Compare the2023 BMW 2 SeriesVS 2023 Porsche 718 Cayman

The 2 Series has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The 2 Series offers optional Active Park Distance Control that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The 2 Series offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The 2 Series’ lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The 2 Series M240i offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The 718 Cayman only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The 2 Series 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 and moves the vehicle back into its lane. 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 2 Series’ standard Cross Traffic Warning 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 2 Series’ 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 2 Series and the 718 Cayman have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee 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.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 2 Series for 2 years and 26000 miles longer than Porsche pays for maintenance for the 718 Cayman (3/36,000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are over 80 percent more BMW dealers than there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 2 Series’ warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the 2 Series has a standard 170-amp alternator (210-amp - 2 Series 6 cyl.). The 718 Cayman’s 120-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 2 Series first among small premium cars in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The 718 Cayman isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Porsche vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 35 more problems per 100 vehicles, Porsche is rated below average.

The 2 Series has more powerful engines than the 718 Cayman:

As tested in Car and Driver the M240i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder is faster than the Porsche 718 Cayman turbo 4 cyl. (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the 2 Series gets better mileage than the 718 Cayman:

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW 2 Series higher (3 to 5 out of 10) than the Porsche 718 Cayman (1 to 5). This means the 2 Series produces up to 39 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the 718 Cayman every 15,000 miles.

The BMW 2 Series comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the 718 Cayman.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW 2 Series, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the 718 Cayman.

All wheel drive, available in the 2 Series, provides the best traction for acceleration in wet, dry, and icy conditions. In corners, all wheel drive allows both outside wheels to provide power, balancing the car. This allows for better handling. The Porsche 718 Cayman is not available with all wheel drive.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the 2 Series can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 2 Series’ wheelbase is 10.5 inches longer than on the 718 Cayman (107.9 inches vs. 97.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 2 Series is 2.2 inches wider in the front and 2.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the 718 Cayman.

The 2 Series’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (51.6% to 48.4%) than the 718 Cayman’s (44.7% to 55.3%). This gives the 2 Series more stable handling and braking.

The design of the BMW 2 Series amounts to more than styling. The 2 Series offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .28 to .3 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is lower than the 718 Cayman (.3 to .34). A more efficient exterior helps the 2 Series go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the 2 Series get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the 2 Series uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the M240i Coupe xDrive is quieter than the 718 Cayman GT4 RS:

The 2 Series has standard seating for 4 passengers; the 718 Cayman can only carry 2.

The 2 Series has 40 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 718 Cayman (88 vs. 48).

With its coupe body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the 2 Series offers cargo security. The 718 Cayman’s hatchback body style and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

The 2 Series offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The 2 Series offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

If the front windows are left open on the 2 Series w/Comfort Access the driver can close them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower 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 2 Series’ 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 quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW 2 Series offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The 2 Series M240i’s optional Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Insurance will cost less for the 2 Series owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the 2 Series will cost $1945 less than the 718 Cayman over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the BMW 2 Series will be $16288 to $55620 less than for the Porsche 718 Cayman.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW 2 Series, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The BMW 2 Series outsold the Porsche 718 by almost five to one during 2022.