Mercedes A45S vs Porsche Cayman T: The £50,000 Question | 4K

Rory puts the Mercedes-AMG A45S up against the Porsche Cayman T to find out which car he'd rather spend £50,000 on. The Porsche 718 offers beautiful looks and brilliant handling, but can that outweigh the power and practicality of the A45S?
Looking for your next car? Auto Trader will help make finding your next vehicle easier than ever. Compare expert car reviews and recommendations, and find your perfect car through our official KZbin channel
Check back for the latest new car reviews on everything from SUVs to supercars, plus
✅ the latest car news
✅ top tips and car advice
✅ used and new car guides
✅ best-ofs
Subscribe for more from Auto Trader UK: bit.ly/1AqiIny
Want to be the first to see our new videos? Enable notifications
Looking for more inspiration? 🚗
• Auto Trader: www.autotrader.co.uk
• Facebook: / autotraderuk
• Twitter: / autotrader_uk
• Instagram: / autotraderuk
• Pinterest: www.pinterest.co.uk/autotrade...

[@AutoTraderTV]

So, £50k appears in your bank account. Which do you choose?

[@blackriver6952]

A45 AMG

[@atakansulooca]

Cayman

[@westenbrugge20]

AMG

[@ChopperPBM]

Tesla M3P :)

[@kjusn]

can I pick RS3?

[@DonLee1980]

if you were buying a 2nd car, then the Porsche. If you were buying the ONLY car, the Mercedes handsdown of course.

[@richardbrayshaw570]

Good answer!

[@smiler921]

Porsche could easily be an only car for me 👍🏻

[@lordfloppa5863]

a Bliss impractical if you have to take people with you

[@lordfloppa5863]

Young Fire Old Flame I know we do to but I responded to a comment that said he’d take the 718 as his only car

[@richacoll1]

Mercedes servicing in Australia is abysmal

[@siriusc9564]

I must say, this brother here is an amazing journalist

[@livelyosprey]

For me, hot hatches are hot because you get decent performance from a car that genuinely affordable. If you’re spending £50k there’s no was I’m buying an A class

[@nicksinclair1291]

They've moved on past this now though. That;'s what they used to be for. Not anymore IMO.

[@richboy900]

Just get a golf r and spend the rest on mods. You'd still have change from the price of an a45s if you're targeting similar performance

[@danhall5761]

LivelyOsprey A class has a nicer interior than almost any car on the market? What are you expecting.

[@astronmr20]

@@richboy900 True. Or just get the GTI and throw all the APR bits on it.

[@autumnleaf2976]

@@danhall5761 say the same thing after 5 years. You'll be tempted to punch those screens by that time.

[@michaelyhchai]

thanks for actually picking a car rory, countless times car journos always say they cant decide and theyd have both.

[@PhilbyFavourites]

As a GLA45 owner it’s the AMG every time. I’ve just come back from a trip to the dump which is a staple of UK life and even more so in our current torrid times. 375 bhp and the ability to carry the detritus of life who wouldn’t want it. The Porsche says Richard Hammond (shouty small man - but still quite a decent chap) and that’s it. It’s not the sort of nobby look I want I have to say. With the 45 you can bumble around bored in town with it locked in Comfort and then when the opportunity arises you can turn it a click to Sport (maybe two clicks to Sport+) and for about ten seconds you can let all hell break loose. Any longer and you’re breaching the speeds that not only lose your licence but get you locked up. I don’t want to get locked up because by mid-April we’ll all be locked down and your Porsche will be absolutely shit for carrying stock from the supermarkets on the day when your surname letter allows you to shop for just an hour (said Nostradamus....). And you’re being howled at by your significant other for buying such an impractical car in these precarious times.... So buy the 45, it’s Colin Mcrae’s Impreza - but in a very well made suit. The Porsche is for an Estate Agent who’s just made it to Area Manager (other dodgy employment possibilities are available). Of course if you need a fleet of cars then the Porsche is but one in your armoury. But as an individual who has owned far more motorbikes than cars you can truly only drive/ride one vehicle at a time. And age and experience tells me that well appointed all rounders are the way ahead. Next stop RS4 anyone?

