2024 Porsche 718 Boxster Spyder RS

　　

2024 Porsche 718 Boxster Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　The 2024 Porsche 718 Boxster is simply one of the best sports cars you can buy today. It may not be the fastest or the most expensive, but it is exquisitely balanced to deliver one of the most engaging driving experiences at any price. Typically, boasts like these are reserved for the top model in a carmaker's lineup, but the Boxster and its Cayman hardtop sibling are positioned more as entry points into the Porsche brand. It is still a Porsche, though, and a starting price of $70,000 is far from affordable for many shoppers.

　　

zzdcar spotlight: Performance

With nearly perfect nose-to-tail balance, 300 horsepower and a light 3,000-pound curb weight, even the base Boxster can thrill drivers. Its rattly four-cylinder exhaust note is a big turnoff, though, which is why the six-cylinder is our choice, along with the added power and improved handling it brings. For enthusiasts, the Boxster can feel as though it's an extension of the driver rather than a vehicle the driver's sitting in, and that sensation is rare these days. The big news this year is the top Spyder RS that sneaks in a slightly detuned 493-hp Porsche 911 GT3 engine.

　　

Competitors to consider

There aren't a lot of convertibles being made today and even fewer are sports cars comparable to the Porsche 718 Boxster. The Chevrolet Corvette convertible is the closest rival, with a similar mid-engine layout and a burly V8. The BMW M4 is also a stout performer and benefits from rear seats and a traditional trunk, while the BMW Z4 is more of a luxury tourer than an all-out sports car. We suggest starting with the Porsche.

　　

Which 718 Boxster does zzdcar recommend?

We recommend spending the extra cash to upgrade to the GTS 4.0. Even though it's $25,000-plus more than the base model, we think it's worth it. The six-cylinder engine sounds significantly better than the rough four-cylinder, and when combined with the added power it delivers a much more inspiring drive. After all, isn't this what a genuine sports car like the Boxster is all about?

　　

Porsche 718 Boxster models

The 2024 718 Boxster roadster is available in five trim levels: the base Boxster, Boxster Style Edition, Boxster S, Boxster GTS 4.0 and top-of-the-line Boxster Spyder RS. All come standard with a six-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive except the Spyder RS, which includes the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (Porsche calls it PDK) that's optional on every other trim. 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 Pop-up rear spoiler Heated mirrors Xenon headlights Front and rear parking sensors Auto-dimming mirrors 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 Style Edition

　　The Style Edition trim lives up to its name with curated paint colors and unique design elements. Other upgrades include:

　　20-inch wheels Unique exterior trim and badging and graphics Contrasting interior trim and stitching Heated steering wheel Illuminated doorsill guards718 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 wheels Dual exhaust outlets718 Boxster GTS 4.0

　　The GTS 4.0 is where we start getting interested since it's the first model with the better engine. It enhances the experience with:

　　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 Upgraded brakes 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 Sport seats Sport steering wheel wrapped in synthetic suede Sport exhaust system GTS-specific trim details Upgraded sport seats718 Boxster Spyder RS

　　The Spyder RS is the top performer. It loses some comfort and luxury features such as heated seats and traditional interior door handles (replaced with a nylon strap) but adds:

　　Flat-six engine sourced from the Porsche 911 GT3 (493 hp, 331 lb-ft) Adjustable sport suspension lowered 30 mm High-performance summer tires Full bucket sport seats Spyder-specific trim and styling details Manually operated lightweight convertible top Navigation systemPorsche also offers a long list of appearance, performance and technology options, making it easy to personalize your 718 Boxster. Significant upgrades 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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