Compare the2024 Nissan GT-RVS 2023 Porsche 718 Cayman

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

Both the GT-R and the 718 Cayman 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 and rearview cameras.

The Nissan GT-R weighs 591 to 895 pounds more than the Porsche 718 Cayman. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Nissan’s powertrain warranty covers the GT-R 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Porsche covers the 718 Cayman. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the 718 Cayman ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 6 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the GT-R’s warranty.

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

The GT-R has more powerful engines than the 718 Cayman:

As tested in Motor Trend the Nissan GT-R (base engine) is faster than the Porsche 718 Cayman (automatics tested):

In a Motor Trend race course test, the Nissan GT-R NISMO was clocked 5.04 seconds faster than the Porsche 718 Cayman S (95.01 sec. vs. 100.05 sec.).

On the EPA test cycle the GT-R gets better mileage than the 718 Cayman:

The GT-R has 5.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the 718 Cayman’s standard fuel tank (19.5 vs. 14.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The GT-R has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the 718 Cayman’s optional fuel tank (19.5 vs. 16.9 gallons).

The Nissan GT-R comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the 718 Cayman.

All wheel drive, available in the GT-R, 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 GT-R’s brake rotors are larger than those on the 718 Cayman:

The GT-R stops shorter than the 718 Cayman:

For better traction, the GT-R has larger tires than the 718 Cayman (F:255/40R20 & R:285/35R20 vs. F:235/45R18 & R:265/45R18). The GT-R’s front tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 718 Cayman (255/40R20 vs. 245/35R20).

The GT-R’s 255/40R20 front and 285/35R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear 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 GT-R has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the 718 Cayman.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the GT-R can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GT-R’s wheelbase is 12 inches longer than on the 718 Cayman (109.4 inches vs. 97.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the GT-R is 2.7 inches wider in the front and 2.5 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the 718 Cayman.

The GT-R NISMO handles at 1.02 G’s, while the 718 Cayman S pulls only 1.01 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The GT-R NISMO executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the 718 Cayman (22.9 seconds @ .92 average G’s vs. 24 seconds @ .81 average G’s).

The design of the Nissan GT-R amounts to more than styling. The GT-R has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .26 Cd. That is significantly lower than the 718 Cayman (.3 to .34). A more efficient exterior helps the GT-R go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the GT-R get better fuel mileage.

The GT-R 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.

The GT-R has standard seating for 4 passengers; the 718 Cayman can only carry 2.

The GT-R has 31 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 718 Cayman (79 vs. 48).

The GT-R has 2.4 inches more front legroom and 3 inches more front shoulder room than the 718 Cayman.

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

The GT-R’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children from operating them. Porsche does not offer a locking feature on the 718 Cayman’s standard power windows.

The GT-R’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.