2024 Porsche 718 Boxster

Overview

Originally conceived as the amuse-bouche of the lineup, the Porsche 718 Boxster—and its coupe twin, the 718 Cayman—has carved out a niche as a mid-engined performer worthy of sharing showroom space with the beloved 911. Even with the base turbo four-cylinder, the Boxster is a sports-car masterpiece, with crisp handling and a superbly balanced chassis. Drop the top to hear the exhaust note, and drink in the sun while you carve up switchbacks like you're serving them for dinner. While the Boxster is also happy loping along the interstate or running errands, it's not the most practical thing on four wheels; its usefulness takes a few hits thanks to small cargo areas and limited interior space. Even with those compromises, we can't help but be charmed by Porsche's smallest sports car, and it remains a favorite among our staff, winning yet another 10Best award for 2024 as well as a 2024 Editors' Choice award.

Where This Vehicle Ranks

#3 in Best Performance Sports Cars

1

Chevrolet Corvette

STARTING AT: $69,995

2

Porsche 718 Cayman

STARTING AT: $69,950

3

Porsche 718 Boxster

STARTING AT: $72,050

4

Toyota GR Supra

STARTING AT: $47,535

5

BMW Z4

STARTING AT: $55,225

6

Lotus Emira

STARTING AT: $77,100

What's New for 2024?

A new Style Edition model is added to the Boxster lineup this year. It dresses up the base model with 20-inch wheels, hood and door graphics, special floormats with chalk-colored stitching, illuminated door sill plates, and embossed Porsche logos on the headrests. The Style Edition also serves as the launching pad for a new Ruby Star Neo paint color. On the other end of the 718 spectrum is the new Spyder RS, which borrows the 493-hp 4.0-liter flat-six from the Cayman GT4 RS; the regular Spyder model has been dropped in favor of this new, more powerful version.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

For those shopping without limits, the GTS 4.0 model—with its powerful and euphonious flat-six—is the Boxster to choose. Unfortunately, we get that not everyone can afford to drop $90K on a two-seat convertible. So, for those on a less extravagant budget, the S model is where it's at. The available PDK automatic transmission is excellent, but this car calls for a manual gearbox. We'd recommend keeping the options to a minimum, selecting only the lowered suspension with adaptive dampers, a limited-slip rear differential, and ventilated seats.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Boxster offers four engines: a 300-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter flat-four, a 350-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four on the S model, a 394-hp 4.0-liter flat-six on the GTS 4.0, and a 493-hp 4.0-liter flat-six on the Spyder RS. Each comes paired with a precise, low-effort six-speed manual transmission, but buyers can opt for Porsche's clairvoyant seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic. The base and S models are great fun and performed well in our testing. We haven't had the opportunity to put our gear on a U.S.-spec Boxster GTS 4.0 model, but we do have a long-term 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 in our test fleet that shows this model's performance potential (the two models are within about 60 pounds of one another). The Boxster's handling and steering prowess inspires our deepest admiration. It feels balanced and stable in corners, and the brilliantly communicative steering reacts quickly and accurately to even small inputs. The Boxster's chassis talks to you as if the tire patches have a direct line to your vestibular system, but the ride is comfortable enough for long trips. Extras such as Porsche's adaptive dampers and an available torque-vectoring rear differential only improve this car's handling, but even base-spec Boxsters behave precisely the way we want them to.

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Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The base Boxster, with a turbo 2.0-liter flat-four and six-speed manual, earns 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA. Opting for the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic earns buyers 1 mpg more in each category. The S and GTS models fare only slightly worse. We've tested both a base Boxster and an S on our 200-mile highway fuel-economy route, and both models outperformed their EPA ratings, with results of 33 mpg and 28 mpg, respectively. For more information about the Boxster's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The Boxster's interior has a little more plastic than we'd expect in a car that costs this much, but buyers can cover almost every surface—the console lid, door-panel trim, and instrument-cluster top—in leather for a relatively reasonable price. The Boxster's two flimsy dash-mounted pop-out cupholders have limited utility and reveal a cultural disdain for driving with beverages—Germans don't drink their Nachmittagskaffee while driving, after all. If you're looking for a car that'll hold your entire life within its cabin, look elsewhere. This two-seater is seriously lacking in room and cubby space. And while neither the Boxster nor the Cayman has large amounts of in-cabin storage space, each at least provides both front and rear cargo compartments. One carry-on suitcase fits in the back, and two fit in the frunk.

