BMW i8 vs. Porsche Cayman
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW i8 and Porsche Cayman contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the BMW i8 and the Porsche Cayman.
In comparing the BMW i8's and the Porsche Cayman's specifications and ratings, the BMW i8 has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, interior volume and base engine power. The Porsche Cayman has the advantage in the area of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars. Based on this comparison of the BMW i8's and the Porsche Cayman's specifications and ratings, the BMW i8 is a better car than the Porsche Cayman.
Pricing: A used 2016 BMW i8 ranges from $45,236 to $67,473 while a used 2016 Porsche Cayman is priced between $38,649 to $122,627.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW i8’s base engine makes 357 horsepower, and the Porsche Cayman base engine makes 275 horsepower. The i8 is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 337 miles. The Cayman is rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 507 miles.This gives the BMW i8 the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Porsche Cayman the advantage in maximum range. The i8 uses electricity, gasoline, gasoline, and the Cayman uses gasoline.
Passenger Space Comparison: The BMW i8 has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, and front shoulder room. The Porsche Cayman has the advantage in the area of cargo space.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$140,700
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
$118,400
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
$96,100 - $140,700
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$52,600
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$56,828
Price Range:
$45,236 - $67,473
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
$46,267
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
$35,706 - $56,828
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
10
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
46,871
# Good or Great Deals:
0
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$76,963
Price Range:
$38,649 - $122,627
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
30
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
26,243
# Good or Great Deals:
9
BMW i8 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.1 / 10
Reliability:
6.6 / 10
Retained Value:
7.7 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Porsche Cayman Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW i8
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
7
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Porsche Cayman
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.4
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
19
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
2.4 - 35.6
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
BMW i8 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
2 out of / 20Ranking
3 out of / 28Ranking
3 out of / 20Ranking
5 out of / 8Ranking
5 out of / 8Ranking
6 out of / 20Ranking
7 out of / 28Ranking
7 out of / 28Ranking
7 out of / 20Ranking
7 out of / 8Ranking
9 out of / 20Ranking
13 out of / 28Ranking
14 out of / 20Ranking
16 out of / 28Ranking
16 out of / 20Ranking
19 out of / 28Ranking
20 out of / 28Porsche Cayman Rankings
Available Body Styles
Coupe
Available Body Styles
Coupe
Available Drivetrain Options
Plug-In Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
BMW i8 Trim Levels
Base
Porsche Cayman Trim Levels
Base, GT4, GTS, S
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
357 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
420 foot-lbs @ 3700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.103 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
275 hp @ 7400 rpm
Torque:
213 foot-lbs @ 4500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.095 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
3
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
28 / 29 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
326 / 337 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity, Gasoline, Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.7 liters
Engine Configuration:
Flat/Horizontally Opposed
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 30 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
338 / 507 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Quad Seats:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
61.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
32.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
28.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
51.5 inches
Cargo Space:
4.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
81.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
Not yet available
Front Shoulder Room:
51.5 inches
Rear Head Room:
Not yet available
Rear Leg Room:
Not yet available
Rear Shoulder Room:
Not yet available
Cargo Space:
15 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
48.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3455 lbs
Width:
87.3 inches
Height:
51.1 inches
Length:
184.9 inches
Wheelbase:
110.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.6 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2888 lbs
Width:
70.9 inches
Height:
50.9 inches
Length:
172.2 inches
Wheelbase:
97.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.3 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
20.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/45R20
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/45ZR18
Exterior Colors
Blue
Protonic Blue Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Accent
Gray
Sophisto Grey Metallic w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent / Sophisto Grey Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Accent
Silver
Ionic Silver Metallic w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent
White
Crystal White Pearl Metallic w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent / Crystal White Pearl Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Accent
Black
Not available
Brown
Not available
Gold
Not available
Red
Not available
Yellow
Not available
Exterior Colors
Blue
Dark Blue Metallic / Sapphire Blue Metallic
Gray
Agate Grey Metallic
Silver
GT Silver Metallic / Rhodium Silver Metallic
White
Carrara White Metallic / White
Black
Black / Jet Black Metallic
Brown
Mahogany Metallic
Gold
Lime Gold Metallic
Red
Carmine Red Metallic / Guards Red
Yellow
Racing Yellow
Interior Colors
Brown
Terra Exclusive Dalbergia Brown
Gray
Giga Amido / Mega Carum Spice Grey
White
Giga Ivory White
Beige
Not available
Black
Not available
Blue
Not available
Red
Not available
Interior Colors
Brown
Espresso
Gray
Agate Grey / Agate Grey/Amber Orange / Agate Grey/Lime Gold / Agate Grey/Orange Amber / Agate Grey/Pebble Grey / Platinum Grey
White
Not available
Beige
Luxor Beige
Black
Black / Black/Luxor Beige
Blue
Yachting Blue
Red
Garnet Red
