Porsche 718 2018 Review

The 2018 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS is a sports car in the range of 700,000 to 1.2 million Malaysian Ringgit, combining pure driving pleasure with practical convenience, attracting enthusiasts with its powerful performance, precise handling, and sporty design.

RM 1,000,000

Porsche 718 2018

Segment

Sports Car

Body Type

Sedan

Capacity(L)

Engine Power(PS)

Engine Torque(Nm)

Transmission

View Porsche 718 > View Full Specs >

Review

User Review

Specs

In Malaysia's sports car market, the segment priced between RM700,000 to RM1,200,000 has always been a competitive zone balancing performance and practicality. The 2018 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS stands out as a popular choice in this range, attracting enthusiasts with the pure driving sensation of its naturally aspirated engine and Porsche's trademark handling adjustments. This time, we got our hands on the actual car to verify whether its dynamic performance lives up to the "GTS" sports positioning, while also assessing if its daily usability meets expectations.

From the exterior, the overall style of the 2018 Cayman GTS is more aggressive than the standard version. The front features blackened matrix LED headlights, paired with a large honeycomb-shaped air intake grille below, visually lowering the front-end center of gravity. The side body lines extend from the front fenders to the rear. The 20-inch black five-spoke sports wheels paired with red brake calipers further enhance the sporty ambiance. At the rear, the blacked-out LED taillights echo the centrally positioned dual-round exhaust outlets, and the diffuser design improves aerodynamic performance, providing high overall recognition.

Sitting inside the car, the first impression is of a driver-focused dashboard layout. The interior is predominantly black, with Alcantara material covering the steering wheel, seat bolsters, and door armrests, offering a delicate and anti-slip touch. The 10.9-inch central touch screen is equipped with the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with satisfactory operating smoothness. In terms of configurations, the car features 14-way electrically adjustable sports seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, front and rear parking sensors, and a reversing camera, covering basic daily convenience needs.

In terms of space performance, the dimensions are 4379mm×1801mm×1295mm, with a wheelbase of 2475mm. The front seats offer excellent support. After adjusting the seating position, a passenger of 175cm height still has about a fist worth of headroom. The usability of the rear seats is limited, making them more suitable for placing small items like backpacks or short-term emergency seating for children. Regarding storage, the front trunk has a capacity of 150L, and the rear trunk has a capacity of 275L, sufficient to accommodate two 20-inch suitcases, thereby meeting daily commuting or short-trip luggage needs.

For the powertrain, the 2018 Cayman GTS is equipped with a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated flat-four engine, delivering a maximum power of 269kW (365PS) and a peak torque of 430N·m, paired with a 7-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission. During actual driving, the power response in the initial phase is rapid, the throttle feedback is linear, and pressing the throttle deeply above 4500rpm releases a strong surge of power, achieving a 0-100km/h acceleration time of just 4.1 seconds. When switched to Sport+ mode, the gear shifting logic of the transmission becomes more aggressive, with faster downshifts, coupled with the roar of the exhaust, delivering an exhilarating driving experience.

In terms of handling, the steering wheel is highly precise with almost negligible play, and the self-centering force gradually increases with speed, providing the driver with ample confidence. The chassis is equipped with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), and while the suspension is tuned on the firmer side, it effectively filters out excess vibrations when passing over speed bumps or uneven surfaces, maintaining the stability of the car. During cornering, the body roll is well controlled, and the tires provide ample grip, allowing the car to maintain a stable posture even when cornering at relatively high speeds.

As for fuel efficiency, our tests in mixed road conditions indicated an average fuel consumption of about 9.2 L/100km, which can drop to around 7.5 L/100km on highways. For a high-performance sports car, this level of fuel efficiency is reasonable. Regarding braking performance, the front ventilated disc brakes paired with rear ventilated disc brakes provide quick and linear braking response, with a braking distance of approximately 35 meters from 100-0 km/h, showcasing outstanding performance.

In terms of daily driving comfort, the vehicle's sound insulation performs well, with wind noise and tire noise being effectively suppressed during high-speed driving. The seats offer excellent support, ensuring comfort even during long driving sessions. However, due to the firmer suspension tuning, rear passengers may experience some discomfort when driving over continuous uneven road surfaces.

