Compare the2024 Lexus RCVS 2024 Porsche 718 Cayman

The RC’s optional 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 RC offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The RC’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The RC has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the 718 Cayman’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the RC’s standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert 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.

The RC’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the RC 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 rear parking sensors.

The Lexus RC weighs 503 to 851 pounds more than the Porsche 718 Cayman. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and its standard front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the RC the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 207 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The 718 Cayman has not been tested, yet.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the RC 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Porsche covers the 718 Cayman. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the 718 Cayman ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 23 percent more Lexus dealers than there are Porsche dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the RC’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the RC has a standard 580-amp battery. The 718 Cayman’s 340-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Porsche vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Porsche is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Porsche vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus first in overall reliability. Porsche is ranked 8th.

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

The RC has 3.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the 718 Cayman’s standard fuel tank (17.5 vs. 14.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

The Lexus RC 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 Lexus RC, 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 RC, 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 RC’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the 718 Cayman:

The RC 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 RC’s wheelbase is 10.1 inches longer than on the 718 Cayman (107.5 inches vs. 97.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the RC is 2.2 inches wider in the front and 2 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the 718 Cayman.

For better maneuverability, the RC’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the 718 Cayman’s (34.2 feet vs. 36.1 feet). The RC AWD’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the 718 Cayman GT4 RS’ (34.8 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

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

The RC has 35.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 718 Cayman (83.8 vs. 48).

The RC has 3.2 inches more front legroom and 3.4 inches more front shoulder room than the 718 Cayman.

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the RC easier. The RC’s trunk lift-over height is 27.6 inches, while the 718 Cayman’s liftover is 32.7 inches.

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

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Porsche. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 18% lower rating, Porsche is ranked third.

The RC has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The RC’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children from operating them, but the driver can still raise and lower both of them with the lock engaged. Porsche does not offer a locking feature on the 718 Cayman’s standard power windows.

If the front windows are left open on the RC the driver can close them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Lexus service department.) The driver of the 718 Cayman can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The RC has standard Smart Access that allows you to unlock the doors from either outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Porsche Entry and Drive costs extra on the 718 Cayman.

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