Compare the2024 Porsche 718 CaymanVS 2023 Dodge Challenger

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 Challenger doesn’t offer knee airbags.

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 Challenger offers an available collision warning system without the automated brake feature that would prevent or reduce the collision if the driver fails to react.

The 718 Cayman has standard ParkAssist to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or in front of their vehicle. The Challenger doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

Both the 718 Cayman and the Challenger 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, rearview cameras and available blind spot warning systems.

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 Challenger’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The 718 Cayman’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Challenger’s (12 vs. 5 years).

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the 718 Cayman have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of some of the engines in the Challenger.

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

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Dodge vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in long-term dependability. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Dodge is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Dodge vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 13 places higher in reliability than Dodge.

As tested in Car and Driver the Porsche 718 Cayman turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Challenger R/T Scat Pack 6.4 V8 (manual transmissions tested):

As tested in Car and Driver the Porsche 718 Cayman turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Dodge Challenger V6 (automatics tested):

As tested in Motor Trend the 718 Cayman S 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Challenger R/T Scat Pack 6.4 V8 (automatics tested):

As tested in Car and Driver the 718 Cayman GT4 RS 4.0 DOHC 6-cylinder is faster than the Challenger SRT Hellcat 6.2 supercharged V8 (automatics tested):

In a Car and Driver race course test, the Porsche 718 Cayman was clocked 3.1 seconds faster than the Dodge Challenger SRT Widebody Hellcat (176.7 sec. vs. 179.8 sec.).

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

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

Regenerative brakes improve the 718 Cayman’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Challenger 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 Challenger doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The 718 Cayman has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Challenger. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

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 Challenger doesn’t offer an SMG.

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

The 718 Cayman’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the Challenger SXT are solid, not vented.

The 718 Cayman GT4 RS offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The Challenger doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The 718 Cayman stops much shorter than the Challenger:

For better traction and acceleration, the 718 Cayman has larger standard rear tires than the Challenger (265/45R18 vs. 235/55R18).

The 718 Cayman’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Challenger SXT’s standard 55 series tires. The 718 Cayman GT4 RS’ 295/30R20 rear tires have a lower 30 series profile than the Challenger Widebody’s 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 718 Cayman has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch rear wheels are standard on the Challenger SRT Demon 170.

The 718 Cayman GT4 RS handles at 1.11 G’s, while the Challenger SXT pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The 718 Cayman executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.4 seconds quicker than the Challenger Scat Pack (23.1 seconds @ .87 average G’s vs. 25.5 seconds @ .81 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the 718 Cayman GT4 RS’ turning circle is .4 feet tighter than the Challenger R/T Scat Pack’s (37.4 feet vs. 37.8 feet).

The Porsche 718 Cayman may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 800 to 1250 pounds less than the Dodge Challenger.

The 718 Cayman is 2 feet, 1.1 inches shorter than the Challenger, making the 718 Cayman easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The 718 Cayman is 5.5 inches narrower on average than the Challenger, making the 718 Cayman easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The 718 Cayman is 7.3 inches shorter in height than the Challenger, making the 718 Cayman much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

The design of the Porsche 718 Cayman amounts to more than styling. The 718 Cayman offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .3 to .34 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is lower than the Challenger (.337 to .398). A more efficient exterior helps the 718 Cayman go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the 718 Cayman get better fuel mileage.

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

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the 718 Cayman is quieter than the Challenger SRT Hellcat:

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

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Dodge. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With a 39% lower rating, Dodge is ranked 21st.

The 718 Cayman’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Challenger doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The 718 Cayman’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch. The Challenger

The 718 Cayman’s front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Challenger’s power windows’ switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

The 718 Cayman’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Challenger’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

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

The 718 Cayman’s standard high intensity discharge (HID) headlights provide a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using less power than the Challenger’s standard halogen headlights. HID units last two to six times longer than halogen. The 718 Cayman’s optional LED headlights produce a white, bright light using less electricity than the Challenger’s optional 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.

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 Challenger doesn’t offer headlight washers.

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 Challenger doesn’t offer cornering lights.

When the 718 Cayman with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Challenger’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The 718 Cayman’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Challenger has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Porsche 718 comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Dodge Challenger 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 Challenger has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.