Audi TT RS Coupé vs Porsche 718 Spyder
Compare the Audi TT RS Coupé vs Porsche 718 Spyder. The Audi TT RS Coupé is £20,000 cheaper. The Audi TT RS Coupé is 0.7s quicker to 60mph. The Audi TT RS Coupé is more fuel efficient. Full performance, cost & ownership breakdown.
The Audi TT RS Coupé is priced from £38,000, powered by a 2.5L Turbo I5, producing 394 hp, with 480 Nm of torque, reaching 0-62 mph in 3.7 s, a top speed of 155 mph (standard limiter), sent to the road via all-wheel drive. The Porsche 718 Spyder is priced from £80,000, powered by a 4.0L Flat-6, producing 414 hp, with 420 Nm of torque, reaching 0-62 mph in 4.4 s, a top speed of 187 mph, sent to the road via rear-wheel drive.
The Audi TT RS Coupé offers a 305-litre boot, folding rear seats, runs on petrol, returns around 32 mpg, is covered by a 3 years / 60,000 miles (original UK cover; first 2 years unlimited) warranty. The Porsche 718 Spyder offers a 150-litre boot, a usable front boot, runs on petrol, returns around 25 mpg, is covered by a 3 years / unlimited miles (original UK new-car cover) warranty.
On cost of ownership, the Audi TT RS Coupé is £20,000 cheaper than its rival, the Audi TT RS Coupé costs less in annual maintenance (£1,000 versus £1,200), the Audi TT RS Coupé is the more fuel-efficient choice, the Audi TT RS Coupé has 55 L fuel tank, the Porsche 718 Spyder has 64 L fuel tank.
Driving Character: Audi TT RS Coupé vs Porsche 718 Spyder
The TT RS is defined by its 2.5L five-cylinder engine, a characterful powerhouse that delivers 394 hp and a distinctive, off-beat exhaust note. Paired with Quattro AWD and magnetic ride control, it offers a compact, highly focused sports car experience that is as exciting as it is precise. The turn-in is sharp, and the grip levels are immense, allowing the car to punch out of corners with genuine urgency. While there is a hint of turbo lag at lower revs, the engine’s willingness to climb through the range ensures that the driving experience remains consistently engaging and punchy.
The Porsche 718 Spyder offers a purist’s approach to roadster dynamics, retaining the naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six and a manual gearbox for maximum engagement. The mid-engine layout provides exceptional balance, allowing the driver to feel every nuance through the steering wheel. Its handling is defined by a lightness of touch that differentiates it from the heavier convertible segments, making it exceptionally agile on winding backroads. While it shares much with the GT4, the open-top configuration adds an extra layer of sensory connection, making it an incredibly visceral and rewarding machine for the true enthusiast.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Audi TT RS Coupé — 2.5L turbo five-cylinder engine; produces a unique acoustic signature and strong pull; the Porsche 718 Spyder — 4.0L naturally aspirated flat-six; provides linear throttle response and classic mechanical character. Characteristic of the Audi TT RS Coupé: AWD stability; manages engine torque effectively during aggressive corner exit manoeuvres. For the Porsche 718 Spyder: Mid-engine balance; exceptional handling precision through tight cornering and technical road sections. In outright terms it is 394 hp against 414 — a 20 hp gap — and the Audi TT RS Coupé reaches 60 mph 0.7s sooner.
Interior & Cabin: Audi TT RS Coupé vs Porsche 718 Spyder
Inside, the TT RS is a masterclass in driver-centric design. The cabin is compact, stripping away unnecessary clutter to focus on the essential driving experience. The Virtual Cockpit remains a highlight, offering customisable RS-specific displays that keep the driver fully informed without requiring them to glance away from the road. Audi’s choice of materials is excellent, with high-quality finishes and supportive sports seats standard. While the rear seats are vestigial and only suitable for luggage or very occasional use, the cockpit itself feels perfectly tailored for the enthusiast, reinforcing the car’s focused intent.
