New BMW M2 vs Porsche Cayman GTS: interiors
These fire-breathing sports cars are the last of their kind – so, which one should you give a home to before its extinction?...
Behind the wheel
Driving position, visibility, build quality
The Porsche Cayman provides a great driving position, with the seat lining up perfectly with the steering wheel and pedals. While the relatively close spacing of the latter might be a little awkward for a driver with wider feet, it’s a minor compromise.
Things aren’t as harmonious in the BMW M2. Some might find the steering wheel is still a bit too high in its lowest setting, plus the pedals are heavily offset to the right.
We’d also avoid the optional M Carbon bucket seats (part of the £9095 M Race Track Package), because the heavy padding between your legs (designed to help hold you in place when cornering) can be obstructive when using the clutch.
The M2’s tall dashboard and high window line relative to the driver mean you don’t get as good a view out as you do in the Cayman, either forwards or when reversing. Thankfully, both cars have parking sensors as standard, while the M2 also includes a rear-view camera.
Infotainment systems
BMW M2
The M2’s infotainment system is packed with features and looks great, while its 14.9in touchscreen responds to prods quickly. Finding the function you want on the apps page can be a faff, though, and the icons could be larger to make them easier to aim for. Thankfully, there’s also a physical rotary controller that’s less distracting to use on the move. The 14-speaker sound system is louder than the Cayman’s, plus its surround sound feature makes it more immersive.
Porsche Cayman GTS
The Cayman’s system is a lot simpler than the M2’s, and locating the function you need is easier. The graphics could be sharper and the 7.0in touchscreen’s dearth of colour makes it look quite basic next to the M2’s vibrant display. Still, it’s quick to respond and there are physical rotary knobs for volume and to help you scroll through menus. The 150-watt sound system is punchy enough – which can come in handy for drowning out motorway road noise.
Space and practicality
Front space, rear space, seating flexibility, boot
The M2 is the clear winner when it comes to accommodation; it provides seats for four, whereas the Cayman can carry only the driver and a single passenger.
In the front, both cars offer plenty of head room for a 6ft-tall driver and passenger. The Cayman’s rear bulkhead prevents its seats from going quite as far back as the M2’s, but there’s still loads of leg room in both cars.
In the back of the M2, six-footers will be forced to slouch a bit, because the sloping roofline restricts head room, but leg room is generous enough, even when there’s somebody similarly tall sitting in the front.
The M2 also has a bigger boot, which can hold up to seven carry-on suitcases. The Cayman has a luggage compartment under the bonnet as well as behind the engine, but neither is particularly commodious; between them, they could swallow four suitcases.
