2022 Porsche 718

For the 2022 model year, Porsche has made no changes to the car and has hiked the prices by just a grand over the previous year. Standard creature comforts and technology are limited with the 718, and one has to shell out additional money to spec the car as per their personal preferences. That being said, the wide range of additional customization options does offer a lot of character to the car and gives a personal touch to your beloved Porsche. 

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As there are no trims to choose from, the decision is very clear. Although, the prices for adding on option packages and features hike the prices very quickly, and hence one needs to keep an eye on the prices when opting for the same. However, we would advise you to go with the optional 7-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission for an additional thrill.

2022 Porsche 718 Spyder Release Date

Porsche has begun accepting the bookings for the 2022 718 Spyder, and with the promise of deliveries to begin by fall of 2021, we expect the test drive models to hit the showroom in a month's time for you to try out. 

The 2022 Porsche 718 Spyder does not get any mechanical changes over the 2021 model year and hence continues to be powered by the strong 4.0-liter naturally aspirated horizontal-6 engine that produces 414 hp and 309 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission as standard with a 7-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission available as an option, both of which power only the rear wheels. 

Although the performance is very brisk with the standard manual transmission, taking 4.2 seconds for the 0-60 mph sprint, the enthusiasts would not be very happy to know that the PDK hikes the torque output to 317 lb-ft and does the same sprint in 3.7 seconds. What remains constant is the slick and agile nature of the transmissions which enhance the overall enjoyable nature of the car. 

Rivals of the 718 Spyder offer better performance at an affordable price tag, but none can match the driving dynamics and handling offered by the Stuttgart carmaker. The BMW Z4 is the most affordable competitor for the 718, while the marginally pricier Corvette Stingray is the fastest of them all, shaving off over a second from the Porsche time to reach 60 mph from a standstill. The F-Type, on the other hand, gets a supercharged V8 as standard this year and yet is the slowest of the lot. 

Fuel efficiency has been quite a positive for most Porsche with a compact turbocharged engine at its heart, but that is not quite the case with the 718. The larger and powerful naturally aspirated flat-6 engine under its hood is good for only 19 mpg of combined EPA-rated fuel economy on premium fuel. That being said, the PDK gearbox should have a higher fuel economy rating. Even with a large 16.9-gallon fuel tank on offer, the 718 Spyder manages only around 300 miles of range on a tank of gas. 

The staggering power and performance offered by the Corvette Stingray also translate to fuel efficiency similar to that of the 718 Spyder. The smaller capacity engine from BMW is the most frugal amongst the cars present here, and that too by a considerable margin. The new Jaguar engine is yet to be rated, but we expect it to return around 21 mpg, similar to the previously offered V8 engine. 

Porsche offers a very minimalistic and straightforward cabin with the intent of offering a distraction-free environment to the driver. The design also looks a bit dated as compared to other modern roadsters, and limited adjustability for the seat adjusts offered as standard is also a disappointment. There is no shortage of leather and other premium materials though, and the build quality is on par with the top German standards. 

The compact nature of the car translates to tight cabin space, and people with large body structures will find it difficult to get used to the sporty bucket seats and cramped cabin of the car. And although the low-slung nature makes ingress and egress difficult for taller occupants, it is a very livable daily driver and does not feel uncomfortable at all. Also, the 4.2 cu-ft rear trunk with a 5.2 cu-ft front trunk together feel very dwarf and impractical for a daily driver. 

All the rivals to the 718 Spyder offer a much more premium, feature-loaded, and spacious cabin with much larger trunks on offer. That being said, the passenger space on offer on all the three competitors here is pretty similar with the Chevy Corvette offering the largest boot capacity. The Jaguar F-Type has the smallest trunk which too is quite larger than the Porsche. Major interior features include:

• Sport Seats Plus Front Bucket Seats
• Partial Leather Seat Trim w/Race-Tex Seat Centers
• Tilt/Telescoping Sport Simulated Suede/Metal-Look Steering Wheel
• Alcantara Simulated Suede Gear Shifter Material & Simulated Suede Door Trim Insert
• Porsche Vehicle Tracking System (PVTS)
• HomeLink Garage Door Transmitter

How intuitive is the 2022 Porsche 718 Spyder’s infotainment unit?