[@AutoTraderTV]

:D -Rory

[@marvistv6551]

Brilliant, you should start reviewing things.

[@DanLMH]

GLA god some people have horrible taste...🤮

[@Kr0nicridah]

You drive a GLA45. Your opinion is irrelevant.

[@peterpoppe4855]

Well Phil B, I have a 718 Boxster and am buying my weekly stuf at the supermarkets for a family of 4. And guess what : it is a practical car. There is space enough to do your shopping, and no, I do not put things on the passenger seat. So before you write any comments, do check them first.

[@Jackisaboss1208]

I’ve spent a lot of time behind the wheel of a 2014 Cayman S. That flat six on song is gorgeous and the handling is literally telepathic. I can’t imagine a much purer drivers car

[@yusufkajee7274]

Mercedes if you are watching please make a two door coupe sports car to rival the Cayman and m2 comp. Like a baby amg gtc

[@davedavidson5166]

You’re asking for an SLK

[@yusufkajee7274]

@@davedavidson5166 I want it to be a car designed from the ground up to be an amg not a normal Mercedes with Amy tuning. Like the gt and gt63s are all amg cars

[@roarbahamut9866]

@@yusufkajee7274 C63s coupe would be the fit I guess.

[@yusufkajee7274]

@@roarbahamut9866 it's close but it's still more expensive and not exactly what I have in mind, I want a low ,purpose built and amg only sports car

[@andregoncalves5200]

@@yusufkajee7274 So you want an AMG engineered SLC?

[@koreanfriedchildren]

Rory you're my fav auto journalist, thx for the great commentary and reviews

[@autumnleaf2976]

Rory is a fine journalist but is this the only motoring channel you follow?

[@tafaragadze6432]

Phrasing Rory... "the box is soo tight" 😂😂😂

[@supersanex_x]

If you actually prefer to buy the AMG rather than the cayman then like the comment.

[@blackriver6952]

yessir

[@PhilbyFavourites]

Rubedo Alaberti: GLA 45 old chap. Would be your perfect replacement.

[@unknownunknowns]

Rubedo Alaberti Then that would be $100K, and not everyone has the kind of money. One or the other, unfortunately.

[@karaklabs]

Lovely videos, thanks a lot for doing what you do mate

[@atascatorDAOC]

Do you hear that? Its the sound of disappointment... OMFG so savage and so true!! Props to you man for speaking out loud the truth.

[@bamabaso]

This was an absolutely brilliant review wow! Had me so into it like a movie. And I like that you remain so unbiased. It's honestly refreshing!

[@igorsalema3623]

The A45s PERIOD. It's more car than the Porsche! Definitely love it. Great Vid tho. Congrats

[@martinallenuk]

I'm guessing Mercedes has only just received its first copy of Max Power.

[@gamerscockpit]

The box is so tight, and the through is short, it makes you feel like an absolute hero any time you have to stir it...............WOW sign me up I will take one of these puppies!

[@lucasslavin348]

Watching this video after the GLA45 review. Now it’s clear why Rory is so attached to Drift Mode - this whole video is just him sliding it around!!! Great content, love this channel!!

[@irGuilty]

Great review, keep it up 👍

[@pablodiaz79]

Not sure what is the point of a 400HP hatchback... Just get better tires for the Cayman.

[@mizanulkarim7648]

Gets 50k...... Buy's a 2018 M5 😎

[@rajakhan12346]

👌

[@unknownunknowns]

Just hope you get a non-broken one...

[@markmahood2019]

@@unknownunknowns will still be within warranty in the UK anyway.

[@autumnleaf2976]

Reasonable choice.

[@ronnymashaba1189]

🤣🤣👊

[@luismalaquias70]

Rory, thanks for keeping uploading videos on this difficult times of the coronavirus. Stay safe so we can have more of your reviews later on the future.

[@arjun._.bbC6]

My heart says A45 'cause 'four door fun, but daaaaamn my soul is yearning for that pretty blue Cayman!

[@cherrycola608]

I 'm a "no replacement for displacement" kinda guy, but this new 2L 4 pot engine by AMG is really something!

