Compare the2023 Porsche 718 CaymanVS 2023 Chevrolet Corvette

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 Corvette doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The 718 Cayman Auto offers optional Porsche Active Safety, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Corvette doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

The 718 Cayman has standard ParkAssist to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or in front of their vehicle. The Corvette doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

Both the 718 Cayman and the Corvette 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 and available blind spot warning systems.

The 718 Cayman comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Corvette’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The 718 Cayman’s corrosion warranty is 6 years and unlimited miles longer than the Corvette’s (12/unlimited vs. 6/100,000).

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the 718 Cayman have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of some of the engines in the Corvette.

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 Chevrolet 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, Chevrolet is rated lower.

In a Motor Trend race course test, the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 was clocked 1.69 seconds faster than the Chevrolet Corvette Coupe (96.14 sec. vs. 97.83 sec.).

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

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

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

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the 718 Cayman’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Corvette doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

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

The 718 Cayman stops much shorter than the Corvette:

The 718 Cayman’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (44.7% to 55.3%) than the Corvette’s (40% to 60%). This gives the 718 Cayman more stable handling and braking.

The 718 Cayman GT4 RS handles at 1.11 G’s, while the Corvette Coupe pulls only 1.03 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the 718 Cayman’s turning circle is .3 feet tighter than the Corvette with Magnetic Ride Control’s (36.1 feet vs. 36.4 feet). The 718 Cayman GT4’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Corvette’s (37.5 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

The Porsche 718 Cayman may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 500 pounds less than the Chevrolet Corvette.

The 718 Cayman is 9.9 inches shorter than the Corvette, making the 718 Cayman easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The 718 Cayman is 6.8 inches narrower on average than the Corvette, making the 718 Cayman easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

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 Corvette uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the 718 Cayman is quieter than the Corvette Coupe:

The 718 Cayman has a much larger trunk than the Corvette Coupe (14.9 vs. 12.6 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the 718 Cayman easier. The 718 Cayman’s trunk lift-over height is 32.7 inches, while the Corvette’s liftover is 38.7 inches.

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 Corvette doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Chevrolet. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With a 27% lower rating, Chevrolet is ranked 16th.

The 718 Cayman’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Corvette’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the 718 Cayman offers an optional rear wiper. The Corvette doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

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 Corvette doesn’t offer headlight washers.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the 718 Cayman detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Corvette doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the 718 Cayman has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Corvette doesn’t offer cornering lights.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the 718 Cayman (except Manual) offers an optional Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Corvette doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its August 2021 issue and the Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 won out over the Chevrolet Corvette Coupe.

The 718 Cayman was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” for 3 of the last 10 years. The Corvette has never been an “All Star.”