Cars 2 was Pixar's first feature sequel outside the Toy Story series.
Released in 2011, Cars 2 followed the original Cars from 2006 and expanded the setting from Radiator Springs to a worldwide spy adventure. Lightning McQueen competes in the World Grand Prix while Mater becomes involved in an international espionage plot involving Allinol and Miles Axlerod.
Before Cars 2, Pixar had made Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3 as sequels to Toy Story. Therefore, the wording matters: Cars 2 was the studio's first sequel to a Pixar feature other than Toy Story. Pixar later released additional non-Toy Story sequels, including Monsters University and Finding Dory.
Cars 3 arrived in 2017 and continued McQueen's story in a more traditional racing drama. The two Cars sequels differ notably in genre and scope: Cars 2 emphasizes spy-film conventions, while Cars 3 focuses on aging, competition, mentorship, and the future of racing.