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Edmunds Rating
8.0 / 10
Consumer Rating
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2018 Porsche 718 Boxster Review

Pros & Cons

  • 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
  • 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
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Porsche 718 Boxster for Sale
List Price Range
$61,981 - $81,998
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Which 718 Boxster does Edmunds recommend?

There was a time where going with the upgraded power of the Boxster S was a no-brainer. It's a lot harder to choose now that even the base model is punching out 300 hp. The price difference between the two trims is significant, too, and you don't really get any extra features on the S. Therefore, we say go with the base 718 Boxster unless you're truly in love with the additional power of the S or GTS. Going with the base frees up more of your budget for options, too. On top of keyless entry and ignition, we'd also have to take the heated seats and steering wheel, as few pleasures compare to driving with the top down on a cool, foggy day. Choosing between the manual or the dual-clutch automatic transmission presents a more difficult and personal decision, but the quality of both gearboxes means there's no wrong answer.

Edmunds' Expert Review

Overall rating

8.0 / 10

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 models

The 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster is a two-seat, rear-wheel-drive soft-top convertible sports car that is available in three trims: base, S and GTS. The three are primarily differentiated by the size and output of the turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with the GTS being the most powerful. Porsche offers an exhaustive supply of options for all trims.

The base 718 Boxster comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder (300 horsepower, 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 S model 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.

The GTS trim uses a slightly more powerful version of the S engine; output is increased to 365 hp regardless of transmission. The dual-clutch automatic also receives a bump to 317 lb-ft (the manual-transmission torque is unchanged). The GTS also features 20-inch wheels, a louder exhaust, redesigned front and rear fascias, the Sport Chrono package (detailed below), adaptive suspension, sport seats, and a mechanical rear differential that also includes a brake-actuated torque vectoring system. Note that these additions are available on Boxster and Boxster S models.

With the above exceptions, the 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.

All trims 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 transmission and carbon-ceramic brakes. 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

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Porsche 718 Boxster GTS (turbo 2.5L flat-4 | 7-speed automated manual | RWD).

Driving

9.5
You can drive the Boxster GTS to your personal limits. You can get in and hold on, trusting that its traction control and computers will keep you safe in all but the most foolish driving. Or you can drive it sensibly, below its limits, and just enjoy how gracefully it arcs through curves. It's one of the world's best sports cars.

Acceleration

9.5
Acceleration is strong from near idle to the engine's redline, and it makes it feel like accelerative power is everywhere in the powerband. In Edmunds testing, the Boxster GTS needed just 3.9 seconds to get to 60 mph, which seems ridiculous for a mainstream car powered by a turbo four-cylinder.

Braking

9.5
The brake pedal is firm and provides what feels like a one-to-one relationship between pedal pressure and stopping force. It's smooth and progressive and does not require race car-style force to apply. Stops from 60-0 mph required 99 feet, which is another quasi-supercar number from an "entry-level" Porsche.

Steering

10.0
This steering is the one by which all others are judged. Purists and old Porsche hands may be able to discern that this is electrically assisted steering, but it makes no difference to us behind the wheel. It is about as direct as it gets: Rotate the steering wheel and the car goes exactly where you point it.

Handling

9.5
The optional sport version of Porsche's adaptive suspension (PASM) unleashes the full potential of the GTS, but it's a bit much unless you're doing frequent track days. For the more typical canyon or rural back road, the base setup is all you need. Nothing in the Boxster's class can quite match its nimble nature.

Drivability

9.0
With one of the widest operating spectrums available, the GTS can impress when driven hard on a track or simply on the road or the highway in traffic. Smooth and progressive power delivery, exceptional braking power and a smart-shifting transmission make it as easy to drive as any mainstream sedan.

Comfort

8.0
You'll have a hard time finding seats that are more comfortable and more supportive. Sure, the GTS' 20-inch wheels and lower ride height make for a bumpier ride, but the seats do a phenomenal job covering for the sportier suspension. Only those who are truly sensitive to ride motions might take offense.

Seat comfort

8.0
For seats with such few controls and that lack lumbar control, the GTS' seats are exceptionally comfortable. The built-in lumbar should be enough for most drivers and passengers. But beware that the seat cushions are somewhat narrow and have firm bolsters.

Ride comfort

7.5
Our test vehicle has the lowered sport version of Porsche's adaptive suspension, which includes stiffer springs and dampers. Occupants will inevitably feel more road than in a Boxster S or a luxury-focused coupe. The 20-inch wheels don't help either. But this ride is not unbearable by any means.

