Porsche 718 Cayman 2023 Review

Available in both Cayman and Boxster form, Porsche’s new pair of Style Edition variants gives buyers more choice when it comes to the German marque’s entry-level 718 sports car range.

Priced from $136,700 plus on-road costs, here we’re testing the 2023 Porsche 718 Cayman Style Edition.

However, if you prefer to feel the wind in your hair, you should go for the Boxster Style Edition (from $139,300 plus ORCs).

Those prices mark roughly a $4000 uptick over the base-spec variants on which they’re based. However, as usual, a plethora of optional extras inflates the as-tested price of our test car to a whopping $161,530 plus ORCs.

Still, it feels (and arguably looks) more civilised and grown-up compared to other options like the Toyota Supra or Nissan Z, or even the more comparable – in terms of pricing – BMW M2 (from $121,700).

As mentioned, the 2023 Porsche 718 Cayman Style Edition tested here is kitted out with more than $24,000 worth of accessories.

We’re talking special ‘Crayon’ grey paintwork ($4430), 18-way adaptive sports seats ($2560), carbon interior pack ($2370), headlight cleaning system ($380), GT sports steering wheel ($520) and Porsche Active Suspension Management to lower the ride height by 10mm ($2700).

A six-speed manual transmission comes standard, but our tester is fitted with the optional PDK dual-clutch automatic ($5340) as well as the Sport Chrono Package ($4210).

Standard equipment includes staggered-width Boxster Spyder-spec 20-inch high-gloss black wheels, LED headlights (with Porsche Dynamic Light System), LED tail-lights, dual-zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers, heated seats and a heated steering wheel.

Local examples also bring keyless entry/start, a 64-litre fuel tank and interior surveillance, while Style Editions are available with either black or white contrast sticker packages.

In keeping with the brand, the Cayman Style Edition is covered by a three-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, with services due every 12 months or 15,000km.

The 2023 Porsche 718 Cayman Style Edition hasn’t been crash-tested by ANCAP; in fact, no Porsche model has been tested by the independent safety authority Down Under.

That’s not to say it isn’t safe, because in addition to its excellent dynamic and braking performance, which go a long way to avoiding a crash occurring in the first place, the Cayman has plenty of electronic aids including traction and stability control, ABS and EBD, blind spot monitoring, a rear-view camera and parking sensors front and rear.

The inclusion of Porsche Side Impact Protection (POSIP) means special impact protection materials are fitted inside each door, while thorax airbags are fitted in each outer backrest side bolster, and head airbags for both occupants are in each door panel.

As with the entry-level model on which it’s based, the 2023 Porsche 718 Cayman Style Edition is fitted with plenty of useful tech, even if it feels a little older.

That includes a 4.6-inch digital instrument cluster along with a 7.0-inch central touch-screen, offering Connect Plus with Apple CarPlay, digital radio and an eight-speaker audio system.

Both interior display screens are on the smaller side – at least in the grand scheme of modern-day tech – but do a great job conveying information in a clear, concise manner.

The central screen is responsive to touch and easy to navigate overall, thanks to shortcut buttons mounted below the screen.

A little further down you’ll find a small panel with buttons and toggles to adjust the dual-zone climate control, which is intuitive once you’re used to it.

In mechanical terms, the 2023 Porsche 718 Cayman Style Edition represents the entry point into the Cayman range.

That means power comes from the same turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder boxer engine as the base-level Cayman and Boxster, delivering 220kW of power at 6500rpm and 380Nm of torque between 1950-4500rpm.

Our tester is fitted with the PDK dual-clutch auto, which makes it 0.2sec quicker to launch from 0-100km/h compared to the standard six-speed manual gearbox.

For reference, the fitment of the PDK drops that 0-100km/h time from 5.1sec to 4.9sec, while top speed is 275km/h.

If you’re looking for maximum fuel efficiency, the 2023 Porsche 718 Cayman Style Edition fitted with the PDK auto is claimed to be the most frugal.

Porsche claims 7.0L/100km on the combined fuel cycle, while the manual transmission is a little thirstier at 7.5L/100km.

For reference, we saw average fuel consumption figures of 9.6L/100km from our test car, the majority of which was highway kilometres.

It feels like what the 2023 Porsche 718 Cayman Style Edition lacks in outright speed, it makes up for in superb handling.

That’s not to say the base-spec Cayman is a slouch, by any means, because its 2.0-litre turbocharged flat-four is wonderfully rewarding, both from a standing start and on the move, thanks to a generous torque band that peaks from 1950rpm.

The PDK is brilliant, masterfully shuffling through gears and holding on when you want it to. There’s hardly a need to play around with the shift paddles or transmission lever’s manual mode offering.

Tipping the scales at a fairly light 1365kg, the mid-engined Cayman gets power down with ease, and few will be disappointed in its 220kW/380Nm outputs, even if the flat-four’s exhaust note isn’t the most inspiring soundtrack Porsche has produced.

Pin the throttle and although it doesn’t exactly push you back in your (very nicely bolstered) seat, there’s enough grunt to leave a silly grin on your face, particularly when used as intended; driven fast over smooth, winding tarmac.

And that’s where the Cayman truly shines.

It’s sharp, nimble and balanced, with a level of body control that seems to defy logic.

Add to that fantastic brakes, agile steering and decent levels of grip from Pirelli-clad wheels, and it’s a recipe for delight.

You really need to push hard to provoke it.

In terms of everyday liveability, the Cayman’s adaptive dampers allow the driver to make their own tweaks, but left as is, we found it composed and reasonably comfortable around town.

There will soon be a new all-electric Porsche Cayman and Boxster that will run alongside the petrol-powered versions, but the current 982-series Cayman (and Boxster) have been around since 2016.

But unlike technology, luxury doesn’t necessarily age and the 2023 Porsche 718 Cayman Style Edition delivers a beautifully appointed cabin, with high-quality materials throughout.

Naturally, the German sports car-maker puts plenty of emphasis on driver engagement, and the Cayman’s cockpit is an involving, driver-centric affair.

Every switch, button and control is perfectly placed.

Less important to the designers were things like cabin ingress/egress, with the car’s low-slung stance making it a challenge for our more mature passengers.

There isn’t a great deal of storage within the cabin, so cup holders that tuck into the dash are a welcome inclusion.

And you’ll have to pack light in terms of interior storage, because the lidded centre arm rest and lower door trims don’t hold a great deal.

Better news, then, that a trunk up front is good for 150 litres of cargo, while the rear boot offers a decent 275 litres.

While there are plenty of cheaper and faster rivals, in isolation the 2023 Porsche 718 Cayman Style Edition is a thoroughly enjoyable car with dynamic talent that seems to surpass its price tag.

Even in eye-catching Style Edition form, it’s a no-nonsense driver’s car that takes a civilised approach to performance, and if that sounds like your cup of tea, we doubt you’ll be disappointed.

2023 Porsche 718 Cayman Style Edition PDK at a glance:
Price: $138,325 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 220kW/380Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 7.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 160g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested