Porsche Boxster / Cayman 987 S
Porsche's mid-engine two-seater — from the 986 that saved the company to the last flat-six GTS.
24 reviewers · 51 videos · 7 hours watched · 13 press articles
Reviewers strongly agree on its performance and handling, but split on daily drivability and value.
across 24 reviewers
"I've been everywhere in this car doing massive stints at once. And every single time I get out, it surprises me that every single time I get out and think, 'How can this car be this comfortable?'"
Joe Talks Cars · ▶ 2:32"you better like being hot uncomfortable and sweaty if you're going to drive this car because Porsche strip everything that makes a car comfortable out of it"
The Fast Lane Car · ▶ 10:27"How can the 987.2 be better than that with 30 less horsepower... for $30,000 I mean we paid 25 grand for this car"
Zygrene · ▶ 12:06"I think the problem though is that you could get an S for a third or a quarter of the price of this."
Number 27 · ▶ 13:52Performance
4.0/524 of 24 reviewersstrong consensus“this topof the Range s model boasted 3.4 l and just over 300 horsepower”
positive · Fifth Gear · ▶ 7:16“why not bring the best track car I can possibly get my hands on and that's exactly what I did”
positive · The Fast Lane Car · ▶ 5:30“It pulls so linearly and smoothly... it's a very Buzzy Little Engine throttle response is really good even though it's drive by wire it's very direct”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 7:19Handling
5.0/523 of 24 reviewersstrong consensus“having the heaviest bit in between a front and rear axles just give this a perfect weight distribution”
positive · Fifth Gear · ▶ 8:19“the natural feeling of the steering is so rewarding”
positive · EverydayDriver · ▶ 10:42“this car is all about being able to precisely choose your line and attack corners in a way that even the gtr... can't quite match”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 12:32Fun to drive
4.5/524 of 24 reviewersconsensus“to drive it's just an absolute sweetheart of a car”
positive · Fifth Gear · ▶ 8:31“there's a reason this is still one of my favorite driver's cars for sub $30,000 it just offers such a great blend performance fun rawness”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 8:30“I'm more satisfied driving this one”
positive · EverydayDriver · ▶ 33:38Daily drivability
3.5/524 of 24 reviewerssplit“I've been everywhere in this car doing massive stints at once. And every single time I get out, it surprises me that every single time I get out and think, 'How can this car be this comfortable?'”
positive · Joe Talks Cars · ▶ 2:32“you could daily them”
positive · Throttle House · ▶ 24:58“you better like being hot uncomfortable and sweaty if you're going to drive this car because Porsche strip everything that makes a car comfortable out of it”
critical · The Fast Lane Car · ▶ 10:27Value
4.0/524 of 24 reviewerssplit“How can the 987.2 be better than that with 30 less horsepower... for $30,000 I mean we paid 25 grand for this car”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 12:06“compared to the other two Caymans on this test, the value of the R is monumental.”
positive · 9WERKS TV · ▶ 9:00“it's an easy way to get into a Porsche... you combine that with a car that's probably not going to depreciate all that much”
positive · Savagegeese · ▶ 17:44Hear it in the reviewer’s words
- Top Gear
Porsche 718 GTS 4.0 review: the 6cyl Cayman is back! Reviews 2026 | Top Gear
◆BuyThe 718 GTS 4.0 is a triumphant return to form for the Cayman, offering a class-leading chassis paired with a naturally aspirated flat-six that enthusiasts have been craving.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who prioritize engine character, linear power delivery, and manual transmission engagement.
- Watch out
- Frustratingly long gear ratios · Particulate filter slightly muffles exhaust sound
1,406 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
Porsche 718 Cayman GTS Driving, Engines & Performance | Top Gear
◆Worth itThe 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 is a beautifully balanced, naturally aspirated sports car that prioritizes engagement and character over raw numbers.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who value mechanical purity, steering feel, and daily usability in a sports car.
- Watch out
- Long gearing · High-RPM torque peak · Motorway road noise
1,084 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
Porsche 718 Cayman GTS review: the world's best sports car? Reviews 2026 | Top Gear
◆Worth it, with caveatsA fabulous, balanced sports car that offers more intensity than the base model, though the 718's four-cylinder transition has slightly dulled the perfection of the previous generation.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who want more power and are willing to trade some ride comfort for intensity.
- Watch out
- Abrupt ride quality · Four-cylinder engine lacks the character of the old six · Expensive options list
1,444 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
Porsche 718 Cayman GTS Review 2026 | Top Gear
◆BuyThe 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 is arguably the best car Porsche builds right now, offering a perfect balance of performance, sound, and daily usability.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who want a daily-drivable sports car with a naturally aspirated flat-six engine.
- Watch out
- Gearing is too long
1,222 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
Porsche 718 Cayman Review 2026 | Top Gear
◆Worth itThe 718 Cayman remains a benchmark sports car, though the base four-cylinder engines lack the character of the older flat-sixes; the GTS and GT4 models are the true standouts.
- Best for
- Drivers seeking a complete, daily-usable sports car who don't require rear seats.
- Watch out
- gruff sound of 4-cylinder engines · high price of upper trims
763 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - MotorTrend
2021 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 First Drive
◆BuyThe 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 is a masterclass in sports car engineering, offering a perfect blend of naturally aspirated performance and daily usability.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts seeking a modern Porsche with the soul and sound of a traditional naturally aspirated flat-six.
- Watch out
- Long second gear ratio · Slight weight penalty over the S model
1,622 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - MotorTrend
2021 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 First Test Review: GT4 Goodness at a Deep Discount
◆BuyThe 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 is a masterclass in balance, offering nearly identical performance to the GT4 while being significantly more comfortable for daily use.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who want a high-performance Porsche that can handle both track days and daily commuting.
- Watch out
- Less aggressive tire compound than the GT4 · Cast iron rotors instead of carbon-ceramics
501 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Road & Track
Porsche Cayman GTS 4.0 Review: Brilliant No Matter Which Transmission
◆Worth itThe Cayman GTS 4.0 remains a brilliant driver's car regardless of transmission, with the PDK offering a mature, highly capable alternative to the manual without sacrificing engagement.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who want a daily-drivable sports car that excels on both track and road.
- Watch out
- Cramped pedal box · Small side mirrors · Stiff ride on long trips · Stop/start system stutter
1,138 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time