Compare the2023 Porsche 718 CaymanVS 2023 Ferrari Roma

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 Roma doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The 718 Cayman has standard head airbag curtains which act as a forgiving barrier between the driver and outboard passenger's upper bodies and the window and pillars. Combined with high-strength steel door beams and lower side airbags this system increases head protection in broadside collisions. The Roma doesn't offer side airbag protection for the head.

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 Roma doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

The 718 Cayman’s optional blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. The Roma doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

Both the 718 Cayman and the Roma have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding and front and rear parking sensors.

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 Roma’s 3-year basic warranty expires 1 year sooner.

The 718 Cayman’s corrosion warranty is 9 years longer than the Roma’s (12 vs. 3 years).

There are over 4 times as many Porsche dealers as there are Ferrari dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 718 Cayman’s warranty.

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

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

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 Roma 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 Roma doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

For better stopping power the 718 Cayman GT4 CCB’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Roma:

The 718 Cayman GT4’s 295/30R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Roma’s 35 series tires.

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

The 718 Cayman is 10.9 inches shorter than the Roma, making the 718 Cayman easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The 718 Cayman is 6.6 inches narrower on average than the Roma, making the 718 Cayman easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

For excellent aerodynamics, the 718 Cayman has standard flush composite headlights. The Roma has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The 718 Cayman has a much larger trunk than the Roma (14.9 vs. 10.3 cubic feet).

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

The 718 Cayman’s standard power window controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Roma’s available power window controls are spread out on the center console where they can’t be seen without the driver completely removing his eyes from the road.

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

The 718 Cayman’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Roma’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

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 Roma doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

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

The 718 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2023 and 17 more times in the last 19 years. The Roma has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.