If you’re in the market for a luxury sports car, the 2022 Porsche 718 lineup is worth a close look. Whether you seek the classic features and styling of the entry-level 718 Cayman or the high-performance power of the 718 Boxster GTS 4.0, this affordable Porsche sports car excels in design, comfort, and engagement.

The mid-engine two-seat Porsche 718 is available in two body styles — the Cayman coupe and the Boxster convertible — and eight variants, promising to satisfy various performance-hungry drivers. 

Despite the models’ varying features and capabilities, the 2022 Porsche 718 Cayman T situates itself nicely in the middle of the pack. Here’s why the Cayman T is the Goldilocks of 718s.

Overview of the 2022 Porsche 718 lineup

“With transcendent handling and gutsy engines, the Cayman is a driver’s dream come true,” Car and Driver states while putting the Porsche 718 on its 2022 Editors’ Choice and 10Best lists.

The 2022 Porsche 718 Cayman’s expertly tuned suspension complements a 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four engine harnessing 300 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. It can zip from 0 to 60 mph in under five seconds and reach 170 mph.

According to Porsche, the entry-level 718 Cayman starts at $63,400. The Boxster with the same performance specs costs about $65,500.

Next in the 2022 lineup are the 718 Cayman T, with an MSRP of $72,500, and the 718 Boxster T, at $74,600. HotCars reports that “the Cayman T perfectly balances power and weight for ultimate performance.”

Then there’s the 2022 Porsche 718 Cayman S, starting at $75,400. Its 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, paired with a six-speed manual transmission, delivers 350 hp and 309 lb-ft of torque. The 718 Boxster S variant has an MSRP of $77,500.

The range-topping 2022 Porsche 718 GTS 4.0 thrills with a 4.0-liter naturally aspirated engine. It produces an exhilarating 394 hp, 309 lb-ft of torque, and a top speed of 182 mph. Starting prices are $90,300 for the Cayman GTS 4.0 and $92,400 for the Boxster variant.

The Cayman T is the Goldilocks of the 718 Cayman lineup

The 2022 Porsche 718 Cayman T is the “sweet spot in the 718 Cayman lineup,” the duPont Registry states. “It combines the base Cayman 3.0-liter turbocharged flat-four with a plethora of standard equipment.”

Standard features include 20-inch Carrera S wheels, sport seats, a sport exhaust, and a mechanical limited-slip differential. The PASM Sport Suspension and Sport Chrono Package add to the 718 Cayman T’s appeal, combining “the model’s entry-level engine option with all the go-fast bits to fully utilize it.”

The rear-wheel-drive Porsche Cayman T pairs a six-speed manual transmission with a potent turbocharged engine to produce 300 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque.

Its interior is equally impressive, with a high-quality infotainment system offering good response time, a built-in navigation system, easy-to-use controls, Apple CarPlay integration, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. In addition, numerous driver-assistance features provide a safer and more comfortable ride.

The worst 718 Cayman model years you should avoid

Though the Porsche 718 is a feat of automotive luxury and performance, be wary of a few 718 model years due to common problems and owner complaints.

According to CarComplaints.com, the model year to avoid is the 2014 Porsche Cayman, which has notched the most overall complaints due to its Porsche Communication Management (PCM) constantly rebooting. Owners say replacing the unit can cost as much as $3,000.

Another common complaint about the 2014 Porsche Cayman is a sagging headliner caused by glue failure, costing upward of $9,000 to replace.

But the 2006 Porsche Cayman rates worse than the 2014 model due to higher repair costs and more significant transmission problems related to a broken shifter cable that leaves the car stuck in gear.