Porsche 718 Cayman (2017–2023): The Mid-Engine Sweet Spot

I’ve spent more weekends than I’d admit to my accountant chasing sunsets in a Porsche 718 Cayman. Tight B-roads, long highway slogs, even a run to the airport when I was late (sorry, officer). The 2017–2023 Porsche 718 Cayman has that rare combination of balance, feedback, and everyday usability that makes you invent errands just to keep driving. The numbers are good—great, even—but it’s the way this thing talks to you that sticks.

Evolution of the Porsche 718 Cayman (2017–2023)

When the 718 badge arrived in 2017, it brought turbocharged four-cylinder engines to the Cayman family. Cue internet debate. On paper the move made sense: more torque, better efficiency, broader appeal. In practice, the base 2.0 (300 hp, 280 lb-ft) and the S 2.5 (350 hp, 309 lb-ft) made the Cayman feel punchier in normal driving. With the optional Sport Chrono and PDK, the base car can scoot to 60 mph in the mid-4s; the S trims it further.

Then came the purist-pleasers: the GTS 4.0 and GT4, both with naturally aspirated flat-sixes. The GTS 4.0’s 394 hp is the sweet custard filling—silky response, glorious noise—while the GT4’s 414 hp is, frankly, a bit antisocial in the best way. Throughout, the core Cayman virtues remained: mid-engine poise, sublime steering, and a chassis that always has more to give.

2023 Porsche 718 Cayman: What’s Actually New

By 2023, Porsche refined rather than reinvented. You got the Style Edition with standout colors and tasteful details, some feature reshuffling, and the same stellar spread of trims. No across-the-board power bump—though if you want the big shove, the GTS 4.0 and GT4 remain the go-tos. Infotainment saw incremental updates over the years (wired Apple CarPlay was around; Android Auto arrived later), and driver-assistance stayed intentionally light. The point, as ever, is you driving the car—not the other way around.

On the Road: How the Porsche 718 Cayman Drives

First thing I noticed? The steering. It’s quick without being darty, and it breathes with the surface, especially on rough roads where some cars go numb. PASM (adaptive dampers) keeps body control tight without punishing you, and on 19s with sensible tires, the ride is “driving-in-slippers” comfy. On a mountain switchback, the front bites, the rear rotates as you ease into the throttle, and the whole car feels like it’s pivoting around your hips.

• Engines: 2.0T (300 hp), 2.5T S (350 hp), 4.0 NA (394–414 hp depending on trim)
• Transmissions: 6-speed manual (lovely shift), 7-speed PDK (brutally effective, especially in Sport Plus)
• 0–60 mph: ~4.9–4.6 sec (base), ~4.4 sec (S), ~4.0 sec (GTS 4.0 with PDK)
• Brakes: strong, consistent; carbon-ceramics optional if you frequent track days
• Fuel economy: mid-20s mpg on highway runs if you’re nice; you won’t always be nice

Quirks and Niggles (Because No Car’s Perfect)

• The four-cylinder soundtrack is more purposeful than pretty. The performance is there; the romance isn’t.
• PDK in traffic can feel a bit keen to get going. A light foot helps.
• Infotainment lags behind the latest luxury stuff. Functional, yes. Flashy, no.
• Options add up quickly—Porsche gonna Porsche. Spec carefully.
• Road roar on coarse asphalt with 20-inch wheels can creep in. Pack earplugs? Kidding. Mostly.

Did you know? The “718” nods to Porsche’s featherweight 1950s race car. Different era, same mid-engine magic.

Living With the Porsche 718 Cayman: Cabin, Tech, Practicality

Inside, it’s tidy and focused. Driver position is spot-on, the wheel is small and perfect in the hands, and the seats hold you without pinching. The cabin is quiet enough to hear your watch tick at 70 mph—unless you’ve specced the sports exhaust and, well, you should. As a daily driver, it’s surprisingly practical: there’s a frunk and a rear trunk, enough for a couple of carry-ons and a weekend’s worth of bad decisions.

Tech is straightforward. The instrument binnacle gives you an analog tach with digital helpers, and the touchscreen does the basics cleanly. If you haven’t been in Porsches lately, just note: fewer gimmicks, more function. I like that. Some owners mentioned to me that the base audio could be meatier; Burmester or Bose solves that.

The Best Interior Accessories for Your Porsche 718 Cayman

Protecting a cabin this nicely stitched is the kind of common sense we all pretend not to need—until the first coffee spill. When I tried a set of fitted mats in my tester, the cabin looked sharper and cleaning was a five-minute job. That’s why I point people to AutoWin’s made-to-fit options for the 718 Cayman.

• Precisely cut for the Cayman’s footwells—no bunched corners
• Durable materials that shrug off grit, rain, and track-day dust
• Easy to wipe down; they actually clean up nicely after a muddy-hike weekend
• Styles that complement the interior without screaming for attention

Browse the full range here: Porsche 718 Cayman floor mats.

Porsche 718 Cayman vs. Rivals: The Shortlist

Numbers tell one story; steering feel and balance tell another. The Cayman remains the driver’s choice if you care about mid-corner poise more than quarter-mile times.

Interesting Facts about the Porsche 718 Cayman (2017–2023)

• The 718 Cayman badge honors Porsche’s 1950s 718 race car—lightweight, mid-engine, and giant-slaying.
• Its mid-engine layout is why the balance feels telepathic; weight sits between the axles, not over them.
• Turbo fours deliver strong torque and decent economy; the 4.0 NA returns the hairs-on-neck goosebumps.
• Options like Sport Chrono and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) let you tailor response on the fly.
• Frunk + trunk equals real luggage space. Weekend away? Easy. Grocery run? Even easier.
• Steering precision and brake feel are benchmarks—the stuff you remember long after the spec sheet fades.

Conclusion: Why the Porsche 718 Cayman Still Wins

After years of testing, the Porsche 718 Cayman (2017–2023) remains the sports car I recommend to people who actually like to drive. It’s quick, yes, but more importantly it’s communicative and confidence-inspiring. Whether you’re chasing lap times or coffee, it feels special. If you’re going to live with one, protect that interior: explore AutoWin’s fitted accessories for the Porsche 718 Cayman and keep your driver’s car looking the part.

FAQ: Porsche 718 Cayman (2017–2023)

Is the Porsche 718 Cayman reliable?
Yes. Routine maintenance and annual services keep it happy. Track use adds wear items (pads, tires) faster—budget accordingly.

PDK or manual for the 718 Cayman?
PDK is quicker and great in traffic; the 6-speed manual is more involving. I’d pick manual for back-road joy, PDK for mixed commuting and track days.

Which 718 Cayman trim should I buy?
Base for value and balance, S for extra punch, GTS 4.0 for the full flat-six theater, GT4 if you want a track weapon with license plates.

How practical is the 718 Cayman for trips?
Surprisingly practical. Frunk + rear trunk take two carry-ons and soft bags. Cabin storage is modest but workable.

What options are must-haves?
PASM and Sport Chrono for dynamics, sport exhaust for smiles, and a quality set of fitted floor mats from AutoWin to keep it tidy.