Used Porsche 718 Boxster 2016-present review

Some things are immutable in our changing world: the passing of the seasons, the sun rising and the Porsche Boxster being an open-top, two-seater mid-engined sports car.

Well, the latest version of the Boxster is still an open-top, two-seater mid-engined sports car, but whereas for its previous generations - stretching all the way back to 1996 - we could always rely on it having a beautifully balanced and naturally aspirated flat-six engine, this 718 version has a turbocharged flat-four instead. To an enthusiast, such things are important, as the flat-four, despite being more powerful than the unit it replaced, will be down on response and delivery and short of the sort of aural pleasures the previous car enjoyed.

Don’t think of it as short of oomph, though. The lowest-rung Boxster gets a 296bhp 2.0-litre engine, while the Boxster S packs a 2.5-litre with 345bhp. The GTS offers up 265bhp from its 2.5 engine. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard, and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic ‘box is an option.

However, there were those who still hankered after six cylinders, and in 2019 Porsche reintroduced a naturally aspirated flat-six engine, the 394bhp GTS. Joy was unconfined in enthusiasts' circles as a Boxster once again issued a classy six-cylinder burble. It goes like the clappers, of course, and sounds fantastic.

Equipment-wise, the standard Boxster comes with electric windows, air-con, 18in alloy wheels, xenon headlights and part-Alcantara seats. The S adds 19in wheels, while the GTS comes with discrete styling upgrades, 20in wheels, lowered adaptive suspension, a limited-slip differential, a sports exhaust and the Sports Chrono Pack.

On the road the Boxster is quick. Even the 2.0-litre car can sprint from 0 to 62mph in just 5.1 seconds, and go on to a top speed of 170mph, while the S lowers the time to 4.6 seconds and raises the flat-out speed to 177mph. The GTS can hit 180mph.

But these figures only tell half the story, because what’s always separated the Boxster from the also-rans in this class is its delicate mid-engined handling balance, and just how damn enjoyable it is to drive. This one is no different, with wonderfully direct steering that is well weighted and linear in its responses, and eager handling that makes the car brilliantly driveable at any speed, with endless grip and remarkable poise thrown in for good measure.

It even rides well, with a suppleness unknown in other lesser sports cars. It’s firm, of course, but it never threatens to become uncomfortable.

Inside is a comfortable, pleasant and well put together interior with a great driving position that places the driver central to the action, in a perfect location in front of the controls. Visibility is reasonably good, too, for such a low-slung roadster, and many cars will have been specified with the optional reversing sensors or, if you’re lucky, a camera.

As standard, you get a crisp-looking and easy to use 7.0in touchscreen, with Bluetooth, a DAB radio and sat-nav, as well as Apple CarPlay. All the switchgear has a solid, high-quality feel, and all the buttons are well damped. There’s plenty of room for two to sit without brushing shoulders, and although storage space is rather limited there are two small-ish boots: one in the nose and the other behind the engine.

If you're interested in buying a used Porsche 718 Boxster, or any of the other cars mentioned here, check out our used car classifieds site here.

Boxsters are popular cars and residual values are high, so you’ll still be paying a fair amount for one. You’ll need between £32,000 and £35,000 to buy a good 718 Boxster, this for a 2016 car with an average mileage for the year and a full service history, bought from a trade or private seller. Up the wedge to between £35,000 and £40,000 for a 2017 or 2018 model, bought from an independent dealer, and between £40,000 and £50,000 for a 2018 or 2019 bought from a franchised dealer. Have upwards of £60,000 to spend on a nearly new 2022 model.

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Obviously, the Boxster is a sports car and it’s amazingly quick so don’t expect miracles when it comes to fuel economy. The most abstemious version is the 2.0, which has an official NEDC average consumption of 38.2mpg, with corresponding CO2 emissions of 168g/km. The 2.5 S manages 34.9mpg, while the GTS claims 31.9mpg. Under the newer, more realistic WLTP tests the 2.0 averages 32.5mpg and the 2.5 29.1mpg.

Tax for cars registered before April 2017 will be based on CO2 emissions, and will be fairly high, while cars registered after that date will pay a flat rate, currently £150 a year. However, all Boxsters cost over £40,000 new, and as such are subject to a luxury car supplementary tax, currently £325 a year.

Insurance groups are high, too, ranging from 44 for the 2.0-litre car up to 49 for the GTS. Servicing will be expensive, and is best carried out by proper Porsche specialists. Some garages operate a fixed-price servicing plan, with costs for a minor service starting at £485 for a Boxster.

The 2.0-litre version isn’t much slower on paper than the other two, and on the road it’s more than fast enough. It’s also a fraction cheaper to buy and run, so it’s the one we’d seek out.

Our favourite Porsche Boxster: 2.0 718 Boxster

The evergreen Audi TT is a cracker, whether as a coupe or a convertible roadster, with a smooth, eager range of engines, darty handling and a beautiful interior. It’s as fast, in some of its variants and in many of its ways, as the Boxster, but perhaps lacks the special sparkle of the Porsche.

The Mercedes-Benz SLC is a fine drop-top car whose purpose is more boulevard cruiser than out-and-out sports car, and though it’s well equipped and good to sit in it’s not as much fun to drive as the purposeful Boxster.

If you're interested in buying a used Porsche 718 Boxster, or any of the other cars mentioned here, check out our used car classifieds site here.

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