Porsche 718 Spyder vs Porsche 718 Spyder RS
Compare the Porsche 718 Spyder vs Porsche 718 Spyder RS. The Porsche 718 Spyder is £58,000 cheaper. The Porsche 718 Spyder RS is 0.6s quicker to 60mph. The Porsche 718 Spyder 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 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 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 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 is £58,000 cheaper than its rival, the Porsche 718 Spyder costs less in annual maintenance (£1,200 versus £1,400), the Porsche 718 Spyder is the more fuel-efficient choice, a full tank costs around £70 for the Porsche 718 Spyder and £70 for the Porsche 718 Spyder RS.
Driving Character: Porsche 718 Spyder vs Porsche 718 Spyder RS
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 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, 88 against 94. Characteristic of the Porsche 718 Spyder: Naturally-aspirated flat-six purity in an open-top mid-engined chassis. For the Porsche 718 Spyder RS: GT4 RS power in an open-top body - visceral and track-honed. In outright terms it is 414 hp against 493 — a 79 hp gap — and the Porsche 718 Spyder RS reaches 60 mph 0.6s sooner.
Interior & Cabin: Porsche 718 Spyder vs Porsche 718 Spyder RS
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.
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 Porsche 718 Spyder takes our 0-100 interior & cabin grading, 62 against 52. Characteristic of the Porsche 718 Spyder: Motorsport-flavoured cabin with genuine everyday livability. For the Porsche 718 Spyder RS: Stripped-back, motorsport-focused cockpit.
Daily Usability: Porsche 718 Spyder vs Porsche 718 Spyder RS
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.
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 Porsche 718 Spyder takes our 0-100 daily usability grading, 65 against 38. Characteristic of the Porsche 718 Spyder: Surprisingly civil for an open-top track-focused Porsche. For the Porsche 718 Spyder RS: Usable but clearly built for spirited driving over commuting. that means 150 litres of boot space against 125, and everyday running costs that favour the Porsche 718 Spyder at the pumps.
Ownership: Porsche 718 Spyder vs Porsche 718 Spyder RS
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 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 takes our 0-100 ownership grading, 78 against 78. Characteristic of the Porsche 718 Spyder: Mechanically simple, Porsche-grade reliability. For the Porsche 718 Spyder RS: Mechanically simple, Porsche-grade reliability. On the wallet the two diverge at £80,000 versus £140,000 — a £60,000 difference, with annual maintenance of £1,200 against £1,400.