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

Yangwang’s U9X breaks the 500km/h barrier, but SSC’s record still stands
Yangwang U9 Xtreme
News

Yangwang’s U9X breaks the 500km/h barrier, but SSC’s record still stands

The Yangwang U9 Xtreme is now the world’s first car to go faster than 500km/h, though not over a two-way run average
6 Nov 2026
Renault Mégane RS (Mk4, 2018-2022) review – the flawed but underrated Civic Type R rival
Renault Mégane RS
In-depth reviews

Renault Mégane RS (Mk4, 2018-2022) review – the flawed but underrated Civic Type R rival

The difficult fourth-generation Renault Sport Mégane had its moments of genius, even if they weren’t as profound as its unbeatable predecessors
5 Nov 2026
Renault 5 Turbo 3E: Why the French firm is confident about its £140k hatchback
Renault 5 Turbo 3E
News

Renault 5 Turbo 3E: Why the French firm is confident about its £140k hatchback

£140k for a Renault 5 is a huge ask. Here’s why the firm is confident in its unconventional supercar’s appeal and purpose
4 Nov 2026