The Best Porsche Cayman Model Years

Why It's On The List

The Cayman may still be Porsche's entry-level model, but there's nothing 'entry-level' about how it handles and drives. The base 4-cylinder turbo engine options have come in for some criticism for being 'too coarse' or not punchy enough; however, the 2024 Cayman is still an excellent overall package.

Top Gear rated the 2024 Cayman an 8 out of 10, stating that 'very few sports cars are this complete.' The Cayman's handling, performance and everyday useability make it one of the best cars on the market today.

It's hard to look away from the top-trim 718 Cayman GT4 RS as the pick of the 2024 model lineup. The other trims shine in their own way, but the experience is dialled up several notches once you slip behind the wheel of the track-focused GT4 RS. The engine, chassis and overall setup scream perfection and deliver an exhilarating experience almost unmatched in its segment.

Why It's On The List

The 2006 Porsche Cayman was a significant milestone in the brand's history, introducing a more affordable and accessible sports car without compromising Porsche's renowned performance and driving dynamics.

The Cayman was introduced as a new version of Porsche's mid-engined coupe alongside the Boxster. The exterior styling was the work of notable automotive designer Pinky Lai.

The first available variant was the Cayman S, a hardtop coupe with a 3.4L flat-six that could push the car to 60 mph in about 5 seconds. Incidentally, that was the most powerful engine option for the first-gen Cayman.

Interested buyers of the 2006 Cayman S will want to conduct a thorough inspection before making a decision, considering the model was launched almost two decades ago. However, it remains a decent entry point into the Porsche world for new enthusiasts without the hefty price tag of newer models.

Why It's On The List

By 2012, the Cayman had been on the market for about seven years, and Porsche had found several ways to improve the car. The 2012 model was mostly unchanged from the previous year's car as Porsche was already planning to roll out an all-new Cayman to kickstart a new generation.

However, there were still some changes that made this model year desirable. The power output of the 3.4-litre engine had been bumped up to 320 hp while the other engine option, a 2.9-litre flat-six, had 265 hp. Also, the optional Tiptronic transmission had been replaced by Porsche's fast-shifting PDK transmission.

A limited edition Cayman S Black Edition was introduced in 2012. Limited to 500 units, it marked the end of the current Cayman generation. There was also the Cayman R, a track-ready version of the Cayman, widely regarded as one of the best model variants ever produced.

Why It's On The List

The new Cayman generation kickstarted with the 2014 model (introduced in 2013). The Cayman had a fresh design on its exterior and interior. To make the car even more capable, Porsche built the second-gen Cayman's framework around a chassis taken from the Porsche 911.

The base engine had more power, and Porsche's 7-speed PDK transmission was retained as an option alongside the standard 6-speed manual. Upgraded tech bits like torque vectoring, electronically assisted steering, active suspension management and dynamic chassis control also made their way into the Cayman's mechanical platform.

The mid-engined car earned positive reviews for its performance, crisp handling and balanced feel. The 2014 Cayman also had two trunks (at the front and rear), making it more practical as a daily driver. The car was available in two trims - the base Cayman and the Cayman S. You'll want to opt for the Cayman S, though, which had a detuned version of the 911's 3.4-litre flat-six.

Why It's On The List

The 2017 Cayman burst onto the scene with a number of significant changes. In addition to the name change, Porsche ditched the naturally aspirated flat-six engines in favour of turbocharged units.

There was a 2.0-litre turbocharged flat-four for the base Cayman, while the 718 Cayman S got a 2.5-litre unit.

The 2017 718 Cayman continued the model's tradition of superbly balanced handling, responsive steering and engaging transmission options.

The infotainment system had also received some upgrades that included a 7.0-inch touchscreen, a Wi-Fi hotspot and Apple CarPlay.

The Cayman S gets our nod because of its more powerful engine and a few other perks, like the 19-inch wheels, bigger brakes and optional Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) Sport, which lowers the car by 0.8 inches for a sportier ride and better stability.

Why It's On The List

The 2020 highlight for the Cayman was the addition of new variants to broaden its appeal in the market. There was the Cayman T, a slightly stripped-out version of the base model, that offered an unfiltered driving experience without paying top dollar for the GTS trim.

The Cayman T still had the base model's 300 hp engine, but Porsche stripped some interior bits to reduce the weight and added a few more performance parts as standard.

There was also the new-for-2020 Cayman GTS that slotted just below the top-trim GT4 model. Its naturally aspirated flat-six with almost 400 horses is a very tempting proposition and is worth serious consideration for prospective buyers shopping for a 2020 Cayman.

It was not all about new models. For the 2020 model year, there were upgrades like the user-friendly PCM 4.0 infotainment system, Adaptive Sport Seats, LED headlights with Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) and a premium Burmeister Surround Sound system.