The cabin remains strictly driver-focused, with Alcantara accents on the contact points and a simplified dashboard layout that emphasises function over technology. Lightweight door pulls and minimal luxuries maintain the stripped-back, enthusiast spirit of the Spyder. Because of the manual roof mechanism, interior storage is at a premium, and the cabin environment can be quite noisy when the top is up. The seats are excellent for long-distance support, but the overall feeling is one of purposeful simplicity, catering to those who prefer the tactile interaction of a pure sports car over digital sophistication.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Audi TT RS Coupé — Minimalist dashboard layout; absence of central screen enhances focus on essential driving; the Porsche 718 Spyder — Driver-focused dashboard; clean layout emphasises essential instrumentation and tactile feedback. Characteristic of the Audi TT RS Coupé: High-quality soft-touch plastics and leather; cabin remains robust despite daily use. For the Porsche 718 Spyder: Quality material finishing; interior surfaces are durable enough for daily open-top use.
Daily Usability: Audi TT RS Coupé vs Porsche 718 Spyder
For a performance coupe, the TT RS is surprisingly usable in day-to-day conditions. Its compact footprint makes navigating busy urban centres a breeze, and parking is rarely a source of stress compared to larger performance cars. The 305L boot space is adequate for a weekend getaway, provided one packs efficiently. While the ride can be firm in Sport mode, it is easily moderated for more comfortable daily driving. The primary challenge is limited rear visibility due to the small rear window and the low roofline, which demands a more observant approach when navigating complex junctions.
As the lightest member of the 718 family, the Spyder is remarkably nimble in urban settings, though the manual roof operation requires significant effort and patience compared to power-operated rivals. The dual trunks—front and rear—provide decent storage for a weekend getaway, which remains its primary use case. The ride is firm, though manageable, and it lacks the daily convenience of power-folding roof mechanisms, reinforcing its role as a machine to be driven intentionally. It is not an ideal city car, but for the enthusiast driver, it offers the perfect balance of roadster freedom and mid-engine practicality.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Audi TT RS Coupé — Hatchback body style; 305L boot expands significantly with rear seats folded down; the Porsche 718 Spyder — Front trunk availability; allows for usable storage alongside the rear compartment space. Characteristic of the Audi TT RS Coupé: Compact 11.2m turning circle; highly manoeuvrable in dense urban traffic environments. For the Porsche 718 Spyder: Compact 4379 mm length; provides high agility for navigating dense urban traffic. that means 305 litres of boot space against 150, plus a usable front boot in the Porsche 718 Spyder, and everyday running costs that favour the Audi TT RS Coupé at the pumps.
Ownership: Audi TT RS Coupé vs Porsche 718 Spyder
Owning a TT RS is a unique proposition, especially now that production has concluded. The five-cylinder engine is well-supported by Audi’s dealer network, but as the model ages, specific TT-related components may become harder to source. Enthusiast interest in the final iteration of this legendary powertrain keeps residual values strong, making it a potentially savvy long-term purchase. Maintenance costs are reasonable for the performance class, and the car's fuel economy is better than many rivals. It is a machine that rewards its owner with an emotive, character-filled experience that is becoming increasingly rare in the automotive world.
As the final naturally aspirated flat-six Boxster variant, the 718 Spyder holds a special place in the Porsche hierarchy, which has helped sustain strong residual values. Ownership is backed by the comprehensive Porsche dealer network, ensuring that maintenance is straightforward and well-documented. Parts and support for the 718 platform remain easy to obtain, though the limited production run means that Spyder-specific aesthetic components may become increasingly difficult to replace over time. It is a reliable, high-value ownership proposition that rewards careful maintenance and consistent usage throughout the warmer months of the year.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Audi TT RS Coupé — Proven MQB platform reliability; widely available parts keep annual maintenance costs manageable; the Porsche 718 Spyder — Strong enthusiast demand; Porsche brand reputation supports excellent resale price stability. Characteristic of the Audi TT RS Coupé: Strong enthusiast following; specific appeal of five-cylinder engine aids market liquidity. For the Porsche 718 Spyder: Reliable powertrain design; maintenance intervals are predictable and well-documented by specialists. On the wallet the two diverge at £38,000 versus £80,000 — a £42,000 difference, with annual maintenance of £1,000 against £1,200, and warranty cover of 3 years / 60,000 miles (original UK cover; first 2 years unlimited) versus 3 years / unlimited miles (original UK new-car cover).