Compare the2024 Porsche 718 CaymanVS 2024 Lexus RC F

Both the 718 Cayman and the RC F 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, available crash mitigating brakes and blind spot warning systems.

The 718 Cayman’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the RC F’s (12 vs. 6 years).

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 RC F’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 718 Cayman third among compact premium sporty cars in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The RC F isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than Lexus vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in initial quality. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lexus is rated lower.

The 718 Cayman GT4 RS’ standard 4.0 DOHC 6-cylinder produces 21 more horsepower (493 vs. 472) than the RC F’s 5.0 DOHC V8.

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

As tested in Car and Driver the 718 Cayman GT4 RS 4.0 DOHC 6-cylinder is faster than the Lexus RC F 5.0 (automatics tested):

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

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

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the 718 Cayman GT4 RS/GTS 4.0’s fuel efficiency. The RC F 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 RC F 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 RC F doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The 718 Cayman offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The RC F doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

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 RC F doesn’t offer an SMG.

For better stopping power the CCB’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the RC F:

The 718 Cayman stops much shorter than the RC F:

The 718 Cayman GT4 RS’ 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 RC F’s 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 718 Cayman offers optional 20-inch wheels. The RC F’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Porsche 718 Cayman may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 to 750 pounds less than the Lexus RC F.

The 718 Cayman is 1 foot, 1 inches shorter than the RC F, making the 718 Cayman easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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 RC F 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 RC F (84 vs. 85 dB).

The 718 Cayman has 1.3 inches more front headroom and .6 inches more front shoulder room than the RC F.

The 718 Cayman has a much larger trunk than the RC F (14.9 vs. 9.9 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 RC F 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 has a maintenance free battery for long life without checking the battery’s water level. The RC F doesn’t have a maintenance free battery, so the water level in the battery’s cells must be checked often to prevent damage.

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 RC F does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the 718 Cayman offers an optional rear wiper. The RC F doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the 718 Cayman has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The RC F doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Porsche 718 comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Lexus RC F isn’t available as a convertible.

The 718 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024 and 18 more times in the last 20 years. The RC F has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Porsche 718 outsold the Lexus RC by almost three to one during 2023.