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Infotainment and Connectivity

We'd usually complain about a mere two USB ports, but given this car seats only two, how many more ports do you need? There's also a standard CD player for those drivers who still listen to CDs. Buyers can opt for navigation and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Porsche now provides Apple CarPlay integration as standard fare, but Android Auto is still not offered.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The Boxster doesn't have a lot of driver-assistance technology, but we're at least glad about the standard backup camera and parking sensors. For more information about the Boxster's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard front and rear parking sensors
• Available automated emergency braking
• Available blind-spot monitoring

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Porsche offers a warranty package that is slightly above average for the class and provides longer bumper-to-bumper coverage than the Chevrolet Corvette. That said, it pales in comparison to the coverage offered on the Jaguar F-type. That car beats all challengers with the longest terms and a generous five years or 60,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance.

• Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance is covered for one year or 10,000 miles

Specifications

Specifications

2022 Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0
Vehicle Type: rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door convertible

PRICE
Base/As Tested: $90,850/$110,540
Options: 7-speed PDK transmission, $3730; Premium package – Bose surround sound, LED headlight w/PLDS Plus, light design package, power folding mirrors, heated steering wheel, lane-change assist, $3500; Python Green paint, $2580; 20-inch 911 Turbo wheels, $2450; black leather interior, $2160; adaptive cruise control, $1670; gloss black brake calipers, $900; ventilated seats, $740; supplemental safety bars in exterior color, $640; smartphone compartment, $560; painted vehicle keys, $540; PORSCHE logo in satin black, $220

ENGINE
DOHC 24-valve flat-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 244 in³, 3995 cm³
Power: 394 hp @ 7000 rpm
Torque: 309 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm

TRANSMISSION
7-speed dual-clutch automatic

CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/struts
Brakes, F/R: 13.8-in vented, cross-drilled disc/13.0-in vented, cross-drilled disc
Tires: Pirelli P Zero PZ4
F: 235/35ZR-20 (88Y) N1
R: 265/35ZR-20 (95Y) N1

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 97.4 in
Length: 172.4 in
Width: 70.9 in
Height: 49.7 in
Passenger Volume: 49 ft³
Trunk Volume, F/R: 5/4 ft³
Curb Weight: 3254 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.4 sec
100 mph: 8.2 sec
1/4-Mile: 11.7 sec @ 119 mph
130 mph: 14.2 sec
150 mph: 20.5 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.2 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 4.4 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.5 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 2.5 sec
Top Speed (mfr's claim): 182 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 145 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 294 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 1.05 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 23 mpg

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 21/19/24 mpg

2021 Porsche 718 Spyder
Vehicle Type: mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door convertible

PRICE
Base/As Tested: $98,650/$109,990
Options: dual-clutch automatic (PDK), $3210; Spyder classic interior package, $2800; navigation, $2320; two-zone automatic climate control, $770; auto-dimming mirrors, $700; GT Silver metallic, $650; heated seats, $530; Apple CarPlay, $360

ENGINE
DOHC 24-valve flat-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 244 in³, 3996 cm³
Power: 414 hp @ 7600 rpm
Torque: 309 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm

TRANSMISSION
7-speed dual-clutch automatic

CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/struts
Brakes, F/R: 15.0-in vented, cross-drilled disc/15.0-in vented, cross-drilled disc
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2
F: 245/35ZR-20 (95Y) N1
R: 295/30ZR-20 (101Y) N1

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 97.8 in
Length: 174.5 in
Width: 71.0 in
Height: 49.6 in
Passenger Volume: 49 ft³
Cargo Volume (front/rear): 5/4 ft³
Curb Weight: 3263 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.4 sec
100 mph: 8.2 sec
1/4-Mile: 11.8 sec @ 119 mph
130 mph: 14.5 sec
150 mph: 21.5 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.2 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 4.1 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.4 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 2.7 sec
Top Speed (mfr's claim): 187 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 141 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 276 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 1.03 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 21 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 29 mpg
Highway Range: 490 mi

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 20/18/24 mpg

C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

More Features and Specs