[@SamirChopra.]

Amazing job. You’re such a good vlogger. You should be running your own channel. You will kick butt.

[@nitishbshetty2136]

New video from Matt Watson will have to wait. Rory you're a legend!!🙏

[@paouvous]

I am subscribed just because of this review. And the Porsche tyre remark for the wet sounds so spot on, and so something you do not hear from other sources.

[@AllanPalmes]

As a CLA45 (original) owner -- the reasons why I didn't go with this iteration is the exhaust note (OPF filter they were forced to put in with this generation) and the lack of S version coming to US.

[@thecarbandits7834]

Very good video and not what I expected, that's what good comparos are all about. Thought the Cayman would beat the A45 amg but now I would prefer the Merc.

[@neilgaydon5430]

Rory, you are in the ‘go to’ handful of car journalists that succinctly give us what we want - the good bad and ugly with proper industry data and knowledge while making it fun and well produced. I’m now a subscriber.

[@AutoTraderTV]

👏🏾 Thanks! -RR

[@dieselstar5]

Great review!

[@nathanbull7790]

Got to love throwing in with a tight box! 🙃 I've always been a bmw kind of lad, but with the new 1 series..... Mercedes is king in the hot hatch game, what a minter.

[@vasipete]

One of the best car review and comparisons i've seen! Well done my friend, too bad I dont have even half of 50k haha

[@Nemanjap995]

The production value of this channel is outstanding!

[@rohandixon2684]

Excellent review

[@petemorbius3936]

good review!

[@teletubbypo318]

I was in the market for an upgrade to my very first car which my parents bought me for my 18th birthday (a seat Ibiza) and last year when I turned 25 I wanted an upgrade and was willing to spend £50-£100k. Not once did an a class cross my mind.

[@christopherward5065]

Great presentation Rory!

[@l_bonza7555]

Stunning filming.

[@mister_ray]

In the USA, the 718 comes with the Pilot Sport 4 tires. I would have both cars.

[@jinxtacy]

Great job by the presenter. Only complaint with the Cayman is the gear ratios could be tightened up. I think if I was buy a one and only car Merc. As someone who drives a sports car daily, I eyeball even GTIs with a bit of envy.

[@nippertipper7686]

"Can I have 50k to buy a new sports car?" *gets 50k* ACTUALLY BUYS USED SHITBOX LAMBORGHINI LIKE A BOSS

[@naveenbattula]

Or get a c8

[@richboy900]

Ariel atom and a tent 😂

[@Henry_Jr_Watsson]

@voice of reason Or buy a Tesla and have fun racing the latest 300k+ Euro Lambo's and Ferrari's. You'd be able to keep up with ease and usually even beat em! hahaha! Also, no stupid money burning due to Tax. Well, that's what a sensible buyer would do. Even a base model 3 is heaps of fun. Get one new, put some nice wheels under it and enjoy. Or spend a bit more for the LR or even the Performance as both are factory lowered + have nicer rims + more performance.

[@TermlessHGW]

....and be broke after first mechanic visit 👍

[@naveenbattula]

@@Henry_Jr_Watsson you are suggesting a dude who's wants a silencer delete to buy a tesla ?

[@DriverGuy23]

This basically comes down to what type of car you want to drive. Do you want a fast front-engined hatchback with lots of seats or a fast 2-seater mid-engined sports car? Either one is a good choice depending on your lifestyle or if this is a extra car. But, other than price, I don’t think these cars are not in the same buyers market.

[@nidalonso8692]

Im loving this channel

[@bensherman1977]

AMG 45s - but I'd have to take the coupé CLA for a couple of grand more. Just looks far classier than the hatch - especially in the matt grey.

[@koenigsegg1237456789]

Rory along with catchpole and a few others are gems amongst car journos

[@xtremehunta]

3:04, he knew what he was doing XD

[@WarriorsPhoto]

AMG for me. I don’t believe we get it here in the USA though. :(

[@dom_99_]

You don’t get the hatchback but you do get the new sedan version I think

[@Scala598]

You rightly point out the performance difference in rubber between the Michelin and pirelli here but failed to mention it on the a35 v a45 test? The a35 was also hampered by the pirelli tyres

[@AutoTraderTV]

Good point. The A35 makes its tyres work really well, also AWD traction meant it felt almost completely glued down, so I don't think the tyre was a huge factor on that car. Interestingly, I can definitely corner faster in the A35 than in the Cayman T. -Rory

[@monrowetoussaint8438]

It would be FANTASTIC to see you do a review of the Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 and the Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400.

