Porsche 718 Cayman (2025)

Car and Driver is unequivocally enthusiastic about the 2025 Porsche 718 Cayman. Its mid-engine balance, telepathic steering, precise handling, and excellent manual gearbox create the pure, visceral sports-car experience the brand is known for, while the GTS 4.0’s naturally aspirated flat-six adds intoxicating sound and effortless performance. Even the base Cayman is quick, comfortable enough for road trips, and surprisingly practical, fitting four carry-on bags between its trunks. The review’s measured criticisms are that the turbocharged four-cylinders sound coarse, the cabin includes cheap plastics and too many hard buttons, Porsche charges extra for conveniences, Android Auto is absent, and warranty maintenance coverage is skimpy. Still, those drawbacks barely dent the verdict: with strong real-world fuel economy, a broad range of capable powertrains, and repeated 10Best and Editors’ Choice recognition, the Cayman remains one of the segment’s most rewarding choices.

What Car? is highly enthusiastic about the 2025 Porsche 718 Cayman, calling it one of the best sports cars available. It praises the Cayman’s exceptional balance of thrilling handling, everyday usability, quality construction, and strong residual values. The entry-level 2.0-litre model is considered fast and capable enough to make the pricier Cayman S unnecessary, while the GTS earns special admiration for its magnificent, soulful six-cylinder engine. Precise steering, excellent ride comfort, practical front and rear boots, and a polished cabin add to its appeal. Still, the review isn’t blind to compromises: Porsche charges heavily for options, running costs are high, motorway noise is intrusive, and the four-cylinder engines sound disappointing. Safety equipment is also notably sparse, with no available autonomous emergency braking or lane-keeping assistance. Even so, the Cayman’s driving enjoyment and versatility make it an emphatic five-star recommendation.

Evo is positive about the 2025 Porsche 718 Cayman Style Edition, but its four-cylinder engine keeps the praise measured. The Cayman remains compact, attractive, precise, easy to place, and genuinely enjoyable on winding roads, while its passive suspension offers reasonable control without becoming punishing. The reviewer particularly recommends the optional limited-slip differential, which adds useful rotational agility. Yet the 2.0-litre turbo feels gruff, hesitant before boost, and short on emotional character; the PDK also mutes the interaction a sports car like this should provide. Inside, excellent material quality and satisfying physical buttons cannot hide dated graphics and an aging interface. At nearly £59,150, the Style Edition’s visual extras do not fully justify its price against the more charismatic, lighter Alpine A110 or compelling used Cayman GT4s. It is still an attractive, capable sports car, but a manual Cayman—ideally the GTS 4.0—is the version evo truly wants.

Auto Express is highly positive about the Porsche 718 Cayman, calling it an exceptionally capable and rewarding sports car. Its pin-sharp handling, excellent balance, strong performance, comfortable ride, and lower price than the Boxster make even the entry-level manual Cayman feel like remarkable value. The review is especially enthusiastic about the six-cylinder GTS, GT4, and outstanding GT4 RS, while still considering the standard four-cylinder car fast and playful. The main disappointment is the muted four-cylinder soundtrack compared with older naturally aspirated models. Expensive options, limited practicality, road noise on larger wheels, dated infotainment, and costly servicing also temper the praise. Even so, the Cayman’s combination of everyday usability and genuine driving thrills leaves the reviewer convinced it remains one of the best accessible sports cars available.

Top Gear is strongly positive on the Porsche 718 Cayman, calling it an exceptionally complete sports car despite some lost character. The review admires its poised mid-engine handling, excellent controls, styling, and broad ability, arguing that it can satisfy almost anyone who does not need rear seats or substantial cargo space. However, emissions-driven four-cylinder turbo engines make the base Cayman and S gruffer and less special than their flat-six predecessors. The manual gearbox gets a clear recommendation over the excellent PDK, while the Cayman T is presented as a smart way to gather desirable options without going overboard. The return of a naturally aspirated flat-six in the GTS 4.0 and GT4 is especially welcome, though prices rise sharply. Alpine’s lighter, more characterful A110 is the main rival and arguably the better downsizing exercise, but the Cayman remains a brilliant, highly capable choice—particularly in GTS or GT4 form.

The Car Connection is highly enthusiastic about the 2025 Porsche 718, calling it one of the finest balanced gas sports cars available. Its mid-engine layout, near-telepathic steering, poised chassis, and engaging manual transmission make the Cayman especially compelling, while the GTS 4.0 and RS models add thrilling flat-six performance. The review also appreciates the comfortable, customizable cabin, decent fuel economy for a sports car, and strong standard equipment. Still, this is an emotional endorsement rather than a practical recommendation: pricing rises rapidly with options, cargo space is awkward, the ride is firm, and advanced safety technology is sparse. The base four-cylinder cars are quick but lack the flat-six’s character, and the 911 is better for long-distance touring. Overall, the reviewer treats the Cayman as a spectacular, old-school driver’s car—and urges buyers to enjoy it before the gas-powered 718 disappears.