Compare the2022 Toyota GR 86VS 2022 Porsche 718 Cayman

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The GR 86 Auto has standard Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The GR 86 Auto’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the GR 86 Premium’s standard rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The GR 86 Auto’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the GR 86 and the 718 Cayman have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee 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.

Toyota’s powertrain warranty covers the GR 86 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Porsche covers the 718 Cayman. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the 718 Cayman ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the GR 86 for 1 year and 15000 miles longer than Porsche pays for maintenance for the 718 Cayman (2/25000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are over 6 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the GR 86’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Porsche vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 13th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 6 more problems per 100 vehicles, Porsche is ranked 15th, below the industry average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Porsche vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in reliability. Porsche is ranked 9th.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GR 86’s wheelbase is 4 inches longer than on the 718 Cayman (101.4 inches vs. 97.4 inches).

For better maneuverability, the GR 86’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the 718 Cayman’s (35.4 feet vs. 36.1 feet). The GR 86’s turning circle is 2.1 feet tighter than the 718 Cayman GT4’s (35.4 feet vs. 37.5 feet).

The Toyota GR 86 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 400 pounds less than the Porsche 718 Cayman.

The GR 86 is 4.5 inches shorter than the 718 Cayman, making the GR 86 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Toyota GR 86 amounts to more than styling. The GR 86 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .276 Cd. That is lower than the 718 Cayman (.3 to .34). A more efficient exterior helps the GR 86 go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the GR 86 get better fuel mileage.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the GR 86 Premium is quieter than the 718 Cayman GT4:

The GR 86 has standard seating for 4 passengers; the 718 Cayman can only carry 2.

The GR 86 has 29.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 718 Cayman (77.2 vs. 48).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the GR 86 easier. The GR 86’s trunk lift-over height is 27.2 inches, while the 718 Cayman’s liftover is 32.7 inches.

The GR 86 Premium Auto has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer a remote starting system.