2017 Porsche 718 Boxster Review

The success of the latest iteration of the Boxster will be defined by the new engines. That the 718 models are significantly faster than the old Boxster is undeniable. The increase in torque makes a huge difference in how the car feels, with midrange overtaking ability much improved. Above 2,000 rpm, when the turbo really comes to life, the Boxster pulls hard all the way to 7,500 rpm. The S delivers more off-the-line punch and is both subjectively and objectively faster, but few will feel that the standard 718 wants for performance.

Anyone who's driven the old model, though, will bemoan the loss of the signature soundtrack. The extraordinary intake wail and sonorous crescendo of the old six-cylinder engine has gone. This glorious noise, which has characterized the car since the 1997 original, was a key part of the Porsche's appeal and helped it feel special even at low speed. Porsche has engineered some pops and burbles into the exhaust of the new engine and it's not unappealing, but it fails to excite the senses to the same extent.

Engine aside, the key focus for the development of the 718 has been to improve the car's agility. To this end, the suspension and power steering have been retuned. The Boxster has always been the driver's choice in the premium roadster class, and these changes have only increased its margin of superiority. The midengine configuration gives the car a poise and composure that's peerless and also helps give the car a different feel from its pricier sibling, the 911.

The S is additionally available with PASM sport suspension, which lowers the ride height by 0.86 inch and offers retuned dampers. In our experience, though, this setup is unnecessarily stiff on all but the smoothest roads.  The standard suspension is more agreeable on the sorts of less-than-perfect roads you usually drive on and still offers impressive levels of grip and control.

Both the standard six-speed manual and optional paddle-shift PDK automatic gearbox are fine companions, and the choice comes down to personal taste and budget. If you additionally opt for the Sport Chrono package on a PDK equipped car, Porsche provides a Sport Response button that primes the car to deliver optimal performance for 20 seconds. In truth, it's a bit of a gimmick.

Porsche has improved the power steering so that it now boasts plenty of driver feedback. Grip from the new, wider tires is prodigious and the uprated brakes stop with greater alacrity. The days are long gone when anyone could deride the Boxster as, "not a proper Porsche." This is a fine sports car in its own right, and although the new engine lacks the character of the old, it's still a clear class leader.

The interior of the 718 Boxster is a subtle evolution of the old model and continues to borrow heavily from its big brother, the 911 Carrera. It's a simple, elegant design in the best German tradition, and it's beautifully made. Few could argue that the quality of the fixtures and fittings or the craftsmanship is not befitting of the Boxster's lofty price tag. Of its rivals, only the Audi TT Roadster can match the aesthetic and tactile appeal of the Porsche.

There's enough room for drivers who are well over 6 feet tall -- not something that could be said of early Boxsters -- and the driving position will be ideal for just about anybody. There's a good view forward, but the design of the fabric roof badly comprises over-the-shoulder visibility. The roof itself, though, is exceptionally easy to operate, rising or falling in a little over 10 seconds at the touch of a button at speeds up to 31 mph.

Interior storage space is sufficient, with pockets in the doors, center console and the decent-sized glovebox. The Boxster's cupholders, which pivot and unfold from the dashboard, remain a work of art and add to the feeling that you're in something special. For a roadster, luggage space is impressive, too, with a deep, well-shaped 5.3-cubic-foot trunk in the nose supplemented by a shallower 4.4-cubic-foot space in the rear. Together they offer plenty of versatility, although golf clubs must ride in the passenger seat or stay home.

The primary change to the interior compared with the old model concerns the 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that's shared with the 911. This manages everything from the telephone to the suspension and can be upgraded with different modules, including satellite navigation and Apple CarPlay.