With those round headlights accenting raised front fenders, the bubble-like greenhouse, to the wide-ass rear end, and the sweeping body lines, there’s no doubt – it’s a Porsche.

The family resemblance is more than skin deep. Like most Porsche models, the 2006 Cayman S is designed for transporting a driver and one passenger. However, like the Porsche Cayenne SUV, the Cayman S adds some utility into the mix, too. Under the hood is a small cubby that offers 5.3 cubic feet of cargo room, and under the rear hatch is room for whatever squeezes into 9.2 cubic feet of storage space. That’s a total of 14.5 cubic feet – five cubic feet more than the BMW 3 Series 330Ci, 5.4 cubic feet more than the Boxster, and 6.7 cubic feet more than the Infiniti G35 coupe.

Inside the cockpit, drivers will enjoy the tilt and telescoping steering wheel, and the power seats with memory. More restrictive but supportive sport seats are optional. There are the usual dual front airbags, but there’s also the Porsche Side Impact Protection System (POSIP) that features side airbags and head and thorax airbags. Tunes come from a standard audio system with a CD player, but can be upgraded with either the Porsche Sound System Plus or a ten-speaker Bose Surround Sound System with a subwoofer.

For driving enthusiasts, it’s a great time to be alive – 500-horsepower Mercedes-Benzes, 400-horsepower Corvettes, and now, a Porsche that straddles the difference between the Boxster and the 911. The cost of admission for the 2006 Porsche Cayman S may be higher than some of its worthy competitors, but those extra greenbacks buy a sophisticated powertrain, decent cargo space, and a boatload of airbags.

And, come on, it’s a Porsche.

Photos courtesy of Porsche