Skip advert
Advertisement

Porsche Cayman (2012-2016) review - MPG and running costs

Everything you could ever want from a sports car

Evo rating
RRP
from £39,694
  • Too good to be regarded as 911’s budget alternative
  • Styling still jars from some angles; fantastic GT4 sold out far too quickly

MPG and running costs

As well as the weight loss, fuel economy benefits from improved operating efficicency, including better thermal management and a stop/start system, which is linked to either the standard six-speed manual (with heel-and-toe auto rev-match technology) or optional seven-speed PDK paddleshift gearbox.

The latter boasts the best efficiency, with a claimed 36.7mpg and 180g/km of CO2 emissions for the PDK-equipped 2.7. A similarly equipped Cayman S enjoys a CO2 rating of just 188g/km. Not bad at all for a 174mph sports car. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Much of the PDK’s advantage is down to its very long seventh gear and further reflected by the extra urban fuel figure: 45.6mpg compared to the manual car's 40.9. In fact, a PDK-equipped Cayman S is more economical than a manual Cayman 2.7. For some context, BMW’s M135i trails the Cayman S by 19bhp yet returns worse fuel economy and emissions.

Taking insurance, residual values, servicing and VED taxation into consideration, the Cayman still looks the pick of the sportscar bunch when it comes to overall running costs.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

This secret British sports car is a £5m gamble, inspired by Lotus and with Ferrari looks
Wells Vertige
Features

This secret British sports car is a £5m gamble, inspired by Lotus and with Ferrari looks

Robin Wells fancied a new sports car so decided to build his own. The result is the Wells Vertige, and now you can have one too
28 Apr 2026
Porsche ditches Bugatti as tensions with Mate Rimac come to a head
Bugatti Tourbillon – side
News

Porsche ditches Bugatti as tensions with Mate Rimac come to a head

Mate Rimac joins forces with investment firm to take full control of hypercar company
24 Apr 2026
Toyota GR86 (2022 - 2024) review – an affordable sports car that’s more fun than supercars
Toyota GR86 front track
In-depth reviews

Toyota GR86 (2022 - 2024) review – an affordable sports car that’s more fun than supercars

The GR86 delivered thrills beyond the reach of its iconic predecessor – if you managed to get hold of one...
27 Apr 2026