certain situations in which driving the Cayman feels like absolute bliss. It is not mind-bendingly fast but it wants to be driven hard. If you do that — especially on a winding road where the genius of the perfectly weighted steering and world-class handling are on full display — the Cayman is worth its weight in gold. The brakes have incredible stopping power and good durability.

　　Our test 718 Cayman S with a manual transmission accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. That's not great, though the PDK automatic-equipped car is noticeably quicker. We're not fond of the base 2.0-liter engine. It provides ample passing power, but full acceleration leaves something to be desired due to tall gearing. The shifts of the dual-clutch automatic transmission can also be jarring at low speeds, though it smooths out once you build speed.

Comfort

　　How comfortable is the 718 Cayman? Even though the optional sport seats have only a few adjustments, they're well shaped and adequately cushioned for long-distance comfort. The ventilated seat option is also a welcome addition on hot days. Our test Cayman S had the optional PASM sport suspension. With it, smaller bumps are nicely smoothed out, but driving over larger bumps can launch you out of your seat for a moment.

　　Engine and exhaust noises are loud enough to be considered deal-breakers. With the sport exhaust, the four-cylinder engine is coarse and unrefined, sounding like a poorly tuned Subaru. The base Cayman is worse. Wind noise is nonexistent by comparison, but road noise is intrusive on coarse asphalt.

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