Awe-inspiring performance. The 2019 Porsche 718 Cayman may be the brand's entry-level option, but few can handle corners with the same aplomb. With a mid-engine design, the 718 Cayman is quick, agile, and incredibly balanced. In typical Porsche fashion, feedback is excellent and the suspension is perfectly damped for spirited driving.
The most potent model, the 718 Cayman GTS has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that pumps out 365 horsepower. With that much power in a small package, the model can get to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds. Those figures are far from entry-level in any sense of the word.
Exotic design. The 718 Cayman is a gorgeous vehicle from any angle. Sculpted lines replace the old model's softer edges, while a sharper overall design gives the sports car a more aggressive feel. For such a small vehicle, the sports car comes off as being muscular.
On the inside, the 718 Cayman has enough buttons to make you feel like you're working at NASA. Busy? Yes, but it's driver oriented and beautiful. High-end materials envelop two passengers, while the steering wheel is from the 918 Spyder.
Strong list of equipment. With a starting price of $58,150, the 718 Cayman comes with a good list of standard features. Things like an eight-speaker sound system, a universal garage door opener, front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, automatic climate control, sport seats, and a sport steering wheel are all standard. Climbing up the ladder reveals more luxurious options.
Tight on space. While the cabin itself is relatively spacious for two people, cargo space is downright small. With a mid-engine design, you get two cargo areas: a frunk and a trunk. Between the two, you're looking at a total of 15 cubic feet of available cargo space.
Getting into the vehicle is a reminder of why staying limber is important, as some will find ingress and egress tricky. Those not attending a regular yoga class might want to start if they plan on purchasing.
Final thoughts. Very few cars get close to being perfect, but the 2019 Porsche 718 Cayman gets awfully close. There's very little to fault with the sports car, which makes it a must-drive vehicle. Unfortunately, it's not cheap.
Sports cars like the 718 Cayman are meant to be enjoyed on a winding road, but the Porsche also manages to be easy to drive. And because of its compact size, you won't have anxiety when trying to park. If only it weren't so expensive and had better fuel economy.
The 718 Cayman doesn't have a lot of competition. The BMW M2 has more horsepower and two tiny seats in the back. The Audi TT, depending on what trim you go with, has more power and all-wheel drive. The Jaguar F-Type can also be had with much more power, plus it's even better looking in our opinion.
