2021 Porsche 718 Cayman

Porsche outfits its 718 Cayman model in five different trim levels: Standard, T, S, GTS 4.0, and GT4. Each trim has a distinct set of technology and comfort features to suit different driving needs and tastes. The entry-level coupe starts around $60,000, sharing most of its features with the Porsche 718 Boxster convertible. Drivers get a turbocharged engine, a six-speed manual transmission, ventilated disc brakes, 18-inch alloy wheels, performance tires, automatic high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps, rain-sensing windshield wipers, LED tail lamps, and power heated side mirrors. Standard safety equipment includes rear parking sensors, several airbags, a backup camera, and an alarm. The cabin has heated leather seats with two-way adjustment, keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, a leather-wrapped wheel, cruise control, and an auto-dimming mirror, an eight-speaker audio system, CD, Bluetooth, a seven-inch touchscreen, and Apple CarPlay. The T trim retails for around $69,000. The T gives the coupe nostalgic exterior styling touches and performance options as standard to make a modern-day classic. It shares the entry-level model's engine and transmission but equips an active suspension, a limited-slip differential, 20-inch wheels, and a leather interior with leatherette seat inserts. The T has cloth interior door handles and a deleted infotainment system to save weight. The mid-range S upgrades the Standard coupe's performance capabilities for about $72,000. It adds a larger engine, sportier styling, and sleek 19-inch wheels. The trims mentioned above come with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, but the recently-added GTS 4.0 comes with a naturally-aspirated six-cylinder motor. Pricing for this high-performance variant starts from $87,000. It has adaptive dampers, a limited-slip differential, a performance exhaust, 20-inch forged alloy wheels, high-speed tires, an Alcantara steering wheel, and unique styling accents. The top-of-the-line GT4 retails from about $100,500, built with racing in mind. The GT4 is an uncompromising track machine, amping up the 718 Cayman's driving abilities to their maximum capabilities. Its body gets a thorough restyle, with large front air intakes, side body skirts, and a fixed-wing spoiler. It has a more potent version of the six-cylinder motor. The chassis receives additional reinforcements, with individually adjustable aspects like height, camber, and anti-roll bars for precise racetrack performance. Along with several paint colors and contrast-color leather interiors, Porsche offers drivers many technologies and convenience options. The two-way sport seats are upgradable to 18-way adaptive sport seats or lightweight racing buckets. Shoppers who don't want the included manual transmission can opt for a superb seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) dual-clutch transmission. Ceramic-composite brakes are available, as are adaptive LED headlights, power-folding side mirrors, carbon fiber or aluminum interior trim, extended leather trim choices, a Bose surround-sound system, and navigation with a built-in WiFi hotspot.

The 718 Cayman's Standard and T trims use a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gas engine with a flat configuration, set behind the cockpit. It produces 300 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The EPA estimates fuel economy of 20/26/22 MPG city/highway/combined for the base trim, and 19/24/21 MPG for the T. Porsche says the entry-level trim should accelerate from 0-60 MPH in just 4.9 seconds, with the lightweight T doing the same in as little as 4.5 seconds. The top track speed is 170 MPH. For quicker performance, the S trim uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder turbo making 350 horsepower and 309 pound-feet of torque. Predicted gas mileage numbers match the T trim, and Porsche expects 0-60 MPH to elapse in 4.4 seconds. The top speed at the track is 177 MPH. The GTS has a 4.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine. This motor produces 394 horsepower, with the run to 0-60 MPH taking as little as 3.8 seconds. It has a 179 MPH top speed at the track. The GT4 feels like a focused race car for the road, and its 4.0-liter inline-six produces 414 horsepower. Acceleration takes 4.2 seconds, with a 188 MPH top speed at the track.

The 718 Cayman has a straightforward two-seat cabin that's elegant and driver-focused. The small interior is surprisingly roomy, with better headroom than competitors. Porsches have nearly unrivaled driving layouts, with the steering wheel, shifter, and pedals ideally placed for quick gear changes and sharp cornering. It's easy to feel in control behind the wheel of the 718 Cayman. Porsche didn't design this sports car for commuting to and from work, but it has modern technology that will keep drivers happy if they choose to spend a lot of time behind the wheel. Heated seats and dual-zone climate control comes standard, as does Apple CarPlay. The infotainment system is user-friendly. The T trim deletes its infotainment features to save weight, with two large storage areas in their place. The 718 Cayman's storage is adequate, with a glove compartment, fold-out door bins, and a center console box. A mesh net in the footwell is available for securing small items. Despite this, the cabin doesn't have enough storage options for long trips and many small items, though. Thanks to its mid-engine configuration, the little Porsche has not one but two trunks. Each is small, but when considered together, the 718 Cayman has impressive cargo capacity for an authentic sports car.