You only realise how useful a 911’s rear seats are after using a Cayman for a week. The two-seat Cayman hasn’t anything like the storage space. Still, the tailgate works well and the misty-eyed will agree that there’s a certain 928-style-clunk to the way it opens and closes. Neither front or rear boot is especially large and owners would be well advised to buy the Porsche luggage set because it makes very efficient use of the space available.
The cabin is familiar Boxster. That means high-quality materials, excellent seats (ours were optional sports items, but the standard chairs are equally good) and driving position, pitted against a confusing array of buttons and switches. The optional PCM (Porsche Communication Management) unit for hi-fi, sat-nav and telephone becomes less intimidating over time and works very well, but other manufacturers integrate these functions more efficiently than this.
However, there isn’t another mid-engined coupé with an exotic badge that is as unobtrusive to use on a daily basis. Graduate to the Cayman from a Nissan 350Z and you will find its accommodation and storage space no better or worse, while the ownership and driving experience will be far more appealing.
There are only two niggles with the Cayman’s performance and handling. A small question mark hangs over its outright pace, with the knowledge that both the Audi RS4 and BMW M3 are faster in a straight line. Is the Cayman quick enough? We think it is. Just.
Off the record, all Porsche engineers agree that, in the basic disciplines that combine under the blanket term ‘handling’, the Cayman is the best sports car Porsche currently makes. And that includes any 911. Having driven the Cayman on road and track, wet and dry, snow and ice, we agree.