Compare the2023 Porsche 718 CaymanVS 2023 Subaru BRZ

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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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 BRZ doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

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 BRZ doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

Both the 718 Cayman and the BRZ 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.

Warranty

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 BRZ’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The 718 Cayman’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the BRZ’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

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 BRZ’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

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 Subaru 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, Subaru is rated below average.

Engine

The 718 Cayman’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 72 more horsepower (300 vs. 228) and 96 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 184) than the BRZ’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder. The 718 Cayman S’ standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 122 more horsepower (350 vs. 228) and 125 lbs.-ft. more torque (309 vs. 184) than the BRZ’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder. The 718 Cayman GTS 4.0’s standard 4.0 GT3 6-cylinder produces 166 more horsepower (394 vs. 228) and 125 lbs.-ft. more torque (309 vs. 184) than the BRZ’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder. The 718 Cayman GT4’s standard 4.0 GT3 6-cylinder produces 186 more horsepower (414 vs. 228) and 125 lbs.-ft. more torque (309 vs. 184) than the BRZ’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder. The 718 Cayman GT4 RS’ standard 4.0 DOHC 6-cylinder produces 265 more horsepower (493 vs. 228) and 147 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 184) than the BRZ’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder.

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

	718 Cayman 2.0	718 Cayman S	BRZ
Zero to 60 MPH	4.3 sec	4.1 sec	5.4 sec
Quarter Mile	12.7 sec	12.4 sec	13.9 sec

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

	718 Cayman 2.0	718 Cayman S	BRZ
Zero to 60 MPH	4.1 sec	3.6 sec	6.6 sec
Quarter Mile	12.5 sec	12 sec	14.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	111.2 MPH	114.9 MPH	97 MPH

As tested in Motor Trend the 718 Cayman GT4 4.0 GT3 6-cylinder is faster than the Subaru BRZ (base engine) (automatics tested):

	718 Cayman	BRZ
Zero to 60 MPH	3.4 sec	6.6 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	117.5 MPH	97 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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 BRZ 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 BRZ 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 BRZ doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The 718 Cayman’s standard fuel tank has a gallon more fuel capacity than the BRZ (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 BRZ (16.9 vs. 13.2 gallons).

Transmission

A seven-speed automatic (SMG) is available on the Porsche 718 Cayman, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the BRZ.

The 718 Cayman offers an optional sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The BRZ doesn’t offer an SMG.

The 718 Cayman PDK’s optional launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The BRZ doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	718 Cayman	718 Cayman GT4 CCB	BRZ
Front Rotors	13 inches	16.1 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	15.4 inches	11.4 inches

The 718 Cayman GT4 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 BRZ doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The 718 Cayman stops much shorter than the BRZ:

	718 Cayman	BRZ
70 to 0 MPH	132 feet	163 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	97 feet	111 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the 718 Cayman has larger standard tires than the BRZ (F:235/45R18 & R:265/45R18 vs. 215/45R17). The 718 Cayman GT4’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the BRZ (F:245/35R20 & R:295/30R20 vs. 215/45R17).

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 BRZ Limited’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 718 Cayman has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the BRZ Premium. The 718 Cayman’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the BRZ Limited.

Suspension and Handling

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

The 718 Cayman offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The BRZ’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The 718 Cayman offers optional vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The BRZ doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The 718 Cayman GT4 RS handles at 1.11 G’s, while the BRZ Premium pulls only .94 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The 718 Cayman GT4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.7 seconds quicker than the BRZ (23.1 seconds @ .87 average G’s vs. 25.8 seconds @ .71 average G’s).

Chassis

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 BRZ uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the 718 Cayman is quieter than the BRZ Limited (84 vs. 89 dB).

Passenger Space

The 718 Cayman has 2.1 inches more front headroom and .7 inches more front legroom than the BRZ.

Cargo Capacity

The 718 Cayman has a much larger trunk than the BRZ (14.9 vs. 6.3 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the 718 Cayman. The BRZ 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 BRZ doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Servicing Ease

The 718 Cayman uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The BRZ uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

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

Ergonomics

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 BRZ 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 BRZ 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 BRZ does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The 718 Cayman’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch. The BRZ 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.

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 BRZ’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

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

The 718 Cayman’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Subaru only offers heated mirrors on the BRZ Limited.

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 BRZ’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 BRZ 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 BRZ 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 BRZ doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The 718 Cayman’s available GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that plots alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The BRZ’s available navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.

Model Availability

The Porsche 718 comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Subaru BRZ isn’t available as a convertible.

Economic Advantages

The 718 Cayman will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the 718 Cayman will retain 59.8% to 62.29% of its original price after five years, while the BRZ only retains 49.61% to 52.6%.

Recommendations

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