For the 2024 model year, Porsche 718 Boxster is making its final appearance in gas-only form. Next year, the new generation of Boxsters and Caymans will be all-electric, which means now is the time to consider buying one of these if you like and want a wonderfully loud, frenetic, and engaging mid-engine Porsche in coupe or convertible form.
If you’re bold enough and want to stand out even more, you can choose the unique Ruby Star Neo colour shown here with 20-inch white-painted wheels, which drew a lot of admiring glances and compliments from strangers and car enthusiasts alike during our time driving it.
Starting at just over $95,000, the Style Edition is priced well for a premium sporty convertible that can be driven hard all day on a track without issues. Along with brand prestige, what separates it from other competitors is that you have endless factory exterior, interior, and performance options to choose from to make it more personal and drive even better, so expect to spend at least another $6,000 to equip it with important features such as the Premium Package to get ventilated front seats and blind spot assist, the latter of which we highly recommend since it is difficult to check the passenger side blind spot when changing lanes due to the mid-engine design.
The turbocharged 2.0L flat-four engine produces 296 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. Those figures don’t seem high, but there is more than enough power to thrill even though this is the standard engine within the Boxster line-up (it can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5 seconds).
Torque is particularly rich at the lower rev range, and with the 6-speed manual transmission, it is a more engaging driving experience because you have more control and can rev the engine higher to enjoy its exhaust note, which for a 4-cylinder engine, still sounds menacing and turns heads.
The Boxster’s handling is top-notch because of its short wheelbase, balanced weight distribution, and responsive, communicative steering that lets you feel how well the tires are gripping. At high speeds, you can corner with full confidence as the car will remain stable and responsive to steering and gas pedal inputs. Both an adaptive suspension and torque-vectoring differential are available to improve handling further, but we think the car handles well enough without these.
For a 2-seat compact sports car, the interior was comfortable with high-quality leather seating surfaces, good lumbar support, and excellent seat bolsters. The cabin lacks some useful amenities like a wireless phone charger, centre console storage space, faster-charging USB-C ports, and secure cup holders, but all the buttons and switchgear are of high quality, easy to reach, and intuitive to use.
The Boxster features two cargo compartments, a deep space in the front (150 L) and a shallower one in the rear (122 L). Access to each compartment is easy as drivers can simply place a hand lightly below the front Porsche crest emblem or above the rear “718 Boxster” script when their keyfob is on them, and the invisible sensors will automatically unlock the cargo lids.
Two minor drawbacks to note include high-performance brake pads that dirty the wheels quickly (a common issue with German vehicles), and washer fluid nozzles for both the windshield and headlights that pump too strongly, which foams the emitted fluid and creates a wet, unsightly mess at the front of the vehicle that stains once dried.
If you can overlook the above, the 718 Boxster Style Edition is a worthy consideration if you’re looking for a well-engineered, well-proportioned sports car that provides a special driving experience without breaking the bank. It’s also your last chance to get a mid-engine Porsche with a gas-only powertrain.
