Compare the2022 Porsche 718 CaymanVS 2021 Volkswagen GTI

The Porsche 718 Cayman has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The GTI doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the 718 Cayman and the GTI have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes and blind spot warning systems.

The 718 Cayman’s corrosion warranty is 5 years and unlimited miles longer than the GTI’s (12/unlimited vs. 7/100,000).

The battery on the 718 Cayman is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the 718 Cayman’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The GTI’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the 718 Cayman’s reliability 23 points higher than the GTI.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 718 Cayman second among compact premium sporty cars in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The GTI isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than Volkswagen vehicles. With 50 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Porsche higher than Volkswagen.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in long-term dependability. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Volkswagen is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 15 places higher in reliability than Volkswagen.

The 718 Cayman’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 72 more horsepower (300 vs. 228) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 258) than the GTI’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The 718 Cayman S’ standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 122 more horsepower (350 vs. 228) and 51 lbs.-ft. more torque (309 vs. 258) than the GTI’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The 718 Cayman GTS 4.0’s standard 4.0 GT3 6-cylinder produces 166 more horsepower (394 vs. 228) and 51 lbs.-ft. more torque (309 vs. 258) than the GTI’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The 718 Cayman GT4’s standard 4.0 GT3 6-cylinder produces 186 more horsepower (414 vs. 228) and 51 lbs.-ft. more torque (309 vs. 258) than the GTI’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The 718 Cayman GT4 RS’ standard 4.0 DOHC 6-cylinder produces 265 more horsepower (493 vs. 228) and 73 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 258) than the GTI’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Porsche 718 Cayman is faster than the Volkswagen GTI (manual transmissions tested):

As tested in Motor Trend the Porsche 718 Cayman is faster than the Volkswagen GTI (automatics tested):

As tested in Motor Trend the 718 Cayman GT4 4.0 GT3 6-cylinder is faster than the Volkswagen GTI 2.0 (automatics tested):

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the 718 Cayman lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability. The GTI doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the 718 Cayman GT4/GTS 4.0’s fuel efficiency. The GTI doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the 718 Cayman’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The GTI doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Regardless of its engine, the 718 Cayman’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Volkswagen only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the GTI Automatic.

The 718 Cayman’s standard fuel tank has a gallon more fuel capacity than the GTI (14.2 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The 718 Cayman’s optional fuel tank has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the GTI (16.9 vs. 13.2 gallons).

To facilitate fast shifting and allow the driver to focus on the road, the 718 Cayman has a standard up-shift light to indicate when to shift, based on a value pre-entered by the driver. The GTI doesn’t offer an up-shift light.

The Porsche 718 Cayman manual offers a downshift rev synchronizer that automatically raises engine speed to make downshifts perfectly smooth. This keeps the car from lurching during downshifts, preventing loss of control during cornering. The GTI doesn’t offer a downshift rev synchronizer.

For better stopping power the 718 Cayman GT4 CCB’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the GTI:

The 718 Cayman offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The GTI doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The 718 Cayman stops much shorter than the GTI:

For better traction, the 718 Cayman has larger standard tires than the GTI (F:235/45R18 & R:265/45R18 vs. 225/40R18). The 718 Cayman GT4’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GTI (F:245/35R20 & R:295/30R20 vs. 225/40R18).

The 718 Cayman GT4’s 245/35R20 front and 295/30R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GTI’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 718 Cayman offers optional 20-inch wheels. The GTI’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The 718 Cayman has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The GTI’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The 718 Cayman’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (44.7% to 55.3%) than the GTI’s (60.4% to 39.6%). This gives the 718 Cayman more stable handling and braking.

The 718 Cayman GT4 handles at 1.10 G’s, while the GTI SE pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Road and Track skidpad test.

The 718 Cayman is 7.9 inches shorter in height than the GTI, making the 718 Cayman much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the 718 Cayman w/Sport Chrono has an electronically controlled liquid-filled front engine mount and conventional liquid-filled engine mounts (standard liquid front mount on other versions of the 718 Cayman). A computer-controlled electric current in the liquid changes its viscosity, allowing the mount to dampen the engine completely at all RPMs. The GTI uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The 718 Cayman has .7 inches more front headroom and 1 inch more front legroom than the GTI.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the 718 Cayman. The GTI doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the 718 Cayman’s available trunk can be opened just by holding your hand near the emblem on the trunk, leaving your hands completely free. The GTI doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The engine in the 718 Cayman is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the GTI. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Volkswagen. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With a 46% lower rating, Volkswagen is ranked 28th.

When two different drivers share the 718 Cayman, the optional memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle and climate settings. The GTI doesn’t offer a memory system.

The 718 Cayman’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The GTI doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The 718 Cayman’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The GTI does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The 718 Cayman’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch. The GTI has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The 718 Cayman has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The GTI doesn’t offer headlight washers.

When the 718 Cayman with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The GTI’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The 718 Cayman’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The GTI offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the 718 Cayman keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The GTI doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the 718 Cayman’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The GTI doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The 718 Cayman has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the GTI Autobahn.

The Porsche 718 comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Volkswagen GTI isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.

The 718 was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 17 of the last 18 years. The GTI hasn’t been picked since 2021.

The 718 Cayman was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” for 3 of the last 9 years. The GTI hasn’t been picked since 2015.