4 Series vs 718 Cayman
Choosing between BMW and Porsche often comes down to a specific pair of products. In the sports car class, that pair is the 4 Series and the 718 Cayman. On the overall scorecard, the 4 Series is ahead: 3 of 4 areas, with fuel economy & range doing the heavy lifting.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance 718 Cayman wins
- Fuel Economy & Range 4 Series wins
- Space & Practicality 4 Series wins
- Off-road & Towing 4 Series wins
- Engine & Performance2.1
- Fuel Economy & Range7.2
- 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 4 Series has room for 4 seats
Not a close call. The 4 Series lists 4 seats and the 718 Cayman lists 2 seats. That’s a substantial gap. The 4 Series has room for more passengers, useful for growing families and carpools.
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The 4 Series has better fuel economy
Among all the differences on this page, 31 mpg against 22 mpg is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the 4 Series. 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 4 Series gives up a lot on total system output: 255 hp, compared with 300 hp on the 718 Cayman. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
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The 4 Series has better highway fuel economy
Few buyers will miss this one. The 4 Series brings 36 mpg to the table; the 718 Cayman brings 25 mpg. The 4 Series uses less fuel on the highway, a real saving on road trips and long commutes.
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The 4 Series has better city fuel economy
When it comes to fuel economy (city), the 4 Series wins comfortably with 28 mpg against 20 mpg. In town, driving style has a big effect, but the 4 Series starts from a better baseline.
Design & Size
Engine & Performance
718 Cayman leads
The 4 Series has a tough time in the engine & performance section, where the 718 Cayman pulls well ahead. The 718 Cayman answers with 45 hp more power. The 718 Cayman’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed. The 4 Series brings 15 lb-ft more torque. So if engine & performance tops your list, lean toward the 718 Cayman.
Total system output
4 Series: 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
4 Series: 295 lb-ft 718 Cayman: 280 lb-ft Electrified powertrains deliver torque instantly, so compare torque figures alongside the powertrain type.
Fuel Economy & Range
4 Series leads
No contest in fuel economy & range: the 4 Series is the stronger of the two. The 4 Series delivers better fuel economy. Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold. If fuel economy & range is your priority, the 4 Series is the car to pick.
Fuel economy (combined)
4 Series: 31 mpg 718 Cayman: 22 mpg The 4 Series uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot.
Fuel economy (highway)
4 Series: 36 mpg 718 Cayman: 25 mpg Highway fuel economy matters if you cover long distances at steady speeds.
Space & Practicality
4 Series leads
On space & practicality, the gap between these two is wide, and it favors the 4 Series. The 4 Series pulls ahead with room for 4 seats. Extra seats mean you can take more people along without taking a second car. Prioritize space & practicality, and the 4 Series is where you should land.
Seats
4 Series: 4 seats 718 Cayman: 2 seats Third-row seats are often best for kids, so check legroom figures if adults will sit there.
Off-road & Towing
4 Series leads
The off-road & towing numbers lean toward the 4 Series, not dramatically but consistently. The 4 Series scores with available all-wheel drive. Available all-wheel drive improves traction in rain, snow and on loose surfaces. The takeaway: on off-road & towing, the 4 Series is the stronger car.
AWD / 4WD available
4 Series: 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
This area doesn’t reduce to a single number. The table shows the safety & tech details for both, so you can judge what matters to you.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | 4 Series | 718 Cayman |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas (48V mild hybrid) | 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 | 4 Series | 718 Cayman |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 31 mpg (winner) | 22 mpg |
| Fuel economy (city) | 28 mpg (winner) | 20 mpg |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 36 mpg (winner) | 25 mpg |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | 4 Series | 718 Cayman |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 seats (winner) | 2 seats |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | 4 Series | 718 Cayman |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes (winner) | No |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | 4 Series | 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 4 Series if…
- you need more seats (4 seats vs 2 seats)
- you want better combined fuel economy (31 mpg vs 22 mpg)
- you want better highway fuel economy (36 mpg vs 25 mpg)
- you mostly drive in town (28 mpg vs 20 mpg in the city)
Choose the 718 Cayman if…
- you want more power (300 hp vs 255 hp)
- you prefer staying with Porsche
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the 4 Series or the 718 Cayman?
For most people, the 4 Series is the stronger choice, unless you know that 45 hp more power would make a real difference in your routine.
Executive Summary
If you’ve narrowed it down to the 4 Series and the 718 Cayman, you’ve already done the hard part. Let me help with the rest. The biggest reason I lean toward the 4 Series is simple: it has room for 4 seats. Stack better fuel economy on top of that, and the 4 Series’s lead grows. Credit where it’s due: the 718 Cayman offers 45 hp more power.
If your days lean on fuel economy & range, I’d pick the 4 Series; if they lean on engine & performance, the 718 Cayman.
My pick: I think most people will be happier with the 4 Series, unless you’d rather have 45 hp more power on the 718 Cayman.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.