Cars 2 is the direct sequel to Pixar's original Cars film.
Released in 2011, Cars 2 follows Lightning McQueen as he enters the World Grand Prix, an international racing event organized by Sir Miles Axlerod. Mater becomes involved in an espionage plot after British agents mistake him for a skilled American operative. The sequel therefore expands the series from a small-town racing story into a global spy adventure.
John Lasseter directed Cars 2, with Brad Lewis serving as co-director. Owen Wilson returned as Lightning McQueen, while Larry the Cable Guy again voiced Mater. Michael Caine joined the cast as Finn McMissile, and Emily Mortimer voiced Holly Shiftwell.
Cars 3 followed in 2017 and returned more directly to the racing and mentorship themes of the first film. Planes is a separate animated film set in the broader world associated with Cars, but it is not the direct sequel. The title Cars 2 is the canonical answer because it is both the second feature and the immediate continuation.