Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS vs Audi RS7
Compare the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS vs Audi RS7. The Audi RS7 is £3,000 cheaper. The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS is 0.1s quicker to 60mph. The Audi RS7 is more fuel efficient. Full performance, cost & ownership breakdown.
The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS is priced from £115,000, 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 Audi RS7 is priced from £105,000, powered by a 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8, producing 591 hp, with 800 Nm of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 3.5s, a top speed of 190 mph, sent to the road via all-wheel drive.
The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 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. The Audi RS7 offers a 535-litre boot, folding rear seats, runs on petrol, returns around 24 mpg, is covered by a 3yr / unlimited mi warranty.
On cost of ownership, the Audi RS7 is £3,000 cheaper than its rival, the Audi RS7 costs less in annual maintenance (£1,300 versus £1,200), the Audi RS7 is the more fuel-efficient choice, a full tank costs around £70 for the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS and £90 for the Audi RS7.
Driving Character: Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS vs Audi RS7
The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS represents the apex of the 718 platform, transplanting a 493hp naturally aspirated flat-six from the GT3 into a mid-engine chassis. The result is a machine with staggering agility and a turn-in response that makes even the standard GT4 feel soft. The chassis balance is dominated by rear-end grip and sharp, responsive steering that provides constant feedback. It is an extreme instrument, demanding a high level of expertise to truly extract its full potential. The power delivery is frenetic, culminating in a high-revving wail that defines the car's racing-inspired character.
The RS7 occupies a unique space, marrying the brutal acceleration of a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 with the visual drama of a low-slung, sweeping Sportback. With 591 hp and the advanced Quattro system, it delivers devastating straight-line performance that feels relentless and almost telepathic. All-wheel steering is standard, giving this imposing car an agility that defies its substantial weight in the corners. It is a machine designed for covering vast distances at high speed with effortless ease, providing a level of poise that turns even the most demanding road into a manageable ribbon of asphalt.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS takes our 0-100 driving character grading, 96 against 75. Characteristic of the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS: GT3-derived engine in the lightest, most track-focused Cayman ever. For the Audi RS7: Effortless, quattro-assured pace in a genuinely luxurious package. In outright terms it is 493 hp against 591 — a 98 hp gap — and the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS reaches 60 mph 0.1s sooner.
Interior & Cabin: Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS vs Audi RS7
The interior is a study in weight reduction, featuring CFRP door panels, lightweight door pulls, and carbon bucket seats that lock the driver in place. The presence of the standard roll bar behind the seats signals its intent, creating a sparse, motorsport-focused atmosphere. Sound deadening is intentionally minimal, allowing the mechanical symphony—and the roar of the intake located just behind the driver's head—to flood the cabin. It is not designed for luxury or comfort, but rather as an extension of the driving experience, prioritising tactical feedback and material efficiency above all else.
The interior is a high-luxury environment, mirroring the technical sophistication of the RS6 but packaged within a more dramatic, coupe-like frame. The Virtual Cockpit Plus provides clear, customisable readouts, while the cabin's materials—ranging from carbon fibre to Valcona leather—exude a premium, tactile quality. Because of the raked roofline, the rear cabin feels more intimate than in the Avant version, sacrificing headroom for a more sporting aesthetic. It is undeniably a driver’s cabin, where every control feels weighted, precise, and purposefully placed to enhance the feeling of being in something truly exclusive.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Audi RS7 takes our 0-100 interior & cabin grading, 50 against 88. Characteristic of the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS: Stripped-back, motorsport-focused cockpit. For the Audi RS7: Spacious, premium cabin with excellent tech and comfort.
Daily Usability: Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS vs Audi RS7
Daily utility is significantly compromised by the track-oriented nature of the GT4 RS. The suspension is exceptionally firm, making it punishing on all but the smoothest road surfaces, and the lack of sound insulation makes it unsuitable for long, tedious commutes. Despite this, the front and rear trunks remain available for storage, and the inclusion of a front-axle lift system helps navigate urban obstacles. While it is technically possible to drive to the track, the RS experience is best reserved for spirited road use or dedicated circuit days rather than routine errands.
While the RS7 is undoubtedly a performance vehicle, its Sportback design offers a practical twist. The 535L boot is more than sufficient for typical weekend trips, and the lift-back opening makes loading gear straightforward. Urban use requires awareness; its significant width and low stance mean care is needed in narrow parking structures, though the array of sensors and cameras makes it doable. In Comfort mode, the air suspension does a commendable job of masking road surface harshness, ensuring that urban traffic or motorway cruising is conducted with a sense of refined, whisper-quiet calm.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Audi RS7 takes our 0-100 daily usability grading, 35 against 82. Characteristic of the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS: Usable but clearly built for track days over commuting. For the Audi RS7: A genuine luxury daily driver with supercar-embarrassing pace. that means 125 litres of boot space against 535, plus a usable front boot in the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS, and everyday running costs that favour the Audi RS7 at the pumps.
Ownership: Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS vs Audi RS7
Owning a 718 Cayman GT4 RS is a high-stakes proposition, with high purchase prices and significant service costs reflecting its status as a low-volume, specialised performance vehicle. Values have appreciated rapidly, as the model occupies a unique space in the modern Porsche lineup. Owners benefit from the comprehensive Porsche Motorsport support network, which is essential for managing RS-specific components that are more expensive and harder to source than standard parts. It is a collector's dream, provided the owner acknowledges the substantial overheads and the demanding nature of maintaining a high-performance track machine.
As a flagship performance model, the RS7 commands a premium in terms of running costs. Fuel consumption is consistent with a high-output V8, and the long-term maintenance requires a dedicated budget for tyres, brakes, and scheduled service checks. Audi’s dealer network ensures that this level of care is easily accessible, and the car's desirable styling keeps residual values firm amongst performance-oriented buyers. It is a car that demands a commitment to its upkeep, but in exchange, it offers an ownership experience defined by style, speed, and the confidence that comes with a top-tier automotive engineering product.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS takes our 0-100 ownership grading, 78 against 75. Characteristic of the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS: Mechanically simple, Porsche-grade reliability. For the Audi RS7: Strong owner-reported reliability (4.7/5 per KBB after 50k miles). On the wallet the two diverge at £115,000 versus £105,000 — a £10,000 difference, with annual maintenance of £1,300 against £1,200, and warranty cover of 4yr / 50k mi versus 3yr / unlimited mi.