The Porsche 718 Boxster is the latest Porsche 2-seater Boxster model that aims to combine efficiency with sportiness by giving the Boxster a 4-cylinder engine for the very first time. This was met with quite a bit of revolt from the Porsche enthusiast community, but thankfully Porsche kept its high-revving 6-cylinder engines for top-of-the-line 718 models.
So, is Porsche 718 Boxster a good car? Yes, the Porsche 718 Boxster is a really good car and can easily be touted as one of, if not the best car in its class. For starters, the Boxster is available with a few different engines, and the 911 GT3-sourced flat-6 in the GTS and Spyder models is pure automotive bliss.
The car looks great both inside and out and is packed with loads of quality materials. The 718 Boxster drives better than most cars from this segment do because Porsche knows how to make a quality sports car. The 718 may not have a hardtop roof, but it manages to stay flat in the corners without any significant body roll.
Reliability is also decent, but there are some issues worth talking about. Practicality is also good for a 2-seater roadster thanks to both a front and a back trunk space. The car might be a bit too cramped for the tallest people out there, but average-size drivers should do without any issues.
Porsche 718 Boxster – The powertrain
The Porsche 718 Boxster engine lineup kicks off with the regular Boxster which offers a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine with 299hp. The Boxster S is the second in line with a 2.5L Boxster 4-cylinder engine with 350hp. The 718 Boxster T also gets the 2.0L engine as in the entry-level Boxster which means 299hp.
The Porsche 718 GTS is the mid-spec model and gets a 2.5L Boxster-4 with 365hp, but the mid-cycle refresh GTS got a 4.0L GT3-sourced flat 6-cylinder engine with 400hp. The top-of-the-line Porsche 718 Boxster model is the Boxster Spyder that also uses a 4.0L flat 6-cylinder engine with 420hp and is likely one of the best Boxster models of all time.
All Boxster models are rear-wheel-drive and mid-engine mounted. They are available with either a 6-speed manual short-throw transmission or a dual-clutch Porsche PDK box with launch control. 4-cylinder Boxster models are by far the most efficient models, but that is the only benefit they have over 6-cylinder units.
Porsche 718 Boxster – Design and chassis
The 718 Boxster looks in line with all the previous Boxster models thanks to a recognizable silhouette and a pair of slightly oval headlights. The Boxster gets a soft top that can be easily retracted and then the car looks even better. The interior is packed with high-quality materials such as leather, aluminum, carbon fiber, and Alcantara.
The chassis of the 718 Boxster is likely one of its strong suits because it is such a well-balanced car. Everyone who drove the 718 said that the car is one of the best-balanced cars in existence. The suspension is stiff, but not enough to make your daily driving suffer.
Porsche 718 Boxster – Reliability and common issues
The Porsche 718 Boxster is a decently reliable car, but it does suffer from certain issues that are worth mentioning. Porsches are known to be high-maintenance cars and the 718 Boxster is no different. However, it is also true that Porsche spare parts have a longer serviceable life than most brands do, so you are getting something in return.
The most common Porsche 718 Boxster issues are related to the transmission, the equipment, paint quality, overheating, and the A/C. Be sure to maintain your 718 as best as you can, otherwise, it is going to fail eventually.
Porsche 718 Boxster – Value and practicality
The 2022 Boxster starts at $62,200 while the range-topping Boxster Spyder costs $97,300. The special edition 25-year Boxster GTS costs about $1,000 more than the Boxster Spyder. All in all, these are expensive cars and some might argue too expensive for their size, but they retain their value really well, especially the 6-cylinder models.
Practicality is both good and bad because the 718 is a compact car and it can’t really pack much of anything. The space on offer is compact which means that taller drivers could struggle. The good thing is that the 718 gets both a front and a rear trunk space which further makes the car more practical.
FAQ Section
Which Porsche 718 Boxster is best?
Even though the limited-edition 25th anniversary Boxster GTS is the most expensive GTS model you can buy, the Boxster Spyder is the very best model as it offers the most power and is the most fun car to drive. Also, the Boxster Spyder is the top-of-the-line Boxster model anyway, so it makes sense for it to be the best model out of them all.
The 25th anniversary model is also great, but it does not differ from a standard Boxster GTS all that much. Either way, all 6-cylinder 718 Boxster models are amazing, and hardly anyone can ever dispute that.
What is the difference between the Porsche Boxster and Cayman?
The essential difference between these two is that the Cayman is a hardtop 2-seater sports car and the Boxster is a 2-seater convertible. This is essentially the main difference mechanically between the two. However, you can tell that the Cayman is the more rigid option of the two.
This is why you can buy a GT4 RS Cayman which is the most capable 718 Model on the market. The GT4 RS starts at $143,050 which is enough to buy two well-specified entry-level Boxster models.
Is the Porsche Boxster a safe car?
Even though most people think that the Boxster is not a safe car, it is. It is not often that crash organizations test low-volume cars, but IIHS states that the Boxster earns a stellar 5-star safety rating in almost all categories.
Yes, the Boxster may not seem like the safest car on the road, but Porsche is known to make some of the world’s most overengineered cars that can easily deceive the eye.
