What makes a Porsche truly exceptional? Inspired design鈥攅xhilarating performance鈥攁dvanced technology? The 2019 Porsche 718 Cayman combines all of these things to offer an undeniably elevated driving experience for all those in search of the best life has to offer. Equipped with a turbocharged boxer engine, a 7-inch multi-touch screen, and boasting timeless, head-turning style, the 2019 Porsche 718 Cayman is a sports car like no other on the road. Even at a standstill, the 2019 Porsche 718 Cayman conveys an irresistible sense of dynamic motion. A sophisticated contoured profile enhances performance while garnering plenty of admirable glances, and thoughtful design cues throughout make no doubt about it: the 2019 718 Cayman is meticulously crafted to deliver quality in every aspect of the driving experience. Inside, you鈥檙e in charge of the ultimate drive behind the wheel. All buttons and functions are purposefully located and intuitive to operate. A 4.6-inch color screen instrument cluster lets you monitor your driving statistics, while genuine materials like premium leather add comfort, class, and elegance. At the heart of the 2019 Porsche 718 Cayman is the four-cylinder turbocharged boxer engine, inspired by a long legacy of performance race car engineering. Standard models are outfitted with the 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer engine, capable of 300 horsepower a 6,500 rpm and maximum torque of 280 lb-ft. This potent engine enables 0 to 60 acceleration in just 4.7 seconds. For the ultimate experience, though, opt for the S model 718 Cayman, which features a 2.5-liter turbocharged boxer engine that takes performance to the next level. Generating 350 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 309 lb-ft of torque, the 2019 Porsche 718 Cayman S model makes it from 0 to 60 in just 4 seconds flat. The 2019 Porsche 718 Cayman features the new and enhanced Porsche Communication Management system. This advanced system comes standard on all models and offers a truly seamless connectivity experience, allowing you to easily connect to your smartphone and access all of your favorite music, apps, navigation, and more.
It鈥檚 allied to the four-wheel drive, which isn鈥檛 flummoxed by slippery conditions, and which easily and evenly distributes power to where it鈥檚 needed. Traction is superb and the way the system shuffles the motive force around helps agility. It鈥檚 a Macan trait, and the Jag can鈥檛 match this car鈥檚 handling ability. On the firmest suspension setting roll is nicely contained, but the ride does take on a less composed edge. The middle mode is a better bet for sporty driving, while the default comfort setting means the Macan glides more over the road. On optional 20-inch alloys you do feel thumps and bumps, but they鈥檙e still nicely dealt with and body movement is well curtailed. It still feels more dynamic than the Jag, even if it sometimes sacrifices a little of the bigger F-Pace鈥檚 ride comfort. There should be no worries about performance. The 2.0-litre engine isn鈥檛 the most musical, but it delivers the goods.
The Porsche covers 0-60mph in 6.1 seconds, a full two seconds quicker than the Jag. A smaller footprint means the Macan isn鈥檛 quite as roomy inside, and nor is its boot as big. However, with 500 litres on offer, there鈥檚 still plenty of luggage space - enough for a family鈥檚 bags. A powered tailgate is standard. The rear of the cabin is more cramped than the Jaguar鈥檚, but this is relative and there鈥檚 still adequate room in the back. Tall people will feel a little tightly squeezed, while the Porsche鈥檚 more tapered roofline means headroom isn鈥檛 quite as good as in the boxier F-Pace, but this difference isn鈥檛 too pronounced. Visibility is good, even over the shoulder, and the raised seating position makes the car easy to drive. Porsche didn鈥檛 feature in our latest Driver Power satisfaction survey, but its reputation for reliability stems from its success in endurance racing.
Its road cars should be just as dependable, and because the mechanicals are similar to the previous Macan鈥檚, this bodes well. Safety isn鈥檛 quite as strong as the Jag鈥檚. Autonomous braking is packaged with the 拢1,802 optional Traffic Jam Assist adaptive cruise, and while lane-departure warning and eight airbags are standard, lane-keep assist and blind-spot warning cost 拢413 each. A five-star Euro NCAP rating from 2014 still stands, although the test wasn鈥檛 quite as strict as it is now. The Porsche brand has very strong residuals - our experts predict the Macan will retain 20 per cent more than the F-Pace, at 62.6 per cent. This means it鈥檒l shed 拢17,314 after three years or 36,000 miles, and so will be worth 拢29,030. This compares with an estimated residual value of 42.4 per cent for the F-Pace, which is expected to lose more, at 拢26,504, and therefore be worth 拢19,526. Budget plenty for servicing, insurance and road tax on these premium vehicles; both incur the VED surcharge, so will cost 拢450 a year to tax.
Testers鈥?notes: 鈥淣ew Mamba Green paint highlights updated Macan鈥檚 revised styling. As a former Auto Express Car of the Year, the F-Pace knows how to win. In fact, when it last met the Macan - both in 3.0 V6 diesel form - it rose to the top. However, the market has changed, hence the updated 2.0 petrol Porsche, so can this 拢46,030 Jaguar in 25t R-Sport spec find success again? The Jaguar鈥檚 platform uses some aluminium components to help keep weight down, and although at 1,831kg it鈥檚 a bit heavier than the Porsche, it鈥檚 also physically larger, so this slight deficit is countered in other areas. The engine has a little more power than its rival, too. It鈥檚 a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol turbo from JLR鈥檚 Ingenium family, and kicks out 247bhp - but 5Nm less torque, at 365Nm. As with the Macan, power is sent to all four wheels, but the Jaguar uses an eight-speed automatic transmission.