Porsche 718 Boxster Review: The Benchmark Roadster, Refined

The Porsche 718 Boxster has always been the sports roadster to beat – a car that perfectly blends Porsche’s racing heritage with everyday usability. Among our customers, it’s one of the most popular models, and with good reason: the latest version takes everything that made the Boxster great and makes it even sharper.

Turbo Power, More Choice

The biggest change in the 718 range is under the bonnet. Porsche has swapped its old naturally aspirated six-cylinder engines for a new family of turbocharged four-cylinder “boxer” engines – more powerful, more efficient, and full of character.

• 718 Boxster (2.0L Turbo) – 300PS, 0–62mph in 4.7s (with PDK).

• 718 Boxster S (2.5L Turbo) – 350PS, 0–62mph in 4.2s.

• 718 Boxster T – same 2.0L engine as the base car, but with a more driver-focused setup.

• 718 GTS 4.0 – 400PS, naturally aspirated six-cylinder for the purists.

• 718 Spyder – range-topper with 420PS and open-air theatre at its best.

A six-speed manual comes standard, but most customers opt for the superb seven-speed PDK dual-clutch auto – lightning fast when pushing hard, smooth when cruising.

Handling: The Magic Ingredient

If there’s one thing that makes the Boxster stand out, it’s the handling. With its mid-engine layout, the car feels perfectly balanced, and Porsche has further refined it with a retuned chassis and more direct steering. The result? A roadster that’s incredibly engaging on twisty back roads but still comfortable enough to drive every day.

Options like Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) and the Sport Chrono Package let you fine-tune the car to your driving style. The latter even includes a Sport Response button – hit it, and you get maximum engine response for 20 seconds, perfect for overtaking.

Styling Updates

At first glance, the changes are subtle, but they give the Boxster a fresher, more aggressive look. A wider front stance, larger cooling intakes, new headlights, and a redesigned rear with an integrated Porsche light strip all add up to a car that looks as good as it drives.

Inside, build quality has stepped up again, now that all Boxsters are built at Porsche’s main Zuffenhausen factory. The cabin feels premium, with a layout inspired by the Carrera GT supercar. Standard Porsche Communication Management (PCM) brings a slick touchscreen interface, Bluetooth, and full connectivity.

And of course, the fully electric hood is beautifully simple to use, tucking away neatly without fuss.

Practicality and Everyday Use

It might be a two-seat roadster, but the Boxster is more usable than you’d expect. With two luggage compartments – a front “frunk” and a rear boot – there’s space for weekend bags or even a small weekly shop. Many of our customers use it as a daily car, and the practicality doesn’t disappoint.

Pricing and Equipment

• Base Boxster 2.0L Turbo – from around £47,000.

• Boxster T – ~£52,000.

• Boxster S 2.5L Turbo – ~£56,000.

• GTS 4.0 – ~£66,000.

• Spyder – ~£74,000.

Standard kit includes 19-inch alloys, sports mode, remote-control hood, and PCM infotainment. You can add luxuries like navigation, premium audio, and online features, but even base cars feel special.

Every new Boxster also comes with a Porsche Experience Centre session at Silverstone – the perfect way to learn what it can really do.

Efficiency and Running Costs

For a performance roadster, the Boxster is relatively efficient. The base 2.0 with PDK manages up to 33.2mpg and 194g/km CO2, while the S returns around 30mpg. Porsche’s clever “sailing mode” and virtual gears in the PDK help keep fuel use down on longer runs.

Residual values are traditionally strong, meaning you’ll get a good chunk back at resale – one reason it’s so popular with customers who lease through us.

Why Customers Love It

The 718 Boxster continues to be the benchmark roadster. It’s compact, stylish, and fun – but also practical enough to live with day-to-day. Customers tell us it’s the car that makes them smile every single time they drive it. And for those stepping into their first Porsche, it’s often the perfect entry point.

Yes, some purists still pine for the old naturally aspirated flat-six. But with more power, sharper handling, and stronger efficiency, this latest Boxster has moved the game on.

In fact, many 911 owners admit the Boxster feels purer, thanks to its balance and connection with the road. That’s why it remains one of the most desirable Porsches you can lease.

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