[@wailfaridi2070]

The A Class doesn't push sound throught the speakers. They channel the actual exhaust sound of the actual engine into the cabin.

[@LegatoStudios]

You know... I would take the Mercedes. I feel weird saying that but it's true.

[@politendjarakana8756]

Wow didn’t see this coming 🔥😁🔥

[@MotorsportbyMario]

This video was great. Well done Rory

[@oscardominguez1680]

Bravo!

[@robertosanchez4021]

track times on dry surfaces?

[@TobiasHenreich]

I'd get a 981 Cayman GTS

[@jochem1986]

I’d get a 987 Cayman S and keep €50000 in the bank

[@jacejai]

In Australia, the A45s is circa A$92k whereas the Cayman is around A$120k (both before on-roads/taxes). The question for me is whether the Cayman is worth 33% more, and in this comparison, it doesn't sound like it.

[@pmr01]

Glad to see Rory doing something good as usual.

[@nathandepasquale9571]

Enjoyed this vid, but why no timed lap and/or drag/rolling race pls?🤔

[@AutoTraderTV]

The weather was really against us, maybe another time!

[@CroneRaven1810]

Cayman GTS 4.0 naturally aspirated flat six and manual gearbox. Boom

[@nathenian5202]

Same track Car Throttle use?

[@HaultRxst]

And by the way engine sound is pumped in but it's from a microphone from the engine

[@unknownunknowns]

So in the US, it would be $58K. I wish we would have this A-Class hatchback but we’ll have to live with sedan version. I just hope MB can bring in the A45S, the sedan version, at least.

[@Buczy88]

This man came with a banger of reviews out of nowhere and I absolutelly love it

[@bickydutta6084]

AMG anyday

[@aysbg]

Never been a fan of the Merc but AMG does know how to make a good sounding engine with massive amounts of hp/torque.

[@TheRaceMonkey]

2:06 you are trying to find the paddle shifter to shift down.

[@CarlosFernandez-hj8lr]

good job AMG, I would take the CLA45 tho, cannot wait for it to come to America

[@szopaful]

These are cars for wildly different people.

[@unknownunknowns]

But the point is that you may get 70 percent of the performance but you can have extra passengers for the same price. How often does anyone buy a car and take on the track everyday?

[@metalMARCUS1]

Stefan Unson Porsche looks so much better

[@LoochMindReader]

Rorys a proper car reviewer 👏🏼

[@tytusmajewski7092]

i would buy the cayman because the amg is still not cheap as a daily and i would just drive a 2k$ kia picanto to work and the cayman at free time

[@sambaresi67]

so much better now Rory is presenting

[@JB47000]

Out of these two cars I would take the merc. However I would rather splash a bit more cash and get the new cayman gts or even the gt4.

[@user-wr5od7my4l]

Aye…my boy said splash a bit more cash!! I like that, I’m stealing that lol

[@mountainman6172]

Cayman T is like AUDI a3 of Porsche loool... I agree, it's definitely disappointing. However, Porsche, Aston Martin & McLaren never disappoints when it comes to churning the same car with slight, miniature and very subtle variants. I don't think even the C-suite within Porsche & McLaren can tell the difference(s) between their flagship models; even if their job depended on it. Another 1 for Rory!

[@Kr0nicridah]

M Man Just because you have difficulty telling them apart doesn’t mean that C-suites do. They’re in their position for a reason.

[@mountainman6172]

@@Kr0nicridah get a grip, will ya?

[@final_mile_music9713]

You’re way off saying the T is disappointing. It’s fabulous to drive. Polite question….have you driven one? Over an extended drive?

[@NoahBB]

We needed a lap time comparison!

[@AutoTraderTV]

A45S wins. By a lot. -Rory

[@majed2488]

@@AutoTraderTV How does it compare to the S?

