2025 Porsche 718 Spyder

With an engine from a racing machine set into a small, nimble, well-balanced car, the 2025 718 Spyder RS is truly exceptional. It will absolutely shine on a track, yet it’s also civilized enough for less frenetic jaunts, thanks to an adaptive suspension. And it’s a convertible, which will please all those fresh-air fiends. We could make the argument that every Porsche is special, but some are more special than others — like the 718 Spyder RS.

A 7-speed dual-clutch automated transmission (known as PDK) is standard, but this particular model doesn’t offer the option of a manual transmission. On a sadder note, this is the final year of 718 production, having debuted for the 2017 model year. Porsche plans to create new compact 2-seater coupes (like the 718 Cayman) and convertibles (like the 718 Boxster and this model), but they will be all-electric.

There’s also a gas guzzler tax of $1,300 that has to be added on. The 718 Spyder RS isn’t cheap, even though it’s based on one of Porsche’s most affordable cars. But it could eventually reach collector status. Look after it and don’t rack up too many miles (a tall order, we know), and a 718 Spyder RS could actually go up in value.

For less money, the Chevy Corvette Z06 comes with 670 hp. Yet, we’d still understand why some buyers would prefer the Porsche. It’s good to have this kind of choice. Before buying a new 718 Spyder RS premium sports car, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying.

Class-Leading Resale Values

The 718 Spyder RS tops our resale value table for this class of car. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

Accelerating from a standstill to 60 mph in a fleeting 3.2 seconds is made possible by 493 horses stirred by a 4.0-liter flat-6 engine. There’s a special sound emanating from this kind of Porsche engine, amplified by a sport exhaust system that we find spine-tingling. Top track speed is 191 mph.

Porsche cars are also known for their thrilling dynamics. The 718 Spyder RS improves upon the usual Boxster setup by adding a sport-tuned adaptive suspension. The 718 Spyder RS also has a limited-slip differential and torque vectoring for efficient cornering. One thing we’ve noticed about all the Porsches we’ve driven is that they’re calibrated so finely — every input requires just the right amount of effort. Nothing is over-assisted, yet nothing feels too heavy.

Fuel Economy

There’s a reason why a gas guzzler tax is applied to this car. Expect a 718 Spyder RS to achieve about 16 mpg in combined city/highway driving. Then again, a Chevy Corvette Z06 is thirstier by a couple of mpg.

The cabin of the 718 Spyder RS has everything an enthusiast driver needs. Which, let’s face it, isn’t much. It’s along the lines of a great driving position, a satisfying feel to the steering wheel, and generally all the essential controls just being in their ideal locations. Incidentally, the bucket seats are fashioned from carbon fiber-reinforced plastic — making them strong yet light. Buyers can also have custom 3D-printed versions made for their particular shape. Plus a choice of seat belt colors.

The engine is mounted in the middle of the body, as opposed to up front or — in the case of the Porsche 911 — in the trunk. This leaves room for a smallish trunk area of 4.2 cubic feet. There’s also another 4.4 cubes of storage under the hood.

Derived from the 718 Boxster (which, despite its advanced years, still looks great to us), the 718 Spyder RS differs in a few ways. It sits about an inch lower on its sporty suspension. Air vents are added to the hood and front fenders. And there are those little “flying buttress” features going from just behind the headrests to the tail, where we find the cute ducktail spoiler.

The fabric top is a slightly different shape, while this one is black with either red or gray stitching. Porsche also offers a paint-to-sample service with the 718 Spyder RS, but it starts at $14,750.

If we had a gripe, apart from the expensive options, it’s that this manually operated fabric roof is not quite as easy to use as its Boxster counterpart. The underlying idea is to keep weight in check, though, so we could live with it.

PDK
These three letters represent a long German word with an unhealthy number of consonants. The underlying meaning is a double-clutch automated transmission that comes standard in the 718 Spyder RS. Despite this being an enthusiast’s car, it doesn’t offer a manual transmission. We don’t mind because we’ve always liked a PDK, noticing how it can shift gears faster than a human anyway.

Front axle lift system
Not every road out in the real world can be race-track flat, so we recommend this option even if it does add some weight. Considering the 718 Spyder RS has a low ride height, we like the idea of saving the front lip from getting scraped.

Forged magnesium wheels
For a mere $16,640, buyers can regain some of that lightness lost because of the axle lift system by choosing these 20-inch forged magnesium wheels. They save a total of 21 pounds over the standard forged aluminum items, have a staggered-width setup (8.5 inches up front, 11 inches at the back), wear ultra-high performance summer tires, and are finished in dark silver.

Carbon ceramic brakes
Anyone planning on some hot track laps would be wise to choose this $8,000 option. They’re especially resistant to fading, warping, and wearing.

Porsche styling
Porsche would be the first company to say that function is paramount, looks are secondary. But there’s still a certain visual flair to Porsche cars (and SUVs) that we find stirring — right down to the typeface used in model names and numbers.

Porsche Experience Center Delivery
Available in Atlanta and Los Angeles, this option allows you to take delivery of your new 718 Spyder RS and includes high-performance driving instruction on a track, plus lunch. It costs $2,000.

The 718 Spyder RS employs a 4.0-liter 6-cylinder engine in the classic Porsche flat-6 configuration. It develops a thumping 493 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. The next step in the drivetrain is a 7-speed automated transmission with paddle shifters mounted to the steering column. It’s ideal for those frequent occasions when the driver wants to be more involved. There’s no option for all-wheel drive (AWD), the 718 Spyder is rear-drive exclusively.

The regular 718 Boxster lineup is reviewed separately.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

Porsche’s new car and drivetrain warranties last four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. This is typical among European luxury car companies. Roadside assistance is included, while the first scheduled maintenance visit is also part of the deal.

Safety Ratings

The 718 Boxster (on which the 718 Spyder RS is based) hasn’t been crash-tested by any agencies in the United States. Standard safety equipment doesn’t go much beyond airbags, rollover protection, a reversing camera, and parking sensors at both ends. Given Porsche’s unassailable engineering reputation, however, we have no misgivings regarding the car’s crashworthiness.