Rank
Pros
Cons
What's New for 2025?
The 718 Cayman lineup is unchanged aside from the removal of the exclusive GT4 RS, but prices are up across the board. That's partly due to the fact that the manual transmission is now a no-cost option at the PDK price level, whereas the manual 718 Caymans previously offered a discount of a few grand. Hey, at least it's still available. The 718 Cayman itself may not be available after the 2025 model year; production is scheduled to cease at some point in 2025.
FAST FACTS
"What is a sports car in the mid-2020s? Although it's reportedly not long for this world, the 718 Cayman would be many people's first example. We're torn, because the laggy turbo four-cylinder engines in the base and Cayman S models make us pine for the pre-turbo days when every Cayman came with a sonorous flat-6. But the six-cylinder 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 is a cure for all ills, delivering arguably the best all-around Cayman driving experience ever — and also, sadly, being six-figure expensive. No matter which Cayman you choose, you'll enjoy best-in-class handling and a feeling of sports-car purity that's worth every penny Porsche charges. Well, most of the pennies, at least."—Ranked #1 out of 4 Sports Cars
MotorDonkey's proprietary vehicle data identifies every significant version of each model so that you can compare and decide. Ordered by price from low to high, here are the versions of the 2025 Porsche 718 Cayman that you need to be aware of, along with our expert analysis and recommendations.
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Largely identical to the Boxster in terms of output and dimensions, the Cayman boasts extra storage space thanks to its hatchback trunk (9.7 cubic feet), which combines with the frunk (5.3 cubic feet) to achieve that 15-cubic-foot total. Adding PDK ($3,210) chops two-tenths of a second off the base Cayman's 0-60 sprint, which is less than you might think. Add the Sport Chrono package, however, and you shave another two-tenths down to 4.5 seconds.
The manual transmission — now a no-cost option at the PDK price point — is appreciably less fuel-efficient than the automatic, but this decision is more about your driving preferences than a mile per gallon here or there. A tiny sports car with three pedals is typically a recipe for a good time, although the base Cayman's laggy and rumbly flat-4 engine isn't Porsche's best effort.
The 718 Cayman S pumps out 350 horsepower, which is more like it at this lofty price point. It's still a flat-4 engine doing the work, however, and with due respect to Subaru, we'd prefer it if this otherwise stupendous sports car didn't remind us of the WRX's four-cylinder rumble.
Capable though the Cayman S manual obviously is, it's not the grin machine it should be in this price range, and we're pointing the finger squarely at that turbocharged four-cylinder engine. You're not too far from Cayman GTS 4.0 territory at this point; might as well go all the way and get that model's vastly superior engine (and enhanced collectibility).
Porsche's PDK automated manual chops a substantial half-second off the manual GTS 4.0's sprint to 60 mph. Why? Well, it's not because of the PDK car's extra 8 lb-ft of torque. A key difference is that the GTS 4.0 PDK comes standard with the Sport Chrono package, which includes launch control, and that's how Porsche arrived at the 3.8-second figure. Leave launch control off and you're probably looking at 4.0-4.1, assuming Porsche's numbers are right on (they're usually conservative). But never mind about that; the manual-vs.-PDK decision really comes down to feel and preference. We're in the manual camp, but 4.0 GTS is still a sublime sports car with PDK.
Yes, it starts at nearly $100k, but let's be honest — most four-cylinder Caymans are optioned up near that price range anyway. We'd walk right past those cylinder-deprived specimens and place an order for a bone stock 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 with the manual. Forget about the 0-60 times; this engine is the sweet spot for the Cayman, delivering 911-like sound and feel in a smaller and, let's be honest, better-balanced package. You should definitely get the manual if you're at all inclined, because if you decide to sell this thing someday, the three-pedal GTS 4.0 will be one of the most desirable Cayman configurations ever.
What are the different versions of the 2025 718 Cayman, and how much do they cost? Select a version below or just hit the button to see our full 2025 718 Cayman specs and model data.
| Version | Price | Fuel | MPG | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Porsche 718 Cayman Base (2.0T Automatic) | $72,800 | Gas | 24 | 300 hp | 280 lb-ft |
| 2025 Porsche 718 Cayman Base (2.0T Manual) | $72,800 | Gas | 22 | 300 hp | 280 lb-ft |
| 2025 Porsche 718 Cayman S (2.5T Automatic) | $84,800 | Gas | 22 | 350 hp | 309 lb-ft |
| 2025 Porsche 718 Cayman S (2.5T Manual) | $84,800 | Gas | 21 | 350 hp | 309 lb-ft |
| 2025 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 (Automatic) | $99,700 | Gas | 21 | 394 hp | 317 lb-ft |
| 2025 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 (Manual) | $99,700 | Gas | 19 | 394 hp | 309 lb-ft |
Publisher and Donkey-in-Chief
Josh has been reviewing cars professionally since joining Edmunds.com fresh out of grad school in 2008. Prior to founding MotorDonkey, he spent 15 years shaping Edmunds' expert automotive content in various capacities, starting as an associate editor and ultimately serving as a senior editor before wrapping up with a five-year term as the company's first-ever director of content strategy. Josh is a card-carrying member of the Motor Press Guild and a lifelong car nut who has driven, compared and critiqued thousands of cars in his career. Helping people find their perfect car never gets old—seriously!
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