Porsche Boxster / Cayman 981 GTS
Porsche's mid-engine two-seater — from the 986 that saved the company to the last flat-six GTS.
9 reviewers · 29 videos · 4 hours watched · 13 press articles
Reviewers strongly agree on its performance and handling, but split on value.
across 9 reviewers
"in the gts's price point of $60 to $8,000 it is one of the best driving cars you can get"
Zygrene · ▶ 15:12"it is kind of expensive already the Cayman"
Autogefuhl · ▶ 27:36Performance
4.0/59 of 9 reviewersstrong consensus“it's still a quick car but it would be quicker and more fun with shorter gearing”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 11:58“such a smooth and effortless engine and the flat 6. How that comes with Porsches is unmistakable.”
positive · Jubbal & Cars · ▶ 3:39“I should not be able to go that fast in that tiny tiny little stretch we are moving here but the car is so comfortable with it”
positive · EverydayDriver · ▶ 6:51Handling
4.5/59 of 9 reviewersstrong consensus“the Porsche Cayman GTS is all about precision and so you feel it in every turn”
positive · Autogefuhl · ▶ 13:55“it just feels flat through the corners you can just carry so much speed it's so effortless in this car”
positive · EverydayDriver · ▶ 8:35“how easy it is to drive and how flat and intuitive it feels the steering is so precise”
positive · Tedward · ▶ 5:05Fun to drive
4.5/59 of 9 reviewersstrong consensus“it was really so easy to spin it around just out one when standing still really this perfect weight balance”
positive · Autogefuhl · ▶ 27:04“this gts gives me the ability to kind of exploit it a little bit the limits are high but they're not so high that i'm bored”
positive · Tedward · ▶ 7:14“it's one of the best cars I've ever owned and I'm having trouble letting it go”
positive · EverydayDriver · ▶ 0:42Daily drivability
4.0/59 of 9 reviewersconsensus“It is the high-speed autobahn blasting car.”
positive · EverydayDriver · ▶ 2:09“these are really comfortable seats and it's beautiful inside with the alcantara”
positive · Tedward · ▶ 2:28“As an everyday drivable Porsche Cayman though this thing's pretty fantastic very few complaints”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 12:35Value
4.0/59 of 9 reviewerssplit“in the gts's price point of $60 to $8,000 it is one of the best driving cars you can get”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 15:12“These have held their value quite well. And I think part of that is when the 718 GTS came out before the GTS 4.0, you know, we had the four-cylinder turbo, which no one liked.”
positive · Jubbal & Cars · ▶ 8:08“you're going to enjoy this car more and you're going to spend 20 or 30 thousand dollars less to enter it”
positive · Tedward · ▶ 10:18Hear it in the reviewer’s words
- Top Gear
Porsche 718 GTS 4.0 review: the 6cyl Cayman is back! Reviews 2026 | Top Gear
◆BuyThe 718 GTS 4.0 is a triumphant return to form for the Cayman, offering a class-leading chassis paired with a naturally aspirated flat-six that enthusiasts have been craving.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who prioritize engine character, linear power delivery, and manual transmission engagement.
- Watch out
- Frustratingly long gear ratios · Particulate filter slightly muffles exhaust sound
1,406 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
Porsche 718 Cayman GTS Driving, Engines & Performance | Top Gear
◆Worth itThe 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 is a beautifully balanced, naturally aspirated sports car that prioritizes engagement and character over raw numbers.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who value mechanical purity, steering feel, and daily usability in a sports car.
- Watch out
- Long gearing · High-RPM torque peak · Motorway road noise
1,084 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
Porsche 718 Cayman GTS review: the world's best sports car? Reviews 2026 | Top Gear
◆Worth it, with caveatsA fabulous, balanced sports car that offers more intensity than the base model, though the 718's four-cylinder transition has slightly dulled the perfection of the previous generation.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who want more power and are willing to trade some ride comfort for intensity.
- Watch out
- Abrupt ride quality · Four-cylinder engine lacks the character of the old six · Expensive options list
1,444 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
Porsche 718 Cayman GTS Review 2026 | Top Gear
◆BuyThe 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 is arguably the best car Porsche builds right now, offering a perfect balance of performance, sound, and daily usability.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who want a daily-drivable sports car with a naturally aspirated flat-six engine.
- Watch out
- Gearing is too long
1,222 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
Porsche 718 Cayman Review 2026 | Top Gear
◆Worth itThe 718 Cayman remains a benchmark sports car, though the base four-cylinder engines lack the character of the older flat-sixes; the GTS and GT4 models are the true standouts.
- Best for
- Drivers seeking a complete, daily-usable sports car who don't require rear seats.
- Watch out
- gruff sound of 4-cylinder engines · high price of upper trims
763 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - MotorTrend
2021 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 First Drive
◆BuyThe 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 is a masterclass in sports car engineering, offering a perfect blend of naturally aspirated performance and daily usability.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts seeking a modern Porsche with the soul and sound of a traditional naturally aspirated flat-six.
- Watch out
- Long second gear ratio · Slight weight penalty over the S model
1,622 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - MotorTrend
2021 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 First Test Review: GT4 Goodness at a Deep Discount
◆BuyThe 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 is a masterclass in balance, offering nearly identical performance to the GT4 while being significantly more comfortable for daily use.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who want a high-performance Porsche that can handle both track days and daily commuting.
- Watch out
- Less aggressive tire compound than the GT4 · Cast iron rotors instead of carbon-ceramics
501 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Road & Track
Porsche Cayman GTS 4.0 Review: Brilliant No Matter Which Transmission
◆Worth itThe Cayman GTS 4.0 remains a brilliant driver's car regardless of transmission, with the PDK offering a mature, highly capable alternative to the manual without sacrificing engagement.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who want a daily-drivable sports car that excels on both track and road.
- Watch out
- Cramped pedal box · Small side mirrors · Stiff ride on long trips · Stop/start system stutter
1,138 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time