Today Show Presents First Review of Chevy Volt in...
Green
Trucks
Luxury
Family
Brand
Muscle
See more sites from  HighGear  M E D I A  >>
Compare this car to others like it Try our car compare tool now

2009 Porsche Cayman Review

October 4, 2009

STYLING | 10 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

unmistakably a Porsche
Kelley Blue Book

the going-away view is arguably the sexiest perspective in the current Porsche lineup
Car and Driver

racy design puts the tachometer appropriately dead ahead
ConsumerGuide

The 2009 "second generation" Porsche Cayman offers superb styling, period. Editors at TheCarConnection.com find that a few new touches are all it takes to keep this vehicle looking good.

Cars.com reviewers observe that the 2009 Porsche Cayman "has pronounced front fenders finished with elliptical headlights and a low hood," and while similar to the Boxster up front, "the Cayman S' appearance veers away from the Boxster's the farther back you go." Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com unanimously approve of the styling, which Kelley Blue Book says makes the Cayman "unmistakably a Porsche, displaying numerous classic styling cues not only from the 911 but from a host of the marque's previous street and competition cars." Car and Driver raves about the rear styling of the Cayman, contending Porsche's "going-away view is arguably the sexiest perspective." New touches for 2009 include redesigned front and rear panels and larger halogen headlights. Integrated direction indicators and new LED rear lights add extra sass to the exterior.

The 2009 Porsche Cayman comes in two major trims, base and S. Edmunds reviewers remark that "also available for the 2009 Cayman S is the Porsche Design Edition 1," which "has added design features such as black paint with matte black stripes, 19-inch wheels, a chrome-plated sports tailpipe and a custom interior color scheme." Kelley Blue Book says that "a key visual differentiator between the two models is that the Cayman S wears 18-inch wheels fitted with lower-profile tires than those that wrap the 17-inch rims on a base Cayman," and they find that "the top-line variant also has a subtle black front spoiler lip" and "a large single oval exhaust."

The praise for the styling of the Porsche Cayman is not limited to the exterior. Although ConsumerGuide approves of the "racy design" that "puts the tachometer appropriately dead ahead on the instrument panel" and the fact that the "control layout is logical," they also note "the audio and climate systems are governed by too many undersized, look-alike buttons." Cars.com agrees, saying that "the radio button layout isn't the best, and the sun visors are tiny." Overall, however, Kelley Blue Book deems the cabin "well-finished." Many reviewers also love the interior styling, which Kelley Blue Book says features "easy-to-scan gauges—with black faces on the base Cayman and satin-aluminum dials on the Cayman S," along with "well positioned main controls and supportive bucket seats." Edmunds loves the gauges too, finding them to be "large and easy to read."

Conclusion

The 2009 Porsche Cayman is one good-looking vehicle inside and out.

STYLING | 10 out of 10Expert Quotes:unmistakably a PorscheKelley Blue Bookthe going-away view is arguably the sexiest perspective in the current Porsche lineupCar and Driverracy design puts the tachometer appropriately dead aheadConsumerGuide The 2009 "second generation" Porsche Cayman offers superb styling, period. Editors at TheCarConnection.com find that a few new touches are all it takes to keep this vehicle looking good. Cars.com reviewers observe that the 2009 Porsche Cayman "has pronounced front fenders finished with elliptical headlights and a low hood," and while similar to the Boxster up front, "the Cayman S' appearance veers away from the Boxster's the farther back you go." Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com unanimously approve of the styling, which Kelley Blue Book says makes the Cayman "unmistakably a Porsche, displaying numerous classic styling cues not only from the 911 but from a host of the marque's previous street and competition cars." Car and Driver raves about the rear styling of the Cayman, contending Porsche's "going-away view is arguably the sexiest perspective." New touches for 2009 include redesigned front and rear panels and larger halogen headlights. Integrated direction indicators and new LED rear lights add extra sass to the exterior. The 2009 Porsche Cayman comes in two major trims, base and S. Edmunds reviewers remark that "also available for the 2009 Cayman S is the Porsche Design Edition 1," which "has added design features such as black paint with matte black stripes, 19-inch wheels, a chrome-plated sports tailpipe and a custom interior color scheme." Kelley Blue Book says that "a key visual differentiator between the two models is that the Cayman S wears 18-inch wheels fitted with lower-profile tires than those that wrap the 17-inch rims on a base Cayman," and they find that "the top-line variant also has a subtle black front spoiler lip" and "a large single oval exhaust." The praise for the styling of the Porsche Cayman is not limited to the exterior. Although ConsumerGuide approves of the "racy design" that "puts the tachometer appropriately dead ahead on the instrument panel" and the fact that the "control layout is logical," they also note "the audio and climate systems are governed by too many undersized, look-alike buttons." Cars.com agrees, saying that "the radio button layout isn't the best, and the sun visors are tiny." Overall, however, Kelley Blue Book deems the cabin "well-finished." Many reviewers also love the interior styling, which Kelley Blue Book says features "easy-to-scan gauges—with black faces on the base Cayman and satin-aluminum dials on the Cayman S," along with "well positioned main controls and supportive bucket seats." Edmunds loves the gauges too, finding them to be "large and easy to read." ConclusionThe 2009 Porsche Cayman is one good-looking vehicle inside and out. 2009 PORSCHE CAYMAN STYLING | [10 out of 10] Kelley Blue Book: "unmistakably a Porsche " Car and Driver: "the going-away view is arguably the sexiest perspective in the current Porsche lineup" ConsumerGuide: "racy design puts the tachometer appropriately dead ahead" The 2009 ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

For those looking for something even more exclusive and extreme in performance without breaking the bank too much, the Lotus Elise is a possibility. The lightweight Elise has a little 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, yet it can reach 60 mph faster than the Cayman. Don't plan on a lot of comfort, though; the ride is hard, the interior is loud, and appointments are basic. You'll also be one of the lowest vehicles on the road. Now that the Cayman’s former rival, the BMW M Coupe, has been discontinued, its closest competitor is likely the new Audi TTS; like the Cayman, it’s a balanced sports car that’s very engaging. But between the two, the Cayman still offers a more comprehensive tactile experience—and more of a classic sports car feel. The latest version of Nissan’s Z sports car is another alternative for those who really want to watch their budget. For those who’d really rather have a V-8—with immense power for the straights—the Chevy Corvette is another great alternative.

Next Steps:

Get a free price quote

for the 2009 Porsche Cayman from a dealer near you

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2009 Porsche Cayman

Check Financing Rates

for the 2009 Porsche Cayman

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2009 Porsche Cayman near you

See the Porsche Cayman in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005

Comments (0 total)

Be the first to post a comment

Post a comment

Post anonymously, or
(Required)
(Required - will not be published, sold or shared)
(Optional - your 'posted by' name will link to the URL)

Remember Me?

I have read TheCarConnection.com's privacy policy