Overview
Most convertibles are a romantic way to enjoy the open road, but the 2022 Porsche 718 Boxster takes it a step further with its joyous handling and eager turbocharged powertrains. It shares its chassis and mechanical parts with the similarly sporty 718 Cayman coupe, but the Boxster’s cloth top opens the cabin to fresh air and the freeing feeling of the wind in your hair. Base models come with a turbocharged horizontally opposed four-cylinder, but speed freaks will gravitate toward the optional flat-six. The 718 Boxster may not have the cachet of Porsche’s iconic 911 sports car, but its focused chassis and lively nature make it hard to beat among other drop-top sports cars such as the Audi TT and the BMW Z4.
What’s New for 2022?
Two new colors join the Boxster’s palette for 2022: Shark Blue and Frozenberry Metallic. Porsche is also offering several new leather accessories, including leather floor mats and key covers. Speaking of keys, buyers can now customize their key fobs by having them painted to match their car’s exterior color.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
For those shopping without limits, the GTS 4.0 model—with its powerful and sonorous flat-six—is the Boxster to choose. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford to drop $90K on a two-seat convertible. We get that. So for those on more of a budget, the S model is where it’s at. The available PDK automatic transmission is excellent, but this car really calls for the manual. We’d recommend keeping the options to a minimum, selecting only the lowered suspension with adaptive dampers, a limited-slip rear differential, and ventilated seats.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Boxster offers three engines: a 300-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter flat-four, a 350-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four (on the S model), and a 394-hp 4.0-liter flat-six (on the GTS 4.0). Each comes paired with a truly satisfying six-speed manual transmission, but buyers can opt for Porsche’s clairvoyant seven-speed automatic. The base and S models are great fun and performed well in our testing. We haven’t had the opportunity to put our gear on the new GTS 4.0 model, but we have high expectations that it will impress us on the track. The Boxster’s handling and steering prowess inspire deep affection. The mid-engine layout helps the Boxster feel balanced and stable through corners, while the brilliantly communicative steering reacts quickly and accurately to even small inputs. Extras such as Porsche’s adaptive dampers and an available torque-vectoring rear differential only improve this car’s handling, but even base-spec Boxsters behave precisely the way we want them to.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The base Boxster, with a turbo 2.0-liter flat-four and six-speed manual, earns 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA. Opting for the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic earns buyers 1 mpg more in each category. The S and GTS models fare only slightly worse. We’ve tested both a base Boxster and an S on our 200-mile highway fuel-economy route, and both models outperformed their EPA ratings, with results of 33 mpg and 28 mpg, respectively. For more information about the Boxster’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The Boxster’s interior has a little more plastic than we’d expect in a car that costs this much, but buyers can cover the console lid, door-panel trim, and instrument-cluster top in leather for a relatively reasonable price. The Boxster’s two flimsy dash-mounted pop-out cupholders have limited utility and reveal a cultural disdain for driving with beverages—Germans don’t drink their Nachmittagskaffee while driving, after all. If you’re looking for a car that’ll hold your entire life within its cabin, look elsewhere. This two-seater is seriously lacking in room. And while neither the Boxster nor the Cayman has a truly useful storage space, each at least provides a front and rear cargo compartment. One carry-on suitcase fits in the back and two fit in the frunk.
Infotainment and Connectivity
We’d usually complain about a mere two USB ports, but given this car seats only two, how many more ports do you need? There’s also a standard CD player for those drivers who still listen to CDs. Buyers can opt for navigation and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Porsche now provides Apple CarPlay integration as standard fare, but Android Auto is still not offered.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The Boxster doesn’t have a lot of driver-assistance technology, but we’re at least glad about the standard backup camera and parking sensors. For more information about the Boxster’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard front and rear parking sensors
- Available automated emergency braking
- Available blind-spot monitoring
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Porsche offers a warranty package that is slightly above average for the class and provides longer bumper-to-bumper coverage than the Chevrolet Corvette. That said, it pales in comparison to the coverage offered on the Jaguar F-type. That car beats all challengers with the longest terms and a generous five years or 60,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance.
- Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for one year or 10,000 miles
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