The Porsche 718 Cayman may be the weakest car in Porsche’s lineup, but it still rides just like more expensive sports cars. If you really want the true Porsche experience, it’s best to size up to the GT4 trim. It comes with a more powerful engine and some surprisingly retro features that only add to the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4’s charm.

Just how good is it? Here’s what MotorTrend thought after a test drive.

Under the hood of the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4

The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 has a 4.0-liter V6 engine that makes 414 hp and 309 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with a six-speed manual transmission, which is standard on all trims for 2020. It also comes with grippy summer tires, 20-inch wheels, carbon-ceramic brakes, and adaptive dampers.

The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 is definitely fast, racing from 0-60 mph in a little over four seconds. MotorTrend states that the car feels even faster, maybe in the neighborhood of a rival with 600 hp or more. The Cayman GT4 has a redline of 8,000 rpm and its thrilling ride quality only encourages you to hit that mark.

The Cayman 718 GT4 has a mid-engine RWD layout, so you can expect to have some great handling. It feels perfectly balanced on the road, no matter how twisty it gets. The brakes are easy to modulate and the transmission shifts exactly when you need it.

MotorTrend was also impressed at the 718 Cayman GT4’s power based on its engine alone. Despite not having AWD or a turbocharger, it was still able to race around the track faster than several of its rivals. One of the most notable is the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S, which has an engine capable of 630 hp.

All the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4’s tech

90’s kids rejoice: the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 comes standard with a CD player. This has become an increasingly rare feature thanks to streaming services, MP3 players, and smartphone integration. We’re not sure why Porsche decided to include it, but it definitely makes the 718 Cayman GT4 even more special. The disc reader can also play DVDs.

The 718 Cayman GT4 comes with the Porsche Communications Management system, which gives drivers more options to play media. You can play music from your smartphone using the AUX or USB port, which also acts as a charger. The PCM also includes a built-in SD card reader and Bluetooth.

The 718 Cayman GT4 also has some safety features that could prove useful on the track. Along with the standard reverse camera, ParkAssist is included to alert drivers when they are too close to another vehicle. Optional lane-changing assist displays a warning when another car enters one of the driver’s blind spots.

Adaptive cruise control is also optional and comes equipped with Porsche Active Safe. This function triggers a slight motion of the brakes if a possible collision is detected. The available Dynamic Light system adds on LED headlights that brighten automatically depending on your speed.

Even the flaws aren’t that bad

Some of MotorTrend’s testers thought the 718 Cayman GT4’s suspension was too stiff, causing a wobbly ride on city roads. However, this only proves that the 718 Cayman GT4’s true home is the racetrack. Its suspension has to be stiff to handle high-speed braking, cornering, and acceleration.

Some also thought that the tires sounded too loud, but many consider this quality to be an appeal. MotorTrend reports that the 718 Cayman GT4’s growling tires sound exactly like a car worth twice as much. At $100,550, the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 is a steal when it comes to raw performance.