2012 Porsche Cayman — Full Specifications
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Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2012 Porsche Cayman is a coupe offered with 2 engines (2.9L 6-cyl, 3.4L 6-cyl). Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 28 mpg (UK) / 23 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 26–28 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Porsche Cayman workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2011 Porsche Cayman: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 28 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged.
Full Specifications
| Engine (most efficient) | 2.9L 6-cyl |
|---|---|
| Engine options | 2.9L 6-cyl · 3.4L 6-cyl |
| Transmission (most efficient) | Automatic 7-spd |
| Fuel Type | Premium Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | Coupe |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 28 combined / 24 urban / 35 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 23 combined / 20 city / 29 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 240 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,550 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 4 configurations for the 2012 Porsche Cayman across 2 engines (2.9L 6-cyl, 3.4L 6-cyl). Combined fuel economy ranges from 22 to 23 mpg (US), or 26 to 28 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.9L 6-cyl | Automatic 7-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 28 | 23 (20/29) | 240 | $3,550 |
| 2.9L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 26 | 22 (19/26) | 251 | $3,750 |
| 3.4L 6-cyl | Automatic 7-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 28 | 23 (20/29) | 240 | $3,550 |
| 3.4L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 26 | 22 (19/26) | 251 | $3,750 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2012 Porsche Cayman
Running Costs: 2012 Porsche Cayman
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2012 Porsche Cayman at 28 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,299 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $3,550 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2012 Porsche Cayman Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
No NHTSA crash-test rating is on record for this model year. The NHTSA rates only a subset of vehicles each year; you can browse every rated vehicle on our NHTSA Safety Ratings hub.
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall campaign that include the 2012 Porsche Cayman (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Seat belts (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Seat belts — campaign 11V409000, reported 5 August 2011. Risk: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE SEAT BELT MAY NOT BE ROUTED OPTIMALLY AROUND THE OCCUPANT, OR MAY POTENTIALLY LOOSEN AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY DURING A CRASH.
Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Porsche Cayman. The most-reported areas are Engine (2), Unspecified (1).
Used-buyer checklist for the 2012 Porsche Cayman
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Seat belts (1 recall campaign) — Check every belt latches and retracts properly and that any restraint recalls were completed.
- Engine (2 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Porsche Cayman compare to similar coupes? For context, coupes in our database average around 25 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 28 mpg figure is 3 mpg better than that average. Its 240 g/km CO₂ figure is 38 g/km lower than the 278 g/km average for coupes on this site. This comparison is based on 1072 coupes in our dataset.
Porsche models in our database average about 26 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2012 Porsche Cayman's 28 mpg is 2 mpg above that make average. Its 240 g/km CO₂ figure is 14 g/km lower than the 254 g/km Porsche average.
Of the 10 Porsche Cayman model years we cover, the 2012 ranks 9th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (28 mpg UK combined, against a high of 30 mpg). See every Porsche Cayman year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2012 Porsche Cayman
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2012 Porsche Cayman have?
EPA lists 2 engines for the 2012 Porsche Cayman: 2.9L 6-cyl, 3.4L 6-cyl. The most fuel-efficient configuration pairs the 2.9L 6-cyl with a automatic 7-spd.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Porsche Cayman?
The most efficient configuration returns around 28 mpg (UK) combined, or 23 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 26 to 28 mpg.
How much does the 2012 Porsche Cayman cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $3,550 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2012 Porsche Cayman have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall campaign that include the 2012 Porsche Cayman (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Seat belts (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2012 Porsche Cayman?
Among the 2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Engine (2 complaints), Unspecified (1 complaint). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Porsche Cayman's fuel economy good for a coupe?
Yes — it returns around 28 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 25 mpg among the coupes we track, making it one of the more efficient options in its class.