[@RicardoMrMendes]

Amg 45 s is perfect for curves and drag race just like gtr evox and subaru wrc

[@mindfixer4you]

Alpine A110 thanks

[@nishantpatil1247]

"sounds like a disappointment", stole the words right from my mouth

[@AlanTPT]

Audi TT RS sounds so good and about the same price?

[@thechickenman2289]

Nardo grey, mrc tuning 🔥

[@dimitarpenchev1493]

@@thechickenman2289 all day!!

[@gerardov.9716]

Audi TTRS $80,000USD but it's worth it.

[@lesibakarabo9243]

I'm dreaming of the A45 everyday. I would like to own it one day

[@brandonchism6960]

Great review and comparison. For me, it would be the A45. Partially because I lust after it since we don’t get the A45 hatch here in the States, but also the 4 cylinder Cayman at any trim level is just unappealing to me.

[@unknownunknowns]

MB should, at least, bring in the sedan version. I used to be obsessed with the Cayman but I find the Alpine A110 and the Alfa Romeo 4C more appealing. I just hope former can be brought to our shores, though I don’t mind it being called the Nissan [blank] since Alpine would not have any name recognition here in the states but it is owned by Renault which shares an alliance with Nissan.

[@brandonchism6960]

@@unknownunknowns We do have the sedan version, however the A class here doesn't have an AMG offering. The 35 & 45 variants are only on the US CLA and GLA. While I hate this, too often the American market has proven it won't buy in large enough quantities to warrant us getting the A35 and A45 like our Euro counterparts. The A110 would be cool to see in the wild here as well!

[@Darkpixel2]

For this price I'd rather go with the 981 GTS and the 6 cylinder engine, the previous gen is just as good tbh and you get 340HP vs 300 here.

[@dany1441]

I expected to see a head-to-head. It would have been interesting.

[@matt_pick]

If I had 50k I am definitely buying a second hand GT-R. But if it had to be new then yes I would get the 370 Z. (Perhaps M2 or S3)

[@willpcs3453]

Comparing 4 door hatch with more HP with 2 door sports car with less HP is info commercial bias asinine. The Macan Turbo would had been a definitely much better comparison even if the prices are different because the specifications are more similar. The possible future customers can compare if the vehicle justifying the higher price.

[@AutoTraderTV]

Macan turbo is £18,000 more. And not a hatchback. And uses a 2.9-litre V6 engine. Just as asinine 😃. What would you buy for £50000? -Rory

[@gertsnyman5287]

Why would you compare the manual with a auto??? Why would you want a Porsche without the PDK??

[@nkosiyaphathebe1461]

Rory and Matt Parsons deserve a show on the Tell...A topgear duo possibly

[@connormarsden5285]

Nkosiyapha Thebe best comment on here so far.

[@gjssjg]

Why they ever let you go from Top Gear beggars belief, then again you'd never know it, these vids are 5 🌟

[@pastorofmuppets8834]

The World is an odd place isn't it? I stopped watching Top gear after Rory left

[@Malcom2345]

Amazing how much power Mercs squeezing out of that 4 from factory

[@sheikhsameer3917]

Wonderful

[@chrisking2438]

You could get a second hand e63 amg for that price crazy

[@baherhamdi6256]

I would still prefer used m4 competition

[@rodneyscholtz8849]

I fail to understand how one compares a manual with a new autobox. Why not the PDK?

[@DS-vx3wf]

Outro music id?

[@dom_99_]

What about the M2 comp?

[@dudemastermaster8944]

The Box is so tight.

[@Four-S]

Oh cool, this is the same track that carthrottle uses.

[@fauzanmazlan33]

Cla45s vs A45s please 😁

[@michepriest]

Agree with the video about the gearbox. A manual Cayman is not a daily car if you spend a lot of time stuck in downtown traffic. I’m thinking of getting the AMG A35 since I can’t get an AMG A45 S in Canada 😬. Not sure what else is out there for me that’s a luxury hatch. I’d love any recommendations for Canadians that are small and punchy, not a crossover/SUV and not an underpowered hatch.