16 MPG combined. That’s the figure the EPA assigns to the 2025 Porsche 718 Spyder RS. For anyone who understands this car’s singular purpose, it’s less a concern and more an expected consequence. This isn’t a vehicle engineered for frugality. It’s a 4.0-liter flat-six that provides visceral performance, an uncompromised roadster built to exploit every last RPM on the open road. The Spyder RS is for the enthusiast who prioritizes unfiltered driving sensation above all else. For them, the glorious wail of that engine, uncorked and singing at 9,000 RPM, is the ultimate reward. Fuel consumption is merely the cost of admission to that symphony.

City and highway performance

Looking at the EPA’s numbers, the 2025 Porsche 718 Spyder RS clocks in at 14 MPG in the city and 19 MPG on the highway. The city figure, at 14 MPG, is precisely as expected for a high-strung, large-displacement sports car frequently operating in stop-and-go traffic. This is not a commuter car; it is a weekend weapon, a track-day enthusiast’s dream. City driving is its unavoidable but least comfortable environment. The automatic (AM-S7) transmission, Porsche’s rapid-fire PDK, is efficient for what it is, but even its seven highly optimized gears can’t magically transform a 4.0-liter naturally aspirated engine into a Prius when contending with stoplights and low speeds. On the highway, the 19 MPG figure is an improvement, but still modest compared to more efficiency-minded vehicles. However, it’s important to understand the context. This highway driving is ideally not a drone on I-95, but rather a spirited run through mountain passes or a rapid transit between challenging B-roads where the engine is frequently exercised, not just loping along at legal limits. Even then, the aerodynamic design, while functional for downforce, isn’t inherently optimized for minimal drag at steady speeds in the same way a long-distance cruiser might be. The priorities here are mechanical grip, downforce, and that intoxicating engine note.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates an annual fuel cost of $3,600 for the 2025 Porsche 718 Spyder RS. This figure is calculated based on an assumed 15,000 miles driven per year, combined with national average fuel prices for premium gasoline. For the Spyder RS owner, this $3,600 is simply another line item in the budget of high-performance car ownership. It’s a drop in the bucket when considering the vehicle’s purchase price, insurance, maintenance, and the occasional track day expenses. The type of individual who acquires a Spyder RS is not swayed by a $300 fluctuation in their annual fuel bill; their decision is driven by passion, exclusivity, and the pursuit of the ultimate driver’s car. They understand that the joy derived from each drive far outweighs the cost at the pump. This $3,600 represents the tangible cost of experiencing one of the last, great naturally aspirated machines, and for its target audience, it’s a cost willingly borne.

Real-world expectations

In the real world, owners of the 2025 Porsche 718 Spyder RS will likely see fuel economy figures that align closely with, or perhaps even fall slightly below, the EPA estimates, particularly given the car’s intoxicating nature. The very reason one buys a Spyder RS is to uncork that 4.0-liter flat-six, to explore its vast rev range, and to revel in the mechanical symphony that emanates from behind the driver. This is not a car content to cruise; it begs to be driven with intent. Owners will undoubtedly find themselves seeking out engaging roads, where throttle inputs are more liberal and average speeds fluctuate, pushing consumption towards the lower end of the spectrum. Track use, for which this car is eminently capable, will see fuel economy plummet to single-digit figures, converting premium gasoline into pure endorphins. Even during more mundane driving, the sheer allure of the engine’s character often leads to more aggressive acceleration than strictly necessary. This isn’t a complaint; it reveals the car’s fundamental appeal. The owner of a Spyder RS is acutely aware that every dip into the throttle translates into a sip from the tank, but that physical expenditure is directly proportional to the sensory reward. It’s part of the ownership experience, not a drawback.

How it compares

When placed alongside its peers, the 2025 Porsche 718 Spyder RS’s fuel economy highlights its old-school, naturally aspirated ethos. Consider its closest internal sibling, the less extreme 718 Boxster GTS 4.0, which achieves 17 MPG combined (16 city/20 highway). The slight drop for the Spyder RS reflects its higher state of tune, more aggressive aerodynamics, and a focus even more singularly dedicated to maximum performance rather than everyday usability. Looking externally, competitors mostly trend towards forced induction or more GT-oriented characteristics. A Porsche 911 GT3, another naturally aspirated track weapon, manages a similar 17 MPG combined (15 city/18 highway) in its PDK guise, underscoring that raw, high-revving performance comes with a consistent fuel penalty. A fully loaded BMW M4 CSL, using a twin-turbo inline-six, achieves 18 MPG combined (16 city/23 highway), showcasing the inherent efficiency advantages of turbocharging, particularly on the highway. Even within its own model line, diving into 718 MPG across all years reveals the base 718 Boxster with its turbo-four cylinder easily hits 24 MPG combined (21 city/27 highway). Maserati’s MC20, with its twin-turbo V6, claims 20 MPG combined (18 city/25 highway). For the Spyder RS buyer, these comparisons are enlightening but ultimately inconsequential. They understand they are sacrificing a few MPG for something intangible and increasingly rare: the immediate throttle response, linear power delivery, and glorious acoustics of a large, naturally aspirated engine, revving to the stratosphere. The Spyder RS is not trying to beat an M4 on fuel economy; it’s trying to beat it on emotional engagement.

Tips to maximize efficiency

While the 2025 Porsche 718 Spyder RS is not designed for fuel efficiency, an owner can still extract the most from each gallon without entirely neutering its character. Avoiding harsh acceleration and braking, especially in city driving, will significantly smooth out consumption. The immediate throttle response of the 4.0L flat-six makes it easy to dip deep into boost, but a lighter foot will keep the RPMs lower and the fuel injectors less active.

Using the PDK transmission’s manual mode, or allowing it to shift into higher gears earlier under light throttle, can prevent the engine from lingering at higher, thirstier RPMs. On highway stretches, engaging cruise control and maintaining a consistent, moderate speed will help keep the 4.0-liter from constantly demanding more fuel for minor speed adjustments.

Proper tire pressure is always critical for both performance and efficiency, and it’s especially true for a car of the Spyder RS’s capabilities. Ensuring the tires are inflated to the manufacturer’s recommendations for road use will minimize rolling resistance, offering a marginal but measurable improvement in fuel economy.

Finally, planning your routes to minimize unnecessary idling or stop-and-go traffic is an effective strategy. While the Spyder RS might not be ideal for dense urban commutes, choosing routes that allow for more open-road driving and consistent speeds will inherently lead to better fuel figures. After all, the car’s natural habitat is the winding road, not the gridlocked street.