2 Series Coupe vs 718 Cayman
Brand preference aside, the 2 Series Coupe and the 718 Cayman are close competitors, both pitched at sports car buyers. Of the 4 areas we compared, the 2 Series Coupe wins 3. If one area explains the result, it’s fuel economy & range.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance 718 Cayman wins
- Fuel Economy & Range 2 Series Coupe wins
- Space & Practicality 2 Series Coupe wins
- Off-road & Towing 2 Series Coupe wins
- Engine & Performance2.1
- Fuel Economy & Range6.8
- Engine & Performance2.5
- Fuel Economy & Range2.7
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The 2 Series Coupe has room for 4 seats
At 4 seats versus 2 seats, this is a decisive lead for the 2 Series Coupe, the kind of difference you notice without looking for it. Third-row seats are often best for kids, so check legroom figures if adults will sit there.
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The 2 Series Coupe has better fuel economy
If fuel economy (combined) is one of your priorities, this settles it: the 2 Series Coupe leads clearly with 30 mpg to the 718 Cayman’s 22 mpg. Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership.
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The 718 Cayman has 45 hp more power
The numbers aren’t close. The 718 Cayman lists 300 hp for total system output, while the 2 Series Coupe lists 255 hp. The 718 Cayman’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
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The 2 Series Coupe has better highway fuel economy
A clear win for the 2 Series Coupe: 35 mpg against 25 mpg. Few specs in this matchup are as one-sided. Highway fuel economy matters if you cover long distances at steady speeds.
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The 2 Series Coupe has better city fuel economy
Here the 2 Series Coupe pulls well ahead of the 718 Cayman, with 26 mpg compared to 20 mpg. In town, driving style has a big effect, but the 2 Series Coupe starts from a better baseline.
Design & Size
Engine & Performance
718 Cayman leads
The 2 Series Coupe has a tough time in the engine & performance section, where the 718 Cayman pulls well ahead. The 718 Cayman takes this one with 45 hp more power. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board. The 2 Series Coupe makes its case with 15 lb-ft more torque. That makes the 718 Cayman the natural choice for buyers focused on engine & performance.
Total system output
2 Series Coupe: 255 hp 718 Cayman: 300 hp Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
Torque
2 Series Coupe: 295 lb-ft 718 Cayman: 280 lb-ft Electrified powertrains deliver torque instantly, so compare torque figures alongside the powertrain type.
Fuel Economy & Range
2 Series Coupe leads
In this area the 2 Series Coupe has a lead the 718 Cayman can’t close. The 2 Series Coupe wins here with better fuel economy. The 2 Series Coupe uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot. Anyone shopping mainly on fuel economy & range should start with the 2 Series Coupe.
Fuel economy (combined)
2 Series Coupe: 30 mpg 718 Cayman: 22 mpg Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold.
Fuel economy (highway)
2 Series Coupe: 35 mpg 718 Cayman: 25 mpg Speed, wind and load affect highway use a lot, but the official rating is a fair comparison point.
Space & Practicality
2 Series Coupe leads
This is one of the 2 Series Coupe’s strongest areas. On space & practicality, the 718 Cayman falls well short. On its side, the 2 Series Coupe has room for 4 seats. The 2 Series Coupe has room for more passengers, useful for growing families and carpools. For space & practicality, the 2 Series Coupe is the one to beat.
Seats
2 Series Coupe: 4 seats 718 Cayman: 2 seats Extra seats mean you can take more people along without taking a second car.
Off-road & Towing
2 Series Coupe leads
By a small margin, the 2 Series Coupe is the stronger of the two in this area. The 2 Series Coupe delivers available all-wheel drive. Available all-wheel drive improves traction in rain, snow and on loose surfaces. Bottom line for off-road & towing: the 2 Series Coupe has the edge.
AWD / 4WD available
2 Series Coupe: yes 718 Cayman: no All-wheel drive helps you get going on slippery roads, but good tires matter just as much for stopping and turning.
Safety & Tech
The safety & tech entries below are descriptive rather than numeric. Read them side by side to see where the 2 Series Coupe and the 718 Cayman part ways.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | 2 Series Coupe | 718 Cayman |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 2.0L turbo I4 | 2.0L turbo flat-4 |
| Total system output | 255 hp | 300 hp (winner) |
| Torque | 295 lb-ft (winner) | 280 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 6-speed manual (7-speed PDK optional) |
| Drivetrain | RWD (xDrive AWD available) | RWD |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | 2 Series Coupe | 718 Cayman |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 30 mpg (winner) | 22 mpg |
| Fuel economy (city) | 26 mpg (winner) | 20 mpg |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 35 mpg (winner) | 25 mpg |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | 2 Series Coupe | 718 Cayman |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 seats (winner) | 2 seats |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | 2 Series Coupe | 718 Cayman |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes (winner) | No |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | 2 Series Coupe | 718 Cayman |
|---|---|---|
| Basic warranty | 4 yr / 50,000 mi | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the 2 Series Coupe if…
- you regularly carry extra passengers (4 seats vs 2 seats)
- you want better combined fuel economy (30 mpg vs 22 mpg)
- you cover long highway distances (35 mpg vs 25 mpg on the highway)
- you want better city fuel economy (26 mpg vs 20 mpg)
Choose the 718 Cayman if…
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (300 hp vs 255 hp)
- you already use other Porsche products
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the 2 Series Coupe or the 718 Cayman?
The 2 Series Coupe wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless what you want most is 45 hp more power.
Executive Summary
BMW or Porsche? For a lot of people, the question really comes down to the 2 Series Coupe versus the 718 Cayman. The 2 Series Coupe has room for 4 seats, and for most people that’s not a small thing. Stack better fuel economy on top of that, and the 2 Series Coupe’s lead grows. The 718 Cayman isn’t without merit: 45 hp more power is a real advantage.
If you’d rather have strength in fuel economy & range, go with the 2 Series Coupe. If engine & performance is what you’d miss, go with the 718 Cayman.
My pick: the 2 Series Coupe; the one scenario where I’d reach for the 718 Cayman is if you specifically want 45 hp more power, where the 718 Cayman has the edge.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.