Overall, the core strength of the 2018 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS lies in its pure driving experience and precise handling. The naturally aspirated engine's linear output and smooth PDK transmission allow it to perform exceptionally on mountain roads and race tracks. Compared to competitors in the same class, such as the BMW M2 Competition, the Cayman GTS offers superior handling flexibility and brand character, though it falls slightly short in rear space and storage capacity.

This car is more suitable for consumers who value driving pleasure and prioritize handling performance, especially those who enjoy weekend drives on mountain roads or track days. Although the rear space is limited, the combination of front and rear trunks can basically meet the needs of daily commuting. If you're looking for a sports car that can serve as a daily driver while also unleashing passion on the racetrack, the 2018 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS is worth considering.

Pros

NA engine sound is fascinating, with a rich roar at high RPMs, strong linear thrust feeling, and ample driving pleasure

Chassis tuning is solid, stable body when cornering, strong ground-hugging feel, precise steering wheel, excellent handling

Eye-catching exterior design, GTS sports package adds points, classic frog-eye + fastback shape has high attention rate

Cons

Poor low-speed driving experience, tense and bumpy when following in city traffic jams, weak low torque or overly sensitive throttle makes it jumpy

Suspension is stiff, bumpy over speed bumps/rough roads, poor rear seat comfort, almost unusable for passengers

Thin car paint is easily damaged, high cost of repainting; black paint easily attracts dust, requiring frequent washing

Overall Rating

4.3

Excellent

From 8 Reviews

Section Rating

Performance

4.3 / 5

Interior Design

4.1 / 5

Safety

4.5 / 5

Exterior Design

4.3 / 5

Showing 8 reviews

4 Excellent

X3M40i

Owner of 2018 Porsche 718 718 Cayman GTS

Sure! Here's the translation of the Chinese content from your provided HTML-structured text: As an owner of the 2018 Cayman GTS, driving it in Malaysia for almost two years, the most satisfying aspects are its performance and appearance. Let's start with the performance: the sound of the NA engine is mesmerizing, especially on the mountain roads in the suburbs of Kuala Lumpur. When the revs go above 4000 RPM, the deep roar is incredibly thrilling. The chassis tuning is very solid, and the body remains exceptionally stable during cornering. Even on slightly slippery asphalt roads after rain, the grip is strong enough to inspire confidence. However, occasionally during city traffic jams, the low-speed following can feel a bit "tight," but as a sports car, this is reasonable. Overall, a score of 4 is quite appropriate. In terms of appearance, the GTS version's sports kit is definitely a highlight! The black side skirts, front lip, and smoked wheels have a particularly premium texture under the sunlight. Every time I park near the Twin Towers, it attracts a lot of attention. The fastback design is more dynamic compared to the hardtop 911, and the details like the red brake calipers and Porsche crest are exquisite. The only minor regret is that the paint is a bit thin; a small chip occurred last time due to gravel by the sea in Penang. However, the overall aesthetics are still outstanding, and a score of 4 is well-deserved.

4 Excellent

RS6_C8

Owner of 2018 Porsche 718 718 Cayman GTS

As the owner of a 2018 Cayman GTS, after driving it in Malaysia for nearly five years, I truly feel like I made the right choice! First, performance, I think giving it a 4 out of 5 is very fair—when driving in Kuala Lumpur's city traffic, the low-end torque of the 3.4L naturally aspirated engine is very smooth, without the sudden surges of a turbo engine. On weekends, driving up Genting Highlands or on the East Coast highways, when the revs exceed 5000 rpm, the sound instantly roars to life. The chassis grip during cornering is superb. However, going over speed bumps at low speeds is indeed a bit bumpy—after all, it's a sports car setup, so this minor drawback is acceptable. For safety, I must give a full score! Last year on the Penang highway, I encountered an emergency and braked suddenly. The braking response was shockingly quick, and the ABS intervention was particularly linear, with no drifting. Moreover, the body rigidity is indeed strong. There was a time when I had to dodge a motorcycle that suddenly dashed out on a rural road in Selangor. The car remained incredibly stable when I swerved abruptly—not a hint of wobble, giving a full sense of security. As for the appearance, 4 out of 5 feels just right—the classic Porsche frog-eye headlights and fastback design. Parked in the KLCC parking lot, it gets plenty of double takes, especially with the lava orange color I chose, which looks particularly striking under the tropical sun. However, if the rear-end design were a bit more aggressive, it would be perfect. As it is, it's slightly understated, especially for a GTS version. All in all, driving this car in Malaysia, whether it's for daily commuting or the occasional spirited drive, feels just right!

