Porsche 718 Spyder vs Audi RS5 Sportback
Compare the Porsche 718 Spyder vs Audi RS5 Sportback. The Audi RS5 Sportback is £7,000 cheaper. The Audi RS5 Sportback is 0.1s quicker to 60mph. The Audi RS5 Sportback is more fuel efficient. Full performance, cost & ownership breakdown.
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 0-60 mph in 4s, a top speed of 187 mph, sent to the road via rear-wheel drive. The Audi RS5 Sportback is priced from £65,000, powered by a 2.9L Twin-Turbo V6, producing 444 hp, with 600 Nm of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 3.9s, a top speed of 174 mph, sent to the road via all-wheel drive.
The Porsche 718 Spyder offers a 150-litre boot, a usable front boot, runs on petrol, returns around 25 mpg, is covered by a 4yr / 50k mi warranty. The Audi RS5 Sportback offers a 480-litre boot, folding rear seats, runs on petrol, returns around 30 mpg, is covered by a 3yr / unlimited mi warranty.
On cost of ownership, the Audi RS5 Sportback is £7,000 cheaper than its rival, the Audi RS5 Sportback costs less in annual maintenance (£1,200 versus £1,000), the Audi RS5 Sportback is the more fuel-efficient choice, a full tank costs around £70 for the Porsche 718 Spyder and £80 for the Audi RS5 Sportback.
Driving Character: Porsche 718 Spyder vs Audi RS5 Sportback
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.
The RS5 Sportback delivers a sophisticated driving experience focused on immense, all-weather pace. Its 2.9L twin-turbo V6 pushes 444 hp, providing a linear and authoritative surge of acceleration that makes the 0-60 sprint feel effortless. The Quattro system, paired with a sport differential, ensures the chassis feels planted and neutral, even in challenging conditions. While it may lack the raw, emotive bark of a V8, the technical precision is hard to ignore. It is a car that covers ground with clinical efficiency, keeping the driver composed and confident regardless of the severity of the road surface.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Porsche 718 Spyder takes our 0-100 driving character grading, 88 against 72. Characteristic of the Porsche 718 Spyder: Naturally-aspirated flat-six purity in an open-top mid-engined chassis. For the Audi RS5 Sportback: Composed, quattro-assured pace with a characterful twin-turbo V6. In outright terms it is 414 hp against 444 — a 30 hp gap — and the Audi RS5 Sportback reaches 60 mph 0.1s sooner.
Interior & Cabin: Porsche 718 Spyder vs Audi RS5 Sportback
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.
The cabin is a triumph of function and premium finish, centring on the high-resolution Virtual Cockpit. Everything is exactly where a driver would expect it, with high-quality materials and a robust build feel that characterises Audi’s best interiors. The Sportback silhouette does slightly compromise headroom for rear passengers, though the four-door configuration makes it far more accessible than a traditional coupe. It feels intimate yet spacious, balancing a cockpit-style atmosphere with sufficient room for adults. While it shares some architecture with the standard A5, the RS-specific trim and seating elevate the experience to something truly special.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Audi RS5 Sportback takes our 0-100 interior & cabin grading, 62 against 82. Characteristic of the Porsche 718 Spyder: Motorsport-flavoured cabin with genuine everyday livability. For the Audi RS5 Sportback: Spacious, well-finished cabin with practical 5-door hatch access.
Daily Usability: Porsche 718 Spyder vs Audi RS5 Sportback
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.
Practicality is the RS5 Sportback’s hidden talent, blending high performance with genuine usability. The 480L boot is surprisingly cavernous, and the rear doors make loading children or shopping a non-issue. Its footprint is manageable for urban environments, allowing for relatively stress-free parking. The ride, while undeniably firm when set to Dynamic, remains supple in Comfort, smoothing out motorway undulations effectively. It is a car that thrives on long-distance grand touring, where its stability and power come into their own, yet it remains perfectly at home running mundane errands through a congested city centre.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Audi RS5 Sportback takes our 0-100 daily usability grading, 65 against 85. Characteristic of the Porsche 718 Spyder: Surprisingly civil for an open-top track-focused Porsche. For the Audi RS5 Sportback: Genuinely practical everyday performance car with a usable boot. that means 150 litres of boot space against 480, plus a usable front boot in the Porsche 718 Spyder, and everyday running costs that favour the Audi RS5 Sportback at the pumps.
Ownership: Porsche 718 Spyder vs Audi RS5 Sportback
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.
Ownership costs for the RS5 Sportback are balanced, leaning towards the premium end of the mid-size performance spectrum. Achieving 30 mpg on a steady run is a welcome benefit of the V6 layout, though enthusiastic driving will see that figure plummet. Servicing intervals are well-structured, though the Quattro driveline does require specific attention to remain in peak condition. Audi’s expansive dealer network is a massive advantage, ensuring that parts and expertise are never far away. Strong residuals and a broad appeal make this a sound financial proposition for a high-performance vehicle, provided you are prepared for the annual maintenance budget.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Porsche 718 Spyder takes our 0-100 ownership grading, 78 against 78. Characteristic of the Porsche 718 Spyder: Mechanically simple, Porsche-grade reliability. For the Audi RS5 Sportback: Strong Audi reliability reputation. On the wallet the two diverge at £80,000 versus £65,000 — a £15,000 difference, with annual maintenance of £1,200 against £1,000, and warranty cover of 4yr / 50k mi versus 3yr / unlimited mi.