Compare the2025 Nissan ZVS 2025 Porsche 718 Cayman

The Z has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Z’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The Z has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the 718 Cayman’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Z’s standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

The Z’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Z and the 718 Cayman have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

Nissan’s powertrain warranty covers the Z 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Porsche covers the 718 Cayman. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the 718 Cayman ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Nissan pays for scheduled maintenance on the Z for 1 year and 14,000 miles longer than Porsche pays for maintenance for the 718 Cayman (2/24,000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are over 5 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Z’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Z has a standard 580-amp battery. The 718 Cayman’s 340-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Porsche vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan above average in initial quality. With 6 more problems per 100 vehicles, Porsche is rated lower.

The Z has more powerful engines than the 718 Cayman:

As tested in Car and Driver the Z NISMO is faster than the Porsche 718 Cayman turbo 4 cyl. (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Z gets better mileage than the 718 Cayman:

The Z has 2.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the 718 Cayman’s standard fuel tank (16.4 vs. 14.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

A nine-speed automatic is available on the Nissan Z, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the 718 Cayman.

The Z stops shorter than the 718 Cayman:

For better traction, the Z has larger standard tires than the 718 Cayman (245/45R18 vs. 235/45R18). The Z NISMO’s front tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 718 Cayman (255/40R19 vs. 245/35R20).

The Z has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Z’s wheelbase is 3 inches longer than on the 718 Cayman (100.4 inches vs. 97.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Z is 1.6 inches wider in the front and 2.1 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the 718 Cayman.

The Z NISMO handles at 1.02 G’s, while the 718 Cayman pulls only 1.00 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Z’s turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the 718 Cayman’s (32.8 feet vs. 36.1 feet). The Z’s turning circle is 4.6 feet tighter than the 718 Cayman GT4 RS’ (32.8 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

The Z Performance/NISMO uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Z has 3.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 718 Cayman (51.4 vs. 48).

The Z has .7 inches more front legroom and 2.9 inches more front shoulder room than the 718 Cayman.

The Z Manual can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Z can be unhitched and driven around locally. The 718 Cayman can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Z’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children from operating them. Porsche does not offer a locking feature on the 718 Cayman’s standard power windows.

On a hot day the Z’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the 718 Cayman can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Z has standard Intelligent Key that allows you to unlock the doors from either outside door handle and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Porsche Entry and Drive costs extra on the 718 Cayman.

The Z’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The 718 Cayman’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Z’s LED headlights produce a white, bright light using less electricity than the 718 Cayman’s standard xenon high intensity discharge (HID) headlights. HID headlights can be slow to reach full brightness or power cycle, causing issues when flashing them to signal other vehicles; LED headlights light instantly. LED lights also last about three to four times as long.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Z has standard extendable sun visors. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Nissan Z, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Nissan Z outsold the Porsche 718 Cayman by 9% during 2024.