4 Excellent

i30N

Owner of 2018 Porsche 718 718 Cayman GTS

As the owner of a 2018 Cayman GTS, I've been driving it in Malaysia for almost five years now. I'm quite satisfied with both its performance and appearance. Speaking of performance, the NA naturally aspirated engine sound is absolutely incredible, especially when overtaking on the North-South Highway. The linear push-back feeling when you step hard on the accelerator is particularly thrilling. The chassis is very stable, even when dealing with sudden lane changers in Kuala Lumpur, and cornering feels steady with no drifting. However, on bumpy rural roads, the suspension is indeed a bit stiff, making it somewhat uncomfortable for rear-seat passengers, so I deducted one point for that. As for the appearance, the fastback design combined with the GTS-specific sporty bodykit gives it a very high on-road head-turning rate, especially when parked near the Twin Towers, where people often come over to ask what car it is. However, the paint is a bit thin. Last time, in a narrow alley in Penang, a scrape with an electric scooter caused some paint to come off, and the repainting was quite expensive, which is a slight disappointment. Overall, as a sports car, its performance on Malaysian roads is already excellent, and it’s definitely worth considering!

4 Excellent

GT_R35

Owner of 2018 Porsche 718 718 Cayman GTS

As the owner of a 2018 Cayman GTS and having driven it in Malaysia for almost five years, I think giving it 4 stars for safety and performance is quite reasonable. Starting with safety, during usual traffic jams in KL when following cars closely, there was a time when the car in front braked suddenly. Its automatic braking system reacted quickly with a "thud" and stopped the car, preventing a collision. This feature is really practical for the stop-and-go traffic conditions in Malaysia. However, there was a time when I was driving on the East Coast Highway during heavy rain, and the tire noise and the slippery feeling of the road were quite noticeable. Although the car remained stable, I still felt a bit nervous. If the active safety features were even more sensitive, it would have been perfect, which is why I didn’t give it 5 stars. As for performance, the sound of the naturally aspirated engine on mountain roads is amazing! The last time I drove downhill from Genting, the steering was precise, the chassis had a strong sense of ground adhesion, and overtaking or lane changing felt effortless. However, driving in downtown Kuala Lumpur is slightly "frustrating"—the throttle response at low speeds is too sensitive, making me worried about surging forward in traffic jams, and the fuel consumption is higher than expected. Still, as a sports car, its performance on Malaysian highways and mountain roads is good enough to make me satisfied, so 4 stars are well-deserved.

5 Excellent

CX30

Owner of 2018 Porsche 718 718 Cayman GTS

As the owner of the 2018 Cayman GTS, having driven in Malaysia for almost five years, I truly feel that this money was well spent! First, let’s praise the performance—absolutely full marks with no flaws! The sound of the naturally aspirated engine is simply mesmerizing. Especially when overtaking on the North-South Highway, the instant throttle response and power by pressing the accelerator deeply provide an immediate push-back experience that pins you to the seat. Even in Kuala Lumpur city traffic, it handles low speeds without any jerking, and on weekend trips to the winding roads of Genting Highlands, it truly shines—its chassis feels glued to the ground, cornering with precision exactly as directed, and never causing concern for body roll. As for the exterior, the classic Porsche frog-eye design, paired with the GTS-exclusive sports body kit and large rear wing, makes it highly recognizable—every time I park at KLCC, it always turns heads. For the interior, I’d give it a 4 out of 5, as the overall craftsmanship leaves no room for complaints. The Alcantara suede steering wheel feels superb to grip, but since it’s an 18-year model, the size of the center console screen is indeed smaller compared to modern electric cars. However, it’s still sufficient for daily use. All in all, driving this car in Malaysia—whether it’s on highways, winding roads, or city streets—it delivers endless driving pleasure!