Version review

Porsche Cayman 4.0 GT4 2dr PDK Review

Why the overall winner won

Best small SUV

Best family car

Best small electric car

Best luxury car

Car of the Year Awards 2023 >>

site ribbon config

The same glorious-sounding, naturally aspirated, flat-six 4.0-litre engine as the GT4 but detuned to 394bhp, which will get you from 0-62mph in a rapid 4.5sec. But as much as the performance is impressive, it's the engine's smoothness and wonderful power delivery that stands out, letting you build speed from low revs in sixth gear, or use all the near-8000rpm rev range for a true sports car experience. The six-speed manual gearbox is also a delight.

Coupe

Porsche is best known as the quintessential sports car maker, but its line-up is increasingly diverse, interesting and successful, from its SUV family to the Panamera hatchback and shooting brake and, in time, a planned family of electric vehicles.

Whatever your choice, What Car?’s testers rate the cars highly; Porsche has an unusually high percentage of five and four-star cars.

Without exception, its sports cars are class leaders or among the class leaders, standing out for combining driving thrills with surprising luxury and comfort. Likewise, its SUVs are among the sharpest handling, as well as offering high levels of practicality and quality. Meanwhile, the Panamera is a true rival to the very best large executive saloons.

Porsche also sees itself as an electric car pioneer and has already enjoyed sales success with its plug-in hybrid range. Its first all-electric sports car is imminent, signalling the firm’s intent to stay relevant for many years to come.

PORSCHE

CAYMAN

The GT4 is the ultimate track-orientated edition of the Cayman, adding bigger brakes, a sports exhaust, the Sports Chrono Package, 20in alloy wheels and bespoke suspension – with PASM adaptive dampers and a 30mm reduction in ride height. You also get a bunch of styling add-ons inside and out, including a large rear spoiler.

4.0 GT4 2dr PDK

40-gt4-2dr-pdk

Front seatbelt pretensioners + load limiters

Electrically adjustable heated exterior mirrors on door waist rails, aspherical on driver's side

Automatic headlight activation including welcome home lighting

Porsche side impact protection doors with thorax airbag in outer backrest side bolster and head airbag for driver/passenger in door panel

Engine immobiliser with in key transponder, central locking and remote control

Bi-Xenon headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights

Reversing camera including rear park assist

2 way electric sports seat plus side bolsters, electric adjust backrest with silver grey finish, manual adjust seat height/fore/aft, GT4 logo headrest

Carbon interior pack - 718 (with leather interior)

Carbon interior pack - 718 (without leather interior)

Chrono Pack and preparation for lap trigger - 718 Cayman GT4

Leather interior pack - 718 (without leather interior)

Painted interior pack - 718 Cayman GT4 (with leather interior)

Leather interior pack - 718 (with leather interior)

Painted interior pack - 718 Cayman GT4 (without leather interior)

Brushed aluminium interior pack in anthracite - 718 Cayman (with leather interior)

Brushed aluminium interior pack in anthracite - 718 Cayman (without leather interior)

Race Tex leather door trim pack - 718 Cayman / Spyder

2 way electric sports seat plus pack - 718

Leather/Race Tex dashboard trim package - 718 Cayman / Spyder

Interior trim package with decorative stitching and embroidery in contrasting colour- 718 GTS

Porsche Cayman

The Cayman is a joy to drive and, if you go for the GTS version, has a fantastic, sweet-sounding six-cylinder engine to match its superb dynamics. If your budget doesn't stretch to the GTS, don't worry: the Cayman 2.0-litre is a fine alternative that still handles superbly (it just doesn't sound very good).

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Ride comfort shouldn’t be sacrificed at the altar of handling sharpness</li> <li>Plenty of power from a melodic engine</li> <li>Handling that doesn’t come at the expense of a back-breaking ride​​​​​</li> <li> Practicality is not essential but nice to have </li></ul>

Driving fun is right at the top of any sports car buyer's priority list, and every one of our award candidates has backroad entertainment coded into its DNA.

The Mazda MX-5 embodies sports-car spirit without wearing an exotic price tag, and has deservedly gained a strong following over the years. Much newer to the scene is the mid-engined Alpine A110. It may carry a name from the past, but this potent, mid-engined sports car was designed with the very latest lightweight thinking.&nbsp;

Rounding off our shortlist, though, is a name that'll be familiar to even those to whom sports cars hold little interest. The Porsche 911 was born an icon in 1964, and the latest generation bridges the gap between sports car and supercar. Yet, somehow, it manages to preserve a distinctly civilised character.

Car of the Year Awards 2023 >>

Porsche Cayman 4.0 GT4 2dr PDK Review

Get the best price with What Car?

The model

The trim

The engine

Buying with What Car?

Key information

Available colours

26.4

270

litres

242

g/km

Also consider

Audi TT RS

Audi TT Roadster

BMW Z4

Mercedes E63 AMG

Quick search

Tools & services

Legal bits

Information