2018 Porsche 718 Boxster
Pros
- Precise and nimble handling promotes driver fun and confidence
- Muscular and efficient turbo four-cylinder engines
- PDK is one of the best dual-clutch transmissions
- Takes less than 10 seconds to open or close the roof
Cons
- Engines lack the aural flair of earlier Boxsters
- Some features you'd expect to be standard are optional
- Breadth of options allows personalization, but gets pricy in a hurry
2018 Porsche 718 Boxster pricing
in Ashburn, VAWhich 718 Boxster does Edmunds recommend?
Edmunds' Expert Review
Overall rating
The Porsche 718 Boxster is a convertible sports car in the classical sense, which is to say it's focused primarily on nimble handling and driver enjoyment. We wouldn't want it any other way. Much of its allure comes from its mid-engine configuration, meaning the engine sits between the seats and rear wheels. This gives the 718 Boxster (and its fixed-roof 718 Cayman sibling) a handling balance prized by car enthusiasts.
The Boxster received the 718 name last year as part of a complete redesign. Though there were many significant changes as part of the update, the biggest was the switch from six-cylinder engines to more efficient and powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engines. While the new engines lack the high-revving charm of the old ones, it's hard to argue with the performance increase they bring. Even the cheapest Boxster you can buy is now cranking out 300 horsepower.
Of course, being a Porsche, the Boxster can also be fitted with all sorts of customization options. Some enhance the car's performance while others are just for visual flair. But it's the car's core qualities, including its sublime steering and handling, plus the carefree nature of owning a two-seat roadster, that will have you hooked for life.
2018 Porsche 718 Boxster configurations
The 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster is a two-seat, rear-wheel-drive soft-top convertible sports car that is available in a base or S trim level. The primary difference between the two is the size and output of the turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The S has the more powerful version. Porsche offers an exhaustive supply of options for both trims.
The base 718 Boxster comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder (300 hp, 280 pound-feet of torque) and 18-inch wheels. Aside from the badges, you can tell it apart from the S by its black brake calipers and single central tailpipe.
The 718 Boxster S is furnished with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder (350 hp, 309 lb-ft of torque). It is visually differentiated from the base model by 19-inch wheels, two centrally mounted exhaust tips and red brake calipers.
With minor exception, both trim levels start with the same level of standard equipment, including a power-folding soft top, xenon headlights, a six-speed manual transmission, front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, power and heated side mirrors, automatic climate control, sport seats, partial leather upholstery, Bluetooth, a touchscreen display, and a six-speaker sound system with satellite radio and two USB ports.
Both trims also have equal access to Porsche's exhaustive options list, providing numerous opportunities for prospective owners to personalize their car.
Performance choices include Porsche's PDK seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic, carbon-ceramic brakes, an adaptive suspension, a louder exhaust, and a mechanical rear differential that also includes a brake-actuated torque vectoring system. The Sport Chrono package adds a stopwatch to the top of the center console, a drive mode selection dial to the bottom right of the steering wheel, and a less intrusive stability control setting. When optioned with the PDK transmission, the package also includes launch control.
Interior options to look out for include upgraded seats (heating, ventilation and more power adjustments), upgraded leather upholstery, and keyless ignition and entry. Porsche offers two upgrades for the standard stereo: a 10-speaker Bose system and a 12-speaker Burmester system. Apple CarPlay is available through Porsche Connect, while a Plus variant of that option adds 4G LTE connectivity. Safety options include adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and mitigation, turn-adapting headlights and blind-spot monitoring,
Porsche also provides seemingly endless ways to customize the 718 Boxster's interior and exterior, from wheel style to the color of the soft top to completely custom body paint. The interior offers multiple leather and stitching styles, and trims are available in wood, aluminum and simulated suede.
Trim tested
Driving
Comfort
Interior
Utility
Technology
Consumer reviews
There are no consumer reviews for the 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster.
