Compare the2023 Dodge Challenger VS 2022 Porsche 718 Cayman

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

The Challenger offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Challenger’s optional 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.

Both the Challenger and the 718 Cayman 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 collision warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rear parking sensors.

The Dodge Challenger weighs 565 to 1447 pounds more than the Porsche 718 Cayman. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Dodge’s powertrain warranty covers the Challenger 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 12 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Challenger’s warranty.

The 718 Cayman’s redline is at 7500 to 9000 RPM, which causes more engine wear, and a greater chance of a catastrophic engine failure. The Challenger has a 5800 to 6500 RPM redline.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Challenger has a standard 160-amp alternator (180-amp - Challenger optional and 220 392/Hellcat). The 718 Cayman’s 120-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Challenger has a standard 730-amp battery. The 718 Cayman’s 340-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are better in initial quality than Porsche vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 57 more problems per 100 vehicles, Porsche is ranked 24th, below the industry average.

The Challenger has more powerful engines than the 718 Cayman:

	Horsepower	Torque
Challenger 3.6 DOHC V6	303 HP	268 lbs.-ft.
Challenger R/T automatic 5.7 V8	372 HP	400 lbs.-ft.
Challenger R/T manual 5.7 V8	375 HP	410 lbs.-ft.
Challenger R/T Scat Pack 6.4 V8	485 HP	475 lbs.-ft.
Challenger SRT Hellcat 6.2 supercharged V8	717 HP	656 lbs.-ft.
SRT Hellcat Redeye 6.2 supercharged V8	797 HP	707 lbs.-ft.
Challenger SRT Super Stock 6.2 supercharged V8	807 HP	707 lbs.-ft.
718 Cayman 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	300 HP	280 lbs.-ft.
718 Cayman S 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder	350 HP	309 lbs.-ft.
718 Cayman GTS 4.0 4.0 GT3 6-cylinder	394 HP	309 lbs.-ft.
718 Cayman GT4 4.0 GT3 6-cylinder	414 HP	309 lbs.-ft.
718 Cayman GT4 RS 4.0 DOHC 6-cylinder	493 HP	331 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Car and Driver the Challenger SRT Hellcat 6.2 supercharged V8 is faster than the 718 Cayman S 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder (manual transmissions tested):

	Challenger	718 Cayman
Zero to 60 MPH	3.9 sec	4.1 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	8.1 sec	9.3 sec
Quarter Mile	11.9 sec	12.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	124 MPH	115 MPH
Top Speed	199 MPH	177 MPH

As tested in Car and Driver the Challenger SRT Hellcat 6.2 supercharged V8 is faster than the Porsche 718 Cayman turbo 4 cyl. (automatics tested):

	Challenger	718 Cayman
Zero to 60 MPH	3.6 sec	4.3 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	7.6 sec	10.6 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	4 sec	5.5 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	1.8 sec	4.5 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	2.4 sec	3.6 sec
Quarter Mile	11.7 sec	12.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	126 MPH	110 MPH

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

			MPG
Challenger
RWD	Auto	3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/30 hwy
AWD	Auto	3.6 DOHC V6	18 city/27 hwy
718 Cayman
RWD	Auto	2.0 turbo flat-4	21 city/27 hwy
		2.5 turbo flat-4	19 city/25 hwy
		GTS 4.0 DOHC flat-6	19 city/24 hwy
		GT4 4.0 DOHC flat-6	18 city/24 hwy

The Challenger has 4.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the 718 Cayman’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 14.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Challenger has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the 718 Cayman’s optional fuel tank (18.5 vs. 16.9 gallons).

The Dodge Challenger comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the 718 Cayman.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Dodge Challenger, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the 718 Cayman.

All wheel drive, available in the Challenger, provides the best traction for acceleration in wet, dry, and icy conditions. In corners, all wheel drive allows both outside wheels to provide power, balancing the car. This allows for better handling. The Porsche 718 Cayman is not available with all wheel drive.

The Challenger stops shorter than the 718 Cayman:

	Challenger	718 Cayman
60 to 0 MPH	102 feet	106 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the Challenger SRT Super Stock’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 718 Cayman (315/40R18 vs. 245/35R20).

The Challenger has a standard space-saver spare (not available on R/T Scat Pack/Hellcat/Super Stock) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the 718 Cayman; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Challenger’s wheelbase is 18.6 inches longer than on the 718 Cayman (116 inches vs. 97.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Challenger is 4.2 inches wider in the front and 3.9 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the 718 Cayman.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Challenger Scat Pack is quieter than the 718 Cayman GT4 RS:

	Challenger	718 Cayman
At idle	55 dB	58 dB
Full-Throttle	85 dB	102 dB
70 MPH Cruising	72 dB	76 dB

The Challenger has standard seating for 5 passengers; the 718 Cayman can only carry 2.

The Challenger has 45.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 718 Cayman (93.7 vs. 48).

The Challenger has .2 inches more front headroom and 7.2 inches more front shoulder room than the 718 Cayman.

The Challenger has a much larger trunk than the 718 Cayman (16.2 vs. 15 cubic feet).

The Challenger has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The 718 Cayman has no towing capacity.

The Challenger Automatic offers a 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.

On a hot day the Challenger’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the 718 Cayman can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Challenger has standard extendable sun visors. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer extendable visors.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Dodge Challenger will be $20867 to $22153 less than for the Porsche 718 Cayman.

The Dodge Challenger outsold the Porsche 718 by almost 13 to one during the 2021 model year.