Ferrari 458 Italia vs Porsche 718 Spyder RS
Compare the Ferrari 458 Italia vs Porsche 718 Spyder RS. The Porsche 718 Spyder RS is £65,000 cheaper. The Ferrari 458 Italia is 0.1s quicker to 60mph. The Porsche 718 Spyder RS is more fuel efficient. Full performance, cost & ownership breakdown.
The Ferrari 458 Italia is priced from £145,000, powered by a 4.5L V8, producing 562 hp, with 540 Nm of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 3.3s, a top speed of 202 mph, sent to the road via rear-wheel drive. The Porsche 718 Spyder RS is priced from £140,000, powered by a 4.0L Flat-6, producing 493 hp, with 450 Nm of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 3.4s, a top speed of 196 mph, sent to the road via rear-wheel drive.
The Ferrari 458 Italia offers a 230-litre boot, runs on petrol, returns around 20 mpg, is covered by a 2yr / unlimited mi warranty. The Porsche 718 Spyder RS offers a 125-litre boot, a usable front boot, runs on petrol, returns around 23 mpg, is covered by a 4yr / 50k mi warranty.
On cost of ownership, the Porsche 718 Spyder RS is £65,000 cheaper than its rival, the Porsche 718 Spyder RS costs less in annual maintenance (£3,000 versus £1,400), the Porsche 718 Spyder RS is the more fuel-efficient choice, a full tank costs around £85 for the Ferrari 458 Italia and £70 for the Porsche 718 Spyder RS.
Driving Character: Ferrari 458 Italia vs Porsche 718 Spyder RS
The 458 Italia remains the benchmark for naturally aspirated V8 performance, featuring a 4.5L engine that screams to a 9,000rpm redline. The throttle response is telepathic, offering a level of connection that modern turbocharged equivalents often struggle to replicate. Its chassis balance is exceptional, communicating road surface textures with crystal clarity through the steering rack. While the power delivery is linear and requires the driver to chase the high end of the rev range, the rewards are immense. It is a pure, analogue-feeling driving experience that remains as engaging today as it was at launch.
The Porsche 718 Spyder RS is defined by its mid-engine configuration and the installation of the 4.0L flat-six from the GT3. The chassis is a masterpiece of precision, featuring RS-specific suspension geometry that rewards technical accuracy. The steering feel is sharp and communicative, offering a visceral connection to the tarmac that few modern roadsters can replicate. While it is certainly capable on a track, the engine note and open-top architecture make it a raw experience on winding B-roads. The gearshifts are lightning fast, ensuring the powertrain remains at the heart of the driving sensation throughout every spirited corner.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Porsche 718 Spyder RS takes our 0-100 driving character grading, 90 against 94. Characteristic of the Ferrari 458 Italia: High-revving naturally-aspirated V8 widely considered a modern Ferrari high point. For the Porsche 718 Spyder RS: GT4 RS power in an open-top body - visceral and track-honed. In outright terms it is 562 hp against 493 — a 69 hp gap — and the Ferrari 458 Italia reaches 60 mph 0.1s sooner.
Interior & Cabin: Ferrari 458 Italia vs Porsche 718 Spyder RS
Inside, the cockpit focuses on a clean, functional design that places the driver at the heart of the experience. The steering wheel, featuring integrated controls, was a revolutionary touch that has since become a Ferrari signature. While the interior materials are of a high quality, the cabin clearly shows its age compared to the digital-heavy layouts of contemporary models. Visibility is a notable highlight for the segment, with a generous glasshouse that aids spatial awareness. It is a straightforward, no-nonsense interior that prioritises road-holding focus over the latest in screen-based distractions.
Inside, the Porsche 718 Spyder RS prioritises weight saving over luxury. The carbon fibre bucket seats provide immense support, while the use of fabric door pulls and minimal sound insulation highlights its motorsport heritage. Build quality is characteristically high, though the cabin environment is undeniably sparse compared to a standard 718. The infotainment system is functional rather than flashy, providing necessary data without distracting from the task of driving. Despite the lack of plush padding, the driver-focused ergonomics remain impeccable, creating a purposeful space that reflects the uncompromising nature of the vehicle’s design philosophy.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Ferrari 458 Italia takes our 0-100 interior & cabin grading, 75 against 52. Characteristic of the Ferrari 458 Italia: Driver-focused cabin with excellent build quality for its era. For the Porsche 718 Spyder RS: Stripped-back, motorsport-focused cockpit.
Daily Usability: Ferrari 458 Italia vs Porsche 718 Spyder RS
With its relatively compact footprint, the 458 Italia is far more manageable on public roads than one might expect for a mid-engine supercar. The 230L boot space is surprisingly useful, providing enough room for light luggage for two. In city environments, it feels more agile than its successors, and the excellent outward visibility makes parking and tight manoeuvres less of a chore. However, because of the complex nature of the engine and its advanced systems, the owner must strictly adhere to the scheduled maintenance programme to ensure that the car remains reliable.
Daily utility is clearly secondary to performance in the Porsche 718 Spyder RS, yet it remains surprisingly manageable. The inclusion of a nose lift system as standard allows for navigation over urban speed bumps and steep inclines without damaging the front splitter. Storage is adequate for a weekend getaway, with both a front boot and a rear luggage compartment available for essential items. Ingress and egress require some physical agility due to the low-slung bucket seats and side sills, but for owners who accept the compromise of a manual roof operation, it serves as a usable roadster.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Ferrari 458 Italia takes our 0-100 daily usability grading, 55 against 38. Characteristic of the Ferrari 458 Italia: Usable as an occasional daily supercar. For the Porsche 718 Spyder RS: Usable but clearly built for spirited driving over commuting. that means 230 litres of boot space against 125, plus a usable front boot in the Porsche 718 Spyder RS, and everyday running costs that favour the Porsche 718 Spyder RS at the pumps.
Ownership: Ferrari 458 Italia vs Porsche 718 Spyder RS
Owning a 458 Italia now sits firmly in the realm of collector-grade vehicle management. As one of the last naturally aspirated mid-engine Ferraris, its value has steadily strengthened as enthusiasts seek out a more visceral, analogue experience. While the official warranty is limited by the car's age, the robust demand for the model has led to a thriving network of independent specialists capable of handling servicing. Owners should prepare for significant annual maintenance costs, but the trade-off is the possession of an iconic machine that continues to define the Ferrari V8 lineage.
Ownership of the Porsche 718 Spyder RS is defined by its exclusivity and potential for appreciation. As a model with limited production, it sits in a secure position within the enthusiast market. While annual maintenance costs are high, the support provided by the Porsche Motorsport division offers peace of mind for specialized mechanical needs. Insurance premiums will be substantial, and the high purchase price requires careful consideration, but the prospect of long-term residual strength remains strong. For collectors and enthusiasts alike, it represents a peak of internal combustion performance within the Porsche stable.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Porsche 718 Spyder RS takes our 0-100 ownership grading, 75 against 78. Characteristic of the Ferrari 458 Italia: Widely regarded as a dependable, now-classic naturally-aspirated Ferrari. For the Porsche 718 Spyder RS: Mechanically simple, Porsche-grade reliability. On the wallet the two diverge at £145,000 versus £140,000 — a £5,000 difference, with annual maintenance of £3,000 against £1,400, and warranty cover of 2yr / unlimited mi versus 4yr / 50k mi.