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For the driving enthusiast, the two-seat roadster may be the closest you can get to a pure sports car experience. Eye-catching looks, strong performance, a powerful exhaust note, balanced handling, and the wind in your hair—this is what you get with a proper sports car. A perfect example—perhaps one of the best—is the Porsche 718 Boxster. It may not have all the bells and whistles of some competitors, but driving the Boxster is an absolute joy.
Photo: Perry Stern
The Porsche 718 Boxster hasn't changed much since its redesign for the 2016 model year when Porsche added the 718 moniker to the Boxster name. While powertrains remain the same for 2024, Porsche adds some flash to the lineup with the new Style Edition.
The Style Edition is available on the 718 Boxster and hardtop 718 Cayman, and it stands out with bright colors, a stripe down the middle of the hood, and “PORSCHE” adorning the bottom of the doors. These décor features are available in black or white. My test vehicle had the white option, which went nicely with the Gentian Blue exterior color. The 20-inch exclusive wheels on my Boxster were also white, as was the “718 Boxster” script on the car's rear.
For this review of the 2024 718 Boxster, Porsche provided a test vehicle equipped with Style Edition trim and an extensive options list that included:
The test vehicle's price was $96,165, including the $1,995 destination charge to ship the sports car from the Porsche assembly plant in Zuffenhausen, Germany, to your local dealership.
Photo: Perry Stern
By design, the 718 Boxster is not a large vehicle. Getting in with the top in place can require some contorting, especially for taller passengers. Ingress is much easier when the top is down. Once inside, though, the cabin is quite spacious, even with the top closed.
The seats are stylish and comfortable, with nice bolstering for excellent support during enthusiastic driving. My Boxster's optional Sport Seats Plus featured integrated headrests embossed with the Porsche crest. The seat back has a power adjustment, but moving it forward or backward is manual. You can also raise or lower the seats—again, with manual adjustment.
The materials used throughout the 718 Boxster have a premium vibe, with soft-touch points and leather trim on the dashboard, doors, seats, and center console. The Boxster still uses physical controls for most functions, unlike many newer models. Climate controls, including seat heating and ventilation, are nicely laid out for easy access by the driver, and there are knobs for volume and tuning.
Buttons for vehicle settings like suspension and exhaust adjustments are within easy reach of the driver. In the center are switches for raising and lowering the top, which goes up or down in about 10 seconds and operates at speeds up to 31 mph.
Cabin storage is limited in the Boxster, with shallow pockets in the doors and a slim space below the center armrest that can fit a mobile phone but not much more. Dual cupholders extend from behind a panel in front of the passenger seat, although they don't look capable of securing a beverage, especially during aggressive driving.
Photo: Perry Stern
The Porsche 718 Boxster is great fun to drive, but the infotainment system is somewhat lacking compared to other entries in this price range. Presented on a 7-inch display screen, the limited features included:
I easily connected my Samsung Galaxy S23+ Android phone via Bluetooth, which allowed for hands-free calling and limited music streaming. The audio system is good enough, and I like that Porsche has kept the physical audio controls. Android Auto is unavailable on the Boxster, but iPhone owners can use Apple CarPlay.
A native GPS navigation system is an option, but my test car was not so equipped. Without a navigation system or Android Auto and no place to put my phone with navigation visible, I had to find my way without any aids. But driving aimlessly in a Porsche 718 Boxster is still a pretty good day.
Photo: Perry Stern
The 2024 Porsche 718 Boxster Style Edition uses the model's base-level engine: a turbocharged 2.0-liter boxer (horizontally opposed) four-cylinder that delivers 300 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual gearbox is available. However, my test vehicle came with the seven-speed PDK (Doppelkupplung) dual-clutch automatic transmission.
While I would have preferred the engagement of the manual gearbox, the PDK operates smoothly with quick shifts, and it delivers better acceleration and fuel economy than the manual. With the PDK and optional Sport Chrono package, Porsche says the Boxster will reach 60 mph in a respectable 4.5 seconds on its way to a top speed of 171 mph.
As a two-seat roadster, the 718 Boxster is clearly for performance driving, but I found it an excellent option for daily use. Its small size makes it easy to maneuver through town or a tight parking lot, and the easily managed throttle provides smooth power delivery. But the small Porsche is most fun when tackling winding back roads, as I discovered when driving on my favorite route, which takes me to Hell (Michigan) and back.
