It is hard to determine how a car handles without actually driving one. When it comes to the Porsche 911 and Porsche Cayman, which one of these fast cars handles better? It seems the evidence points to the Cayman being a better drive for a few reasons.

The Porsche 911 vs. the Porsche Cayman

The Porsche 911 transcends streetcars and supercars. You can buy a base model 911 off the lot and take it to the grocery store. You can also buy a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 and compete with supercars like a Ferrari or a Lamborghini. While the 911 and Cayman might look similar and perform similarly, minor details make the Cayman perform better.

The 911 is offered in the Carrera, Targa, Turbo, Turbo S, and GT3 models. All of these are also offered in convertible styles and other various S and Turbo trims. The 911 is a well-rounded vehicle that has been around for a long time. The 911 has room in the front trunk for your goods, but only 4.6 ft³. In the Cayman, the front trunk has 5.2 ft³ of room, plus 9.7 ft³. Another point for the Porsche Cayman. This is because of the mid-engine design. More on that later.

Is Porsche Cayman a good car?

The Porsche Cayman is technically the entry-level option in the lineup. However, it is also considered to be better at handling than the 911. The Porsche Cayman is ready to take on the track due to the low center of gravity and mid-engine design. Due to that, the Cayman offers better weight distribution and, therefore, better handling.

The base Porsche 911 Carrera starts at $101,200 and has a top track speed of 182 mph. It offers 379 hp and weighs 3,354 lbs. The base 718 Cayman starts at $60,500 and has a top track speed of 170 mph. It gets 300 hp and weighs 3,034 lb for the manual and 3,095 for the automatic.

The 911 is a rear-engine option, and with the additional weight on it, the Porsche Cayman again comes out in front. Those extra 259 pounds make a difference when it comes to maneuvering on the track. It also benefits the fuel economy. Less weight means less power needed to get moving, on and off the track.

When it comes to on-track performance…

As mentioned previously, the differences between the two vehicles are minor but have a big impact. Since the price of the Cayman starts a lot lower, buyers get more for the cash. You can upgrade certain aspects with the extra money and likely still not hit the base price of the Porsche 911. When it comes down to it, both cars will serve you just fine. However, the Cayman will handle a bit better when it comes to performance.

The Porsche Cayman is a better choice on paper for a track car that handles well. The Porsche 911 has slowly been gaining on the Caymen in recent years, and you will likely see plenty of 911s on the track. The handling of a vehicle also comes down to driver skill and the environment too. Some might find the 911 preferable, but the Cayman still excelled in a few areas.