Car and Driver - USA (2019-10)

26. COMPARO. CAR AND DRIVER. OCT/2019

out of corners even when you’ve picked the
wrong gear, and it builds revs with the cre-
scendo of a naturally aspirated engine.
Ironically, this Competition model is as
well suited to the daily grind as it is to track
use. The open sightlines, ample storage,
and surprisingly spacious rear seats aren’t
new, but that combination is unique
among this group. These characteristics
make the BMW a compelling option for
someone who puts practicality high on
their list when shopping for a coupe that
clears 60 mph in 4 .0 seconds. Does anyone
actually do that, though?

3rd Place: The Porsche
At 3141 pounds, the Cayman is light—not
just in this test group or among sports
cars, but in comparison with every car on
sale in the United States. The lean build
allows the Porsche to do more with less.
The base 718 runs neck and neck with cars
that need more tire, more power, and more
fuel to achieve the same end. With such
little mass to command, the Cayman

Porsche Cayman The experience is even more magnificent

than the numbers, prescient automatic transmission. Four

cylinders for the price of eight, the only car here that could use more

power. See? Porsche doesn’t win ’em all.

stopped from 70 mph in 143 feet, circled

the skidpad at 1.06 g’s, and ran through the

slalom cones at 50. 4 mph—among the best

runs we’ve ever seen—all on the skinniest

tires in this test.

The numbers aren’t the point, of

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through sequoias, where the measure of its

greatness is the joy it imparts. Pedals and

a steering wheel that obey every twitch,

dab, and prod will leave you feeling like

a natural-born hotshoe. The Cayman’s

steering shouts a continuous report of the

road texture and available grip under the

front tires. It also speaks volumes about

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modes, always delivering the same consis-

tent weight and the same connected feel.

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by the steering, the innate mid-engine

poise makes it easy for anyone to exploit

the Porsche’s capabilities.

Our enthusiasm dims only slightly

when we stop to think about the Cayman

more rationally. It’s hard to wrap our

heads around the idea of spending

We’re as surprised as
you that the Cayman
didn’t sweep yet
another comparison
test. Speaking of
sweeping, this forest
floor could use one.