Compare the2023 Lexus RC FVS 2023 Porsche 718 Cayman

The RC F’s optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The RC F’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.

The RC F has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the 718 Cayman’s blind spot costs extra.

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

The RC F’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 RC F and the 718 Cayman have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger 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 and available rear parking sensors.

The Lexus RC F weighs 505 to 862 pounds more than the Porsche 718 Cayman. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and its standard front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the RC F the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 234 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The 718 Cayman has not been tested, yet.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the RC F 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Porsche covers the 718 Cayman. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the 718 Cayman ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 25 percent more Lexus dealers than there are Porsche dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the RC F’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Porsche vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 43 more problems per 100 vehicles, Porsche is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Porsche vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Porsche is rated lower.

The RC F’s 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 172 more horsepower (472 vs. 300) and 115 lbs.-ft. more torque (395 vs. 280) than the 718 Cayman’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The RC F’s 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 122 more horsepower (472 vs. 350) and 86 lbs.-ft. more torque (395 vs. 309) than the 718 Cayman S’ standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The RC F’s 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 78 more horsepower (472 vs. 394) and 86 lbs.-ft. more torque (395 vs. 309) than the 718 Cayman GTS 4.0’s standard 4.0 GT3 6-cylinder. The RC F’s 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 64 lbs.-ft. more torque (395 vs. 331) than the 718 Cayman GT4 RS’ standard 4.0 DOHC 6-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Lexus RC F is faster than the Porsche 718 Cayman turbo 4 cyl. (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the RC F gets better fuel mileage than the 718 Cayman GT4 RS (16 city/24 hwy vs. 15 city/19 hwy).

The RC F has 3.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the 718 Cayman’s standard fuel tank (17.4 vs. 14.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lexus RC F higher (5 out of 10) than the Porsche 718 Cayman (1 to 5). This means the RC F produces up to 39 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the 718 Cayman every 15,000 miles.

The Lexus RC F 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 Lexus RC F, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the 718 Cayman.

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

For better traction, the RC F’s front tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 718 Cayman (255/35R19 vs. 245/35R20).

The RC F’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 718 Cayman’s standard 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RC F has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the 718 Cayman.

The RC F has a standard space-saver spare tire 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 RC F’s wheelbase is 10.1 inches longer than on the 718 Cayman (107.5 inches vs. 97.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RC F is 1.1 inches wider in the front and .9 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the 718 Cayman.

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

The RC F uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

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

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

The RC F has 31.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 718 Cayman (79.4 vs. 48).

With its coupe body style, valet key and remote trunk release lockout, the RC F offers cargo security. The 718 Cayman’s hatchback body style and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Porsche. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 18% lower rating, Porsche is ranked third.

The RC F 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.

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional in the 718 Cayman, the RC F (except Track Edition) offers an optional driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The RC F’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children from operating them, but the driver can still raise and lower both of them with the lock engaged. Porsche does not offer a locking feature on the 718 Cayman’s standard power windows.

If the front windows are left open on the RC F the driver can close them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Lexus service department.) The driver of the 718 Cayman can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The RC F’s LED headlights produce a white, bright light using less electricity than the 718 Cayman’s standard xenon high intensity discharge (HID) headlights. HID headlights can be slow to reach full brightness or power cycle, causing issues when flashing them to signal other vehicles; LED headlights light instantly. LED lights also last about three to four times as long.

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

The Lexus RC outsold the Porsche 718 by 9% during 2022.