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2019 Audi TT vs. 2019 Porsche Cayman: Which is Best?
2019 Audi TT Porsche 718 Cayman ・ Photo by Porsche / Audi
The merits of various high performance sports cars are hotly debated by brand aficionados, and there are few devotees more fierce than Porsche and Audi fans. So we decided to take a close look at the 2018 Audi TT and the 2018 Porsche Cayman to see which one wins. We'll mostly call it on the numbers, but there's more to it than that.
That's because the soul of a sports car isn’t in the horsepower rating or even the 0-60 time. It’s in the handling and the roar of the engine, in the comfort of the seats and the way the car feels when you toss it into a corner. Take a test drive, and your heart rate will tell you whether the Audi or the Porsche is right for you.
Pricing
The base 2018 Cayman starts at $57,950, or for $70,350 you can get the upgraded Cayman S model. The top level Cayman GTS starts at $81,750. The basic Cayman or Cayman S comes with a classic 6-speed manual transmission befitting a pure sports car, but for $3,210 you can choose the 7-speed PDK twin-clutch automatic. There are two suspension packages, each around $2,000. If you like options, it’s easy to price up a Cayman over $90,000.
The 2018 Audi TT starts with the base model at $44,925, but you can also upgrade to the somewhat faster 2018 TTS starting at $53,925, or the ultimate TT RS at $65,875. Audi doesn’t have too many options, so all-in with the Dynamic Plus package and a nice interior, the TT RS still comes in at $79,625.
Photo by Audi
Trim Levels
As mentioned, the Cayman is available in the base trim or as the Cayman S or GTS. The base trim is well-equipped, with an eight-speaker sound system, sport brakes, bi-xenon headlights, touchscreen infotainment interface, automatic climate control, leather interior, and sport seats. Porsche upgrade trims are mainly concerned with performance. The Cayman S upgrades the turbocharger, while the Cayman GTS comes with a more powerful 2.5-liter engine.
The Audi TT has three trim levels, although Audi refers to them as completely separate models. You can get the base TT, the TTS, and the TT RS. Like the Porsche, the standard equipment in the different TT models is more or less the same. You’ll get nice heated leather seats, Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, and LED headlights. Model upgrades are performance-oriented, plus a few nice touches like Nappa leather in the top trim.
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Photo by Porsche
Performance
The base TT and TTS both use a 2.0-liter turbo engine. The TT is rated at 220 horsepower, while the TTS is good for 292 horsepower. TT top speed is 130 MPH and 0-60 time is 5.3 seconds, which is breathtakingly fast. The TTS can make 155 MPH and 4.6 seconds. The TT RS has a 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbo engine rated at 400 horsepower, with 0-60 time of 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 174 MPH. That’s close to exotic supercar performance, but the TT delivers that performance with stability courtesy of its quattro all-wheel-drive system.
All Cayman models are rear-wheel-drive, which requires a bit more practice to drive well but yields a pure sports car experience. Porsche has always relied on the driver to have the skills needed to control the car. The basic 718 Cayman uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine rated at 300 horsepower. Top speed is 170 MPH, and 0-60 time is 4.9 seconds The Cayman S offers 350 horsepower and 4.4 seconds to 60 MPH. The Cayman GTS offers 365 horsepower, with a 0-60 time of 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 180 MPH.
Photo by Audi
Fuel Economy
Sports cars have rarely been the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the road. That’s not why people buy them, but it should be acknowledged as a consideration. The Porsche 718 Cayman series offers 19-21 MPG city and 25-28 MPG highway depending on the transmission choice.
The Audi TT lineup offers fuel economy ratings between 19-23 MPG city, and 27-29 MPG highway. Perhaps paradoxically, the more powerful TT RS offers the best highway fuel economy. But all of the fuel economy standards will depend much more on how you choose to drive than on what car you select.
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Photo by Porsche
Transmission Selection
The Audi TT and TTS offer only a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system. The TT RS offers a 7-speed dual-clutch with quattro. The lack of a manual transmission option is disappointing, especially because prior generations of the TT made such good use of a manual.
All Cayman models are available with a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic. If you prefer to shift the Cayman yourself, it’s much more satisfying than any automatic. This is one important way Porsche maintains the classic sports car experience in the 718 Cayman.
Porsche Cayman
Photo by Porsche
Suspension Tuning
Choosing a suspension upgrade is intensely personal. The standard Porsche 718 Cayman is already a razor-sharp handling car, well-balanced from the factory. If you’re not planning to take it on a race track, there’s no reason to change that. But if you are going racing, Porsche offers two optional Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) packages with electronically controlled dampers.
Audi is again a little more practical, with fewer options. The Audi TT is a quick-steering and nimble car with the standard package, but Audi offers an S Line sport suspension for those headed to track days. The S Line suspension is standard on the TTS. The Audi TT RS offers the RS Fixed Sport suspension as part of the Dynamic Plus package if you want the ultimate race-ready suspension.
Porsche Cayman
Photo by Porsche
Brake Upgrades
The stock brakes on the Audi TT are more than capable, so the only brake option on the base TT and TTS models is red-colored calipers. The TT RS offers ceramic front brakes as part of the Dynamic Plus package. Again, an expensive upgrade like that is worthwhile only for those drivers intending to make heavy race track use of their cars.
Porsche also offers an optional ceramic composite brake package on all Cayman models. The upgraded braking package costs $7,410, and includes six-piston front calipers and four-piston rear calipers. But if you’re not screaming down the main straight of your favorite track working on your hottest lap, you don’t need to spend the extra money.
Porsche Cayman
Photo by Porsche
Dashboard Tech
All Audi TT models include Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, which is a 12.3-inch video screen instrument display that can be configured to show gauges, infotainment, rear view camera, or a 3D Google Earth view if the optional navigation system is included. There is no center dash screen. A standard sound system and a Bang & Olufsen upgrade are available. The Audi tech package is wonderful, but if you’re relying on the passenger to use the navigation system, that’s not really possible.
Porsche took a different path. Every Cayman comes with a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It’s not as flashy as the Audi screen, but it does allow the passenger to make some choices. Porsche also offers three levels of sound system including the base system as well as Bose and Burmeister upgrade options.
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Photo by Audi
Driving Experience
This is where the souls of the two contenders couldn’t be more different. The Audi TT is a controlled, sure-footed, fast experience. You just use the steering to tell the TT where to go. Traction is always available as the well-developed quattro system shifts torque among all four corners to give you the most control.
In contrast, the 718 Cayman is lighter on its feet. Experienced drivers will find the car intuitive and ready to dance around curves. The standard brakes will bring the car down to a stop in an instant. Novice performance drivers shouldn’t be afraid of the Cayman, as this is probably the best-balanced Porsche ever made, but it will take an experienced hand to get the full measure of performance out of the Cayman.
Porsche Cayman
Photo by Porsche
Verdict
By the numbers, the Porsche Cayman wins four points compared to two points for the Audi TT. However, there were also three points on which the two cars are too close to call a clear winner.
Power and handling may come down to tenths of a second on a stopwatch, but the difference lies in the experience. Do you want your sports car disciplined or spirited? When it comes to onboard technology, buyers will have to decide if they prefer the driver-oriented Virtual Cockpit of the Audi, or the more traditional touchscreen system of the Porsche.
The bottom line is that buyers who are looking for a traditional mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports car are likely to prefer the Porsche, while those who demand all-wheel-drive control will probably enjoy the Audi TT line more. There’s no wrong answer here.
Porsche Cayman
Photo by Porsche