The 2022 Porsche 718 Boxster is the entry point to the world of drop-top Porsche sports cars. Porsche has been building versions of the Boxster since 1997 and it introduced the current, fourth-generation model for 2017. The only change for 2022 is that the 718 Boxster is now included in Porsche’s paint-to-sample program.
The Porsche 718 Boxster merits a look from anyone looking for a fun-to-drive luxury convertible. It’s not prohibitively expensive by class standards, at least not until you start delving into options. The 2022 Porsche Boxster climbs toward the top of the luxury sports car class partly on the strength of its well-rounded performance and high predicted reliability score.
The Porsche 718 Boxster is a great luxury sports car. For driving appeal, this roadster is one of the best cars in the class, thanks to its punchy engines, scorching acceleration, and athletic handling. Its interior falls more in the “fine” category. Porsche’s build quality is world-class, but it’s not as luxurious as rivals.
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 2022 Porsche 718 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.
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