2022 Porsche 718 Boxster

　　

2022 Porsche 718 Boxster Review

byAlex NishimotoCorrespondent

　　Alex Nishimoto has worked in the automotive industry since 2007. He was a staff writer for MotorTrend for 10 years and since then has contributed to CNET, PRI, AutoWise and other publications.

　　From the late 1980s through the mid-'90s, Porsche's sales plummeted to record lows until a new model, the mid-engine Boxster convertible sports car, arrived to reverse that trend. More affordable than a 911 yet still riotously fun to drive, the Boxster became Porsche's best-seller overnight, a distinction it would enjoy until the introduction of the Cayenne SUV. Today, the successor to that two-seat convertible (now renamed 718 Boxster) possesses many of the same attributes that made the original a resounding success.

　　But one area where the 718 Boxster falls short is its base engine. Much to Porsche purists' dismay, when the Boxster and its Cayman hardtop sibling were redesigned in 2017 their six-cylinder engines were replaced by a turbocharged flat-four. It provides adequate thrust but little aural satisfaction. For those who miss the growl of a naturally aspirated flat-six, there's the GTS 4.0 introduced last year and the range-topping 718 Boxster Spyder, though both of those are out of reach for many. Even the four-cylinder Boxster can get pricey once you spec it with the options you want.

　　But for those who can afford it, the 718 Boxster delivers an unparalleled connection to the road. You'll be hard-pressed to find a sports car that rivals the Boxster's sharp handling and crisp steering response, but its competitors include the Chevrolet Corvette convertible, BMW Z4 and Jaguar F-Type convertible. All three of those can be had for less than a GTS 4.0 (the Boxster model we recommend). But if you're looking for the most engaging sports car experience, the Porsche is the way to go.

　　

Which 718 Boxster does zzdcar recommend?

Get the GTS 4.0 for its powerful and glorious-sounding six-cylinder engine. As an added bonus, you also get 20-inch wheels, upgraded sport seats and the Sport Chrono package, which sharpens the response of the engine, transmission, suspension and steering.

　　

Porsche 718 Boxster models

The 2022 718 Boxster roadster is available in six trim levels: the base Boxster, Boxster T, Boxster S, Boxster GTS 4.0, top-of-the-line Boxster Spyder and the limited-edition Boxster 25 Years, which came out last year and continues into 2022 on a very limited basis. All are rear-wheel-drive and come standard with a six-speed manual transmission. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (Porsche calls it PDK) is offered as an option. Feature highlights include:

　　718 Boxster

　　The base Boxster comes reasonably well equipped with:

　　Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (300 horsepower, 280 lb-ft of torque) 18-inch alloy wheels with summer performance tires Power-operated fabric convertible top Xenon headlights Front and rear parking sensors Dual-zone automatic climate control Heated front seats with power backrest adjustment Partial leather upholstery 7-inch touchscreen Six-speaker audio system Apple CarPlay smartphone integration718 Boxster T

　　The Boxster T is a slightly sharper performance coupe and includes all of the base Boxster's features as well as:

　　20-inch alloy wheels Variable-damping sport suspension lowered 20 millimeters Limited-slip differential and torque vectoring (can enhance traction and agility when accelerating or cornering) Sport Chrono package Lightweight nylon door handles718 Boxster S

　　The Boxster S is similar to the base model but increases the performance quotient with:

　　Turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (350 hp, 309 lb-ft) 19-inch alloy wheels718 Boxster GTS 4.0

　　The GTS 4.0 gets a similar array of performance upgrades as the Boxster T. It also has:

　　Naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six-cylinder engine (394 hp, 309 lb-ft of torque or 317 lb-ft with the PDK) 20-inch wheels GTS-specific trim details Upgraded sport seatsBoxster 25 Years

　　This limited-edition Boxster pays homage to the original Boxster concept car from 1993. It's based on the GTS 4.0 but has:

　　Copper-colored wheels and exterior trim Red fabric top and leather upholstery Power-adjustable seats718 Boxster Spyder

　　The Spyder goes all in with:

　　Slight power bump for the flat-six engine (414 hp, 309 lb-ft or 317 lb-ft with the PDK) Adjustable sport suspension lowered 30 mm High-performance summer tires Spyder-specific trim and styling details Manually operated lightweight convertible topPorsche also offers a long list of appearance, performance and technology options. Significant ones to consider include:

　　LED headlights Ventilated seats Upgraded Bose or Burmester sound system Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Boxster and the car in front) Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)

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