Porsche Boxster Review, Specs & Performance

Overview of the Porsche Boxster

Engines and performance for the Porsche Boxster

The Porsche 718 Boxster dispenses with the carmaker's famous six-cylinder engine and makes do with a 2.0 litre four-cylinder version. While this doesn't deliver the famous Porsche soundtrack, it does offer decent levels of performance. The 2.0 litre petrol engine produces 300 HP to help propel the car to 62 mph in 5.1 seconds. There's also a 2.5 litre engine available for the Boxster S, which produces 350 HP and a sprint time of 4.6 seconds. The fuel economy for both models is around 35 mpg, though it will be less should you put the sports car through its paces.

Equipment and handling

As a roadster, the Porsche Boxster really does set the standard for other car makers to meet and the roof is easy to put up and down - it takes around 10 seconds while the car is moving at speeds of up to 30mph. The interior has been well-designed and it's a luxurious and comfortable place to enjoy with a range of choices for upholstery, seat styles and trim finishes. There's a very good 7-inch touchscreen housing the satnav and smartphone connectivity and the standard equipment list includes stability control to help deliver confidence when driving. The Porsche 718 Boxster has excellent levels of grip and a suspension that helps underpin confidence, particularly when cornering which the Boxster is better at than most of its convertible rivals. There's an option for adaptive dampers so the driver can adjust the suspension whenever necessary to be comfortable, soft or sporty to enjoy their driving experience. The handling is also boosted by the manual and automatic transmissions - which has paddle shifters on the steering wheel - both of which are smooth performers and help deliver a great Porsche driving experience. Feedback from the steering is precise so the driver knows what is going on. Other standard kit includes alloy wheels, air conditioning, ABS and some models feature traction control and sport seats. Essentially, while the new four-cylinder engine upset Porsche purists there's no doubt that the Porsche 718 Boxster is one of the best roadsters currently available and for those who want a practical and fun car to drive, then it's a convertible that should be on your shortlist.

More information about the Porsche Boxster

Why not have a look at the Boxster on the official Porsche UK company website and get the latest news about it at The Porsche Owners' Club UK.