Compare the2024 BMW M2VS 2024 Porsche 718 Cayman

The M2 has standard Post-Crash Braking, which automatically apply 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.

The M2’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The M2 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 M2’s 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 M2’s 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 M2 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.

The BMW M2 weighs 580 to 827 pounds more than the Porsche 718 Cayman. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the M2 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 76 percent more BMW dealers than there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the M2’s warranty.

The M2’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 153 more horsepower (453 vs. 300) and 126 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 280) than the 718 Cayman’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The M2’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 103 more horsepower (453 vs. 350) and 97 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 309) than the 718 Cayman S’ standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The M2’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 59 more horsepower (453 vs. 394) and 97 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 309) than the 718 Cayman GTS 4.0’s standard 4.0 GT3 6-cylinder. The M2’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 75 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 331) than the 718 Cayman GT4 RS’ standard 4.0 DOHC 6-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the BMW M2 is faster than the Porsche 718 Cayman (manual transmissions tested):

As tested in Motor Trend the BMW M2 is faster than the Porsche 718 Cayman (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the M2 8-speed Auto gets better fuel mileage than the 718 Cayman GT4 RS (16 city/23 hwy vs. 15 city/19 hwy).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW M2 higher (5 out of 10) than the Porsche 718 Cayman (1 to 5). This means the M2 produces up to 39 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the 718 Cayman every 15,000 miles.

An eight-speed automatic is no cost option on the BMW M2, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the 718 Cayman.

For better stopping power the M2’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the 718 Cayman:

The M2 stops shorter than the 718 Cayman:

For better traction, the M2 has larger tires than the 718 Cayman (F:275/35R19 & R:285/30R20 vs. F:235/45R18 & R:265/45R18). The M2’s front tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 718 Cayman (275/35R19 vs. 245/35R20).

The M2’s 275/35R19 front and 285/30R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 718 Cayman’s standard 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the M2 has standard 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the 718 Cayman.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the M2’s wheelbase is 10.7 inches longer than on the 718 Cayman (108.1 inches vs. 97.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the M2 is 3.7 inches wider in the front and 2.8 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the 718 Cayman.

The M2’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52.1% to 47.9%) than the 718 Cayman’s (44.7% to 55.3%). This gives the M2 more stable handling and braking.

The M2 handles at 1.04 G’s, while the 718 Cayman pulls only 1.00 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The M2 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the 718 Cayman (23.2 seconds @ .89 average G’s vs. 24 seconds @ .81 average G’s).

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the M2 is quieter than the 718 Cayman GT4 RS:

The M2 has standard seating for 4 passengers; the 718 Cayman can only carry 2.

The M2 has 40 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 718 Cayman (88 vs. 48).

The M2 has .7 inches more front headroom and 4.6 inches more front shoulder room than the 718 Cayman.

With its coupe body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the M2 offers cargo security. The 718 Cayman’s hatchback body style and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

The M2 Auto 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 M2 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and tachometer 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 windows are left open on the M2 the driver can close them all 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 M2 has standard Comfort Access that allows you to unlock the doors from either outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Porsche Entry and Drive costs extra on the 718 Cayman.

The M2’s 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 M2 offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The M2’s optional Parking Assistant can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The 718 Cayman doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its July 2024 issue and the BMW M2 won out over the Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0.

The BMW 2 Series outsold the Porsche 718 by almost three to one during 2023.