Compare the2023 Audi RS 5VS 2023 Porsche 718 Cayman

The RS 5’s 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 RS 5’s standard pretensioning seatbelts also sense rear collisions and remove slack from the seatbelts to help protect the occupants from whiplash and other injuries. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The RS 5 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The RS 5 has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The RS 5’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The RS 5 offers an optional Top and Corner View Cameras to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The 718 Cayman only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the RS 5’s optional rear cross-path warning system 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.

Both the RS 5 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 blind spot warning systems.

The Audi RS 5 weighs 714 to 950 pounds more than the Porsche 718 Cayman. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

There are over 56 percent more Audi dealers than there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the RS 5’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 RS 5 has a 6500 RPM redline.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the RS 5 has a standard 150-amp alternator. The 718 Cayman’s 120-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the RS 5 has a standard 420-amp battery. The 718 Cayman’s 340-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

The RS 5’s 2.9 turbo V6 produces 144 more horsepower (444 vs. 300) and 162 lbs.-ft. more torque (442 vs. 280) than the 718 Cayman’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The RS 5’s 2.9 turbo V6 produces 94 more horsepower (444 vs. 350) and 133 lbs.-ft. more torque (442 vs. 309) than the 718 Cayman S’ standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The RS 5’s 2.9 turbo V6 produces 50 more horsepower (444 vs. 394) and 133 lbs.-ft. more torque (442 vs. 309) than the 718 Cayman GTS 4.0’s standard 4.0 GT3 6-cylinder. The RS 5’s 2.9 turbo V6 produces 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (442 vs. 331) than the 718 Cayman GT4 RS’ standard 4.0 DOHC 6-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the RS 5 gets better mileage than the 718 Cayman:

The RS 5 has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the 718 Cayman’s standard fuel tank (15.3 vs. 14.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

The Audi RS 5 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 Audi RS 5, 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 RS 5, 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.

For better stopping power the RS 5’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the 718 Cayman:

For better traction, the RS 5 has larger standard tires than the 718 Cayman (265/35R19 vs. 235/45R18). The RS 5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 718 Cayman (275/30R20 vs. 245/35R20).

The RS 5’s standard 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. The RS 5’s optional tires have a lower 30 series profile than the 718 Cayman GT4’s 35 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RS 5 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the 718 Cayman.

The RS 5 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 RS 5’s wheelbase is 11.5 inches longer than on the 718 Cayman (108.9 inches vs. 97.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RS 5 is 2.8 inches wider in the front and 2 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the 718 Cayman.

The RS 5 has standard seating for 4 passengers; the 718 Cayman can only carry 2.

The RS 5 has 36 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 718 Cayman (84 vs. 48).

With its coupe body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the RS 5 offers cargo security. The 718 Cayman’s hatchback body style and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the RS 5 has a standard power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button or just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer a power trunk.

The RS 5 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

If the windows are left open on the RS 5 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower 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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the RS 5 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The RS 5’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 RS 5 has standard extendable sun visors. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The RS 5 has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the 718 Cayman.

The RS 5 has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the 718 Cayman.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi RS 5 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The RS 5’s optional Park Steering Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Audi A5/S5/RS 5 outsold the Porsche 718 by almost 8 to one during 2022.