Compare the2023 Subaru BRZVS 2022 Porsche 718 Cayman

The BRZ has standard Whiplash Protection Seats, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Protection Seats system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The BRZ 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 BRZ Auto’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the BRZ Limited’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 BRZ 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 BRZ 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, blind spot warning systems and rear parking sensors.

Subaru’s powertrain warranty covers the BRZ 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.

There are over 3 times as many Subaru dealers as there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the BRZ’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Porsche vehicles. With 9 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Subaru higher than Porsche.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Porsche vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 1 place higher in reliability than Porsche.

On the EPA test cycle the BRZ gets better mileage than the 718 Cayman:

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Subaru BRZ higher (3 out of 10) than the Porsche 718 Cayman (1). This means the BRZ produces up to 22.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the 718 Cayman every 15,000 miles.

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

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

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

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

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the BRZ Limited is quieter than the 718 Cayman GT4 RS:

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

The BRZ 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 BRZ easier. The BRZ’s trunk lift-over height is 27.1 inches, while the 718 Cayman’s liftover is 32.7 inches.

The BRZ Limited 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.

The BRZ’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children from operating them. Porsche does not offer a locking feature on the 718 Cayman’s standard power windows.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the BRZ’s exterior PIN entry system. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Porsche Connect can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.