2018 Porsche 718 Boxster video
CARLOS LAGO: Hey, I'm Carlos Lago. And thank you for continuing to watch this channel. As you can tell from some of the recent things we've put up, from the three-truck comparison test to the reviews, and some of the adventure videos, we're trying to do more. And we're trying to do it better. We're going to start trying new types of shows too, including one that's going to air as soon as I'm done talking. Let us know if you like it. And let us know if you don't. We want to make it better for you to watch. With that in mind, be sure to like, comment, subscribe, that whole thing. And thanks again for watching. [MUSIC PLAYING] This is the Porsche Boxster GTS. And ahead of me is the Edmond's test track. We here in sport-plus mode. I'm going to engage launch control. And we're going to talk about how this thing drives and handles over the course of a lap or two. Let's do it. So the GTS comes with more power. And it's basically outfitted with all the performance options that you would want to have on your Porsche Boxster or Porsche Cayman. They're functionally the same car. One has a roof. And one doesn't. So we've got around 365 horsepower. More important though, we have our improved handling attributes. And so far, I can say this thing for drives really well. I'm going to try to not complain too much about how the engine sounds. I feel like I've been very forward in the past about my dislike for it. I'll say, in this situation, it's more linear than I remember it being. It delivers a good amount of power, around 365 horsepower. But it's a really nice addition, in terms of power delivery, to the way this car handles, which is a very smooth, and traceable, and confidence-inspiring character this car has. I really feel like I can challenge these corners, both on entry speed and on throttle out. And the whole car just feels really good, especially around this high-speed left hander, dig into to the throttle. And there's just a lot of traction on the way out. We're supposed to keep these to one lap. I'm going to do two, because I'm having fun. Out of this low-speed right hander, no sign of oversteer, maybe because I'm not challenging the gas too much on the exit. But man, this thing is delivering a lot of speed, but a lot of handling capability, too. It's stable, but not in a way that feels limiting. It feels really enjoyable to push out of a corner, not with the front tires, but with the rears urging you forward. Braking power is very strong, but predictable, too. It's smooth, a little bit off line there, but that's OK. You have a bit of control over where the car is going to end up through a corner. And a good amount of speed right on the exit there, you can hear that rumble strip. That tells me I'm just about out of road. Dive into the super slow right hander, now we've got the tires working. You can hear them chattering away up to this uphill complex. I've got the PDK in its automatic mode. PDK is what Porsche calls their dual-clutch transmission. And it's shifting exactly where I'd want it to be in its sport-plus setting. It has the logic that puts me in the gear that I'd choose to be if I wanted to. And that means I don't have to worry about shifting. I can worry about keeping the car on its path. Now, one downsides, I've got to say-- and I'll experience it through this right hander, too. The speaker grill that my left knee is resting on feels like a cheese grater. And that does not feel good. I'm going to have to make sure I don't need to apply a Bandaid afterwards. But that's been a quick spin in the Porsche Boxster GTS. And I have to say, it's a very nice handling and fun to drive sports car. And if you can live with the way that engine sounds, I think you're going to be in for a treat with this one. If you like what you see, keep it tuned, and be sure to subscribe. And for all your car shopping needs, be sure to visit edmunds.com.
Porsche 718 Boxster GTS Test Track
Carlos Lago gets behind the wheel of the new 2019 Volvo XC40 T5 AWD R-Design for the first time at the Edmunds test track. What is it? This sharp-looking subcompact luxury SUV packs a lot of charm into a tight package, including a spunky turbo engine, a comfortable ride, and a strong suite of technology features. It's obviously not intended for the high-speed cornering implied by a track, and that's why we treat this testing surface like the curvy road you might have nearby.
Features & Specs
Safety
Our experts’ favorite 718 Boxster safety features:
- Dynamic Cornering Lights
- Helps you see on curvy roads in the dark by swiveling the low beams when you turn the steering wheel.
- Roll-Over Protection
- Shields occupants in the event of a rollover with high-strength structures in front of and behind the seats.
- Speed-Dependent Headlight Range Control
- Ensures a clear view at night by adjusting the range of the headlights depending on vehicle speed.
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See your car's valuePorsche's entry-level convertible sports car has received a thorough redo last year that included a new name: the 718 Boxster. Porsche added the 718 designation to the name as an homage to the company's 718 race cars of the late 1950s. The biggest change was the switch to turbocharged flat-four engines, which provide more power and fuel efficiency than the six-cylinder engines they replace.
The interior offers plenty of room for 6-footers, though over-the-shoulder visibility isn't very good. All the more reason to drop the power-operated top, which folds down in just over 10 seconds. Two small trunks offer adequate luggage space, though golf clubs will be relegated to the passenger seat.
The 718 Boxster comes with a midmounted 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that delivers 300 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels. Porsche claims zero-to-60-mph acceleration of 4.9 seconds. The EPA rates the 2.0-liter Boxster's fuel economy at 25 mpg combined (22 city/29 highway) for the seven-speed, dual-clutch PDK automatic; the manual transmission returns 1 mpg lower.
Opt for the Boxster S, and the engine is bumped up to 2.5 liters with 350 hp. Porsche claims a zero-to-60-mph run at 4.4 seconds for the manual and 4 seconds flat for cars with PDK and the Sport Chrono package. Top speed is 177 mph, and the Boxster S is EPA rated at 24 mpg combined (21 city/28 highway) with the PDK automatic. Manuals trail those figures by about 2 mpg.
While we miss the previous Boxster's six-cylinder soundtrack, the handling remains sharper than ever. The balance of the chassis will satisfy novice and expert drivers alike, while the sticky tires and accurate steering ensure confidence. The Boxster S offers an optional Porsche Active Suspension Management, with a lowered ride height and upgraded dampers, but we think the ride is too stiff on roads that aren't glass smooth. The standard suspension rides better on less than perfect pavement and still offers outstanding levels of grip.
The Boxster is offered in base and S models, differentiated primarily by their engine. Both models now include more standard equipment, and in keeping with Porsche tradition there are enough extra-cost options to literally double the price of the car. Edmunds can help find the perfect 2018 Porsche Boxster for you.
2018 Porsche 718 Boxster Overview
The 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster is offered in the following submodels: 718 Boxster Convertible. Available styles include 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M), S 2dr Convertible (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M), and GTS 2dr Convertible (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M).
What do people think of the 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster and all its trim types. 0 Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2018 718 Boxster.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2018 718 Boxster featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
What's a good price for a New 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster?
2018 Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 2dr Convertible (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
Available Inventory:We are showing 1 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 2dr Convertible (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M) vehicle(s) available in the in the Ashburnarea.
Which 2018 Porsche 718 Boxsters are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster for sale near. There are currently 5 new 2018 718 Boxsters listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $94,950 and mileage as low as 10 miles. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to find cheap vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster. Then select Edmunds special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to $500 on a used or CPO 2018 718 Boxster available from a dealership near you.
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Should I lease or buy a 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
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