I put the Boxster into Sport mode—easily done with a dial on the steering wheel. It adjusts the suspension, transmission, and throttle response for maximum performance while changing the exhaust tone to a pleasing, angry note. There are faster versions of the Boxster, but my test car delivered plenty satisfying acceleration.
Pushing the 718 Boxster through sweeping curves and tight turns is an absolute delight, as the steering is ultra-precise with excellent response. The chassis and suspension keep the roadster flat in the corners, and the car seems to beg to go faster. The brakes are strong and don’t fade, even after extensive heavy use. It's clear the Boxster would be a great track car.
Twisty roads are great fun in the Boxster, but it is perfectly competent when cruising at highway speeds. In a car that can do 170 mph, 70 isn't very taxing. The Boxster provided a comfortable and stable ride—even on the rougher Michigan highways. A windscreen between the seat backs helps keep the wind at bay, and with the windows raised, it's possible to carry on a conversation in normal tones, even with the top down.
During my time in the 718 Boxster, the trip computer indicated 24.1 mpg—quite respectable for a sports car and in line with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rating of 24 mpg combined.
Photo: Perry Stern
The 718 Boxster is a proper driver's car with impressive performance and handling. However, that also means the driver is responsible for keeping the roadster out of trouble, as Porsche offers limited advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) for the Boxster. Features include:
While the 718 Boxster has traction and stability control, common features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and rear cross-traffic warning are unavailable. My test vehicle did have blind-spot warning, but there was no adaptive cruise control.
Photo: Perry Stern
The Boxster doesn't look like it could handle much more than a small overnight bag, but surprisingly, the little roadster offers impressive cargo space. The rear trunk is somewhat shallow, but with 4.4 cubic feet of space, it can hold a duffel or several bags of groceries. Thanks to its mid-engine layout, there's an additional trunk, or "frunk," up front with 5.3 cubic feet of space, easily taking in two carry-on-size bags or a larger suitcase.
Considering its high level of performance, the 718 Boxster delivers decent fuel efficiency. According to the EPA, the Porsche gets 24 mpg combined with the PDK automatic transmission, giving it a range of about 341 miles. My drive in the Boxster resulted in 24.1 mpg showing on the trip computer, aligning with the EPA estimates.
At the time of writing, neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has published crashworthiness ratings for the 2024 Porsche 718 Boxster.
The 2024 Porsche 718 Boxster starts at $74,900 for the base-level trim, with the new Style Edition sharing the same powertrain with a starting price of $81,300. The more powerful Boxster S starts at $86,900, while the top-level GTS 4.0 comes in at $101,800. The prices shown do not include the $1,995 destination charge.
In the JD Power 2024 Initial Quality Study (IQS), the Lexus LC ranks highest in the Premium Sporty Car segment. The Porsche 911 and the Chevrolet Corvette are the next highest-ranked models.
In the JD Power 2023 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, the Porsche 911 ranks highest in the Premium Sporty Car segment. The Chevrolet Corvette is the next highest-ranked model.
Other 2024 718 Boxster competitors include the BMW Z4 and Jaguar F-Type.
Photo: Perry Stern
Regarding sports cars, few names are more recognizable than Porsche. The German automaker has branched out into SUVs and sedans like many of its rivals, but with exciting, fun-to-drive models like the 718 Boxster, its sports car reputation remains intact.
The 718 Boxster is one of the older models in the Porsche stable. While the lack of ADAS and basic infotainment systems are noticeable signs of age, overall performance is still stellar, even with the base-level powertrain. The Style Edition I drove provides a nice new flash with styling that may not appeal to everyone, but it certainly gets attention.
There are rumors that the end of the gas-powered Boxster is near, but I hope it sticks around for a bit longer. Those with the means should get the chance to have the pure sports car experience provided by the 2024 Porsche 718 Boxster.
Perry Stern has worked in the automotive industry for over 30 years and has always been a car enthusiast. Driving almost every new car on the market, Perry has written for multiple publications in addition to his work for JDPower.com. Recently relocated to southeast Michigan, Perry is still crazy about cars, especially his 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
