The Porsche Boxster is a sports car that makes it clear to others that life has treated you well. It also happens to be quick, brilliant to drive and even relatively economical on fuel.
It has got a rear wheel drive mechanism and the engine sits behind your head, which just happens to be the format F1 teams use in their race cars too.
The entry-level model has a 300hp 2.0-litre engine that can hurl the car from 0-62mph in just 5.1 seconds. The Boxster S meanwhile, has a 2.5-litre engine and 350hp, dropping that time down to just 4.6 seconds while still returning claimed fuel economy of 35mpg. There’s also a T model with the same power as the entry-level car, but has numerous performance options added, while the range-topping GTS gets the 2.5 boosted to 365hp.
HOW GOOD IS THE INTERIOR?
Talking about the interior, the Boxster’s interior looks better than ever with plastic quality that makes the Alfa Romeo and Lotus look pretty shameful. You can choose from a variety of seat styles, upholstery and trim finishes that let you get everything looking and feeling exactly how you want, although options are not cheap.
Quality is very high, with soft plastics everywhere from the top of the dash, top of the doors, central console – even the door bins and glovebox don’t feel cheap. All the switches and dials feel super solid, too.
The S adds a silver speedometer and aluminium pedals and partial leather seats
The T swaps the silver trim for black, has black door pulls rather than metal door handles and deletes the infotainment system in the name of saving weight. Seats are leather and cloth.
INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM
Moving to the infotainment system, Every Porsche Boxster comes with a 7.0-inch touchscreen. It’s quite an old system for Porsche now – cars like the Panamera, 911 and Cayenne come with a brighter, widescreen system.
Still, it isn’t bad – it’s bright and easy to read with a clear menu structure, even if some of the on-screen buttons are quite small given the screen’s modest size. That means using it while driving requires more patience and technique than you need in a BMW Z4 or Audi TT with their rotary dial systems.
Indeed, DAB radio, Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay are all included, but there’s no Android Auto. And it’s disappointing that Porsche’s standard six-speaker stereo system sounds so modest; it’s worth investigating the optional Bose stereo for improved quality.
HOW PRACTICAL IS THIS CAR?
Practicality of the car, well lets start with the passenger space. Even the Boxster’s standard sports seats get electric adjustment on the backrest, while their manual forwards and backwards is simple to use and extends a decent distance. The manual steering wheel adjustment is also very generous.
It’s possible to upgrade your sports seats to include more electric adjustment, or go for super-sporty bucket seats that keep you locked in position, but are less forgiving.
Moving to the storage, since it’s a sports car so you’re not expecting MPV levels of storage, but the glove box is small, as is the cubby under an armrest between the seats and the door bins are good for a stick of celery, but not much else.
You’ll find a USB socket underneath the central armrest and another along with a 12v socket in the glovebox.
Now the Boot, The Porsche 718 Boxster’s boot is 275 litres, but split across a front and back boot. That’s only slightly less in total than a Z4 or Audi TT, but clearly less practical. There’s also a small space behind the seats for throwing a coat or small bag.
There aren’t many practical features save for a small light in the boot compartment, and a hook for a coat or suit behind the seats. Ultimately, nobody buying a Boxster will be looking for masses of space, but you’ll be able to squeeze a couple of weekend bags in both the front and back.
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
This is what the Boxster was built to do and it does it very well indeed. Both it’s performance and the capability to go over turns is quite impressive. BUT the car is a bit quiet…
Performance and Economy, There’s a choice of two engines, depending on which model you go for.
The entry-level model has a 300hp 2.0-litre engine that can hurl the car from 0-62mph in just 5.1 seconds. The Boxster S meanwhile, has a 2.5-litre engine and 350hp, dropping that time down to just 4.6 seconds while still returning claimed fuel economy of 35mpg.
There’s also a T model with the same power as the entry-level car, but that has numerous performance options added, while the range-topping GTS gets the 2.5 boosted to 365hp and the full suite of Porsche driving tech for the most visceral experience.
Driving The Boxster. The Boxster feels firm but well controlled in town over bumps. It certainly never feels outright uncomfortable, although a BMW Z4 and Audi TT Roadster are slightly more forgiving. Its brakes aren’t grabby and Porsche’s manual gearbox is one of the best around. That goes for its auto gearbox, too, which is smooth and responds to manual changes very quickly. Driving The Boxster.
Its stability systems don’t intrude much at all, and there’s also a Sport setting which allows more slip if necessary. You can also switch it off if you fancy your skills in the right environment. Ultimately, the Boxster is the best amongst its peers at going around corners, staying extremely flat and proving great fun when exploring its limits.
On the subject of its roof, it can be opened in around 10 seconds up to around 31mph, and once it’s down those onboard are protected well, even at 70mph on the motorway.
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