Since no major changes are made for the 2022 718 Spyder, the Porsche Communication Management infotainment system carries forward unchanged, which is a shame, to be honest. It isn’t the slickest or the most intuitive system on sale today, and the 7-inch head unit is quite small from modern-day standards. Also, there is no Android Auto on offer, and the Apple CarPlay that’s standard on lower 718 models, annoyingly becomes a $360 optional add-on for the Spyder. 

The navigation system also costs extra, while the base audio system isn’t the greatest as well, and one will gravitate towards the 10-speaker 505W Bose or the 12-speaker 821W Burmester premium audio system to best enjoy the music. No mobile hotspot and limited connected car technology also disappoint enthusiasts but is true to the purists' nature of the car. Major infotainment features include:

• 7.0-inch Porsche Communication Management (PCM) infotainment system
• 6-speaker 110W audio system
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio and HD Radio
• Porsche Car Connect
• CD/DVD drive and 11 GB internal jukebox storage
• Bluetooth hands-free mobile phone preparation and audio interface

The exterior design too doesn’t see any changes for the second straight year, and we aren’t complaining as well. The smooth flowing slick curves and the convertible rooftop look very attractive and are quintessential Porsche to look at.

To save weight, the convertible rooftop is lightweight in construction and manually operated, while the rear wing is unique and limited only to the Spyder. 

The BMW Z4 offers immense interior space despite being the shortest car in this comparison. The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, on the other hand, is the largest of them all and also offers the highest ground clearance. The Porsche rides the lowest to the ground and weighs the least, while the Jaguar is the heaviest of the lot. Standout exterior features include:

• Automatic Projector Beam High-Intensity Daytime Running Auto-Leveling Headlamps
• LED Brakelights
• Power Auto-Deploying Spoiler
• Manual Convertible Top w/Lining, Glass Rear Window, Fixed Roll-Over Protection, and Manual Wind Blocker
• Power Heated Side Mirrors
• 20-inch Spyder Silver Wheels w/Ultra high-performance summer tires

There are no safety tests conducted by either the NHTSA or the IIHS for the Porsche 718 lineup yet, and with the high value and low sales volume nature of the car, we don’t expect it to happen anytime soon too. Also, Porsche offers very few safety features and almost no driver aids as standard, and one has to shell out even more money if they intend to use it daily. Though the precise German engineering and years of experience mean that safety should not be a concern, a handful of standard driver aids would have gone a long way. Few salient safety features include:

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) And Driveline Traction Control
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Front & Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
• Driver And Passenger Knee & Curtain 1st Row Airbags
• ParkAssist Front And Rear Parking Sensors
• Back-Up Camera
• Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure Warning

2022 Porsche 718 Spyder vs BMW Z4 Roadster

The most affordable offering of the segment, the BMW Z4 raises a lot of questions over the pocket-heavy nature of the 718 Spyder. In spite of the lower power output, the Z4 is very quick and agile, while the fuel efficiency is the best in class.

There is ample room for both the occupants as compared to the tight cabin of the Porsche, while the larger trunk and newer technology on offer make living with the car that much easier. Add to that the higher stance and the $35,000 price advantage for the BMW, the 718 makes no sense to the sensible mind. 

2022 Porsche 718 Spyder vs Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible

The best of what America has to offer in this segment, the Corvette Stingray is the best bang for your buck you can get in terms of blistering quick performance. Not only is it affordable by over $30,000, but it also is quicker than the Porsche by over a second and yet manages to return a fuel economy on par with the 718 Spyder.

The cabin is better built and more premium in the Porsche, but the Corvette has more modern technology on offer with almost all of it being standard. That said, the agile driving dynamics and sheer driving pleasure is what will steal your heart in a Porsche. 

2022 Porsche 718 Spyder vs Jaguar F-Type Convertible 

The all-new V8 engine under the hood of the Jaguar F-Type has given the Jaguar a new character and has made it a lot more potent than the smaller capacity forced induction engines on offer before.

That being said, the performance is still not on par with the segment, while we expect both the European cars to have similar efficiency ratings. The F-Type offers a spacious cabin with a marginally larger trunk and lots of technology and safety features on offer, but it does not invoke the emotions that the Porsche 718 does. 

The 2022 Porsche 718 Spyder continues to be offered without any changes for the second straight year after its redesign and yet manages to impress everyone with all the positive attributes that a Porsche is known for. The strong acceleration, superb handling and ride quality, premium cabin feel, and plenty of customization options, all make it an exciting prospect to own. Unless money is a concern for you, there is no reason to not opt for this Porsche over any other roadster in the market.