Noise & vibration

8.0
The soft top does an admirable job of keeping road and wind noise at bay, enough that it's easy to have a phone conversation via Bluetooth when the top is up. Engine noise is audible but not overwhelming. Opinions of how good the four-cylinder engine sounds are mixed, but nobody claims it's better than the old Boxster's flat-six.

Climate control

7.5
Only Porsche could get away with a climate control system that indicates temperature in dashes rather than a numerical readout of actual temperature. It's a nonissue that drivers will quickly grow accustomed to. The cabin cools and heats quickly. Seat heaters come standard.

Interior

7.5
You're not buying the Boxster for cabin or cargo space, although it offers a decent amount of the latter. The cabin is predictably cozy but not unreasonably so for a high-performance roadster. The materials are excellent, with a faux suede-covered steering wheel and soft-touch surfaces abounding.

Ease of use

7.5
Porsche did an excellent job of blending the primary driver controls with secondary convenience and comfort functions. The climate controls and driver information controls take a minute to figure out, but there's a method to their operation that you can finally discern.

Getting in/getting out

7.5
The GTS sits low to the ground, lower even than the Boxster S. But low doorsills make it easy to swing legs out and touch the ground, while the firm seat bolsters offer a handy surface to help raise yourself from a seated position.

Driving position

8.0
Manual adjustments for fore and aft travel and height adjustment seem cheap for a car at this price. The forward sightlines out of the car are vast. And with a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, drivers of all shapes and heights will have no trouble finding a good spot. The door-mounted speaker grilles tend to irritate the driver's leg during spirited jaunts.

Roominess

7.0
With the top up, two people will feel cozy, mostly because visibility out the rear sides is pretty compromised. In rivals such as the Jaguar F-Type or Corvette, the view out the sides and back feel panoramic by comparison. Passengers won't feel claustrophobic, though, and even taller drivers can lower the seat almost to the floor.

Visibility

6.5
Here is a tale of two tops. With the top down, visibility to the rear is limited only slightly by the rollover-protection headrest hoops. With the top up, there's a substantial zone of no visibility in the three-quarters view. Lane changes require some caution.

Quality

8.5
The build quality is exceptional and world-class. Mercedes-Benz might be the only one who does it as good and as consistently. The interior panels' fit is tight, and buttons and switchgear offer a nice amount of resistance to touch. Everything feels polished and crafted.

Utility

7.0
You're not buying the Boxster for utility, but it is better than others of its ilk because it has two storage areas. The front trunk offers decent space, and the small rear trunk doesn't get consumed by convertible top action. Interior storage is as expected for a two-seat convertible, as is child-seat compatibility.

Small-item storage

7.0
The Boxster doesn't have many storage spaces inside, but this is par for the course in this class. Each door has two pockets, one of which is expandable with a spring-loaded lid. It's large enough to store wallets or phones. One phone can go in the shallow center console where you'll also find the USB connection.

Cargo space

8.0
Splitting the cargo space between the 4.6-cubic-foot rear trunk and the 5.3-cubic-foot frunk (front trunk) in this mid-engine car makes it larger in total volume than others in its class. However, the split means you can't fit big items.

Child safety seat accommodation

5.5
An automatically locking retractor seat belt makes it possible to secure certain forward-facing seats and boosters. There is also a top tether anchor. But let's face it: This two-seat car is not a kid carrier.

Technology

7.0
The Boxster isn't overly concerned with the tech side of things, although Porsche obviously understands its buyers seek the creature comforts just as enthusiastically as they do the roadster's thrills. A responsive navigation system, crisp graphics, and a general suite of apps and functions mean you don't have to compromise tech for performance.

Audio & navigation

7.5
The navigation system is sharp and responsive and features 3D mapping from Google. It's also possible to port the nav map over to the gauge cluster. The base audio system is nothing special. It sounds good, although overly bass-boosted, perhaps due to the door-mounted speakers.

Smartphone integration

7.5
You can easily control your device through Porsche's infotainment system via USB or Bluetooth. Apple CarPlay is optional.

Driver aids

6.5
Parking sensors come standard but can be overly sensitive. Blind-spot monitoring should be standard considering the car's lack of visibility, but it isn't.

EdmundsScorecard

Overall8.0 / 10
Driving9.5
Comfort8.0
Interior7.5
Utility7.0
Technology7.0

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster.

5(100%)
4(0%)
3(0%)
2(0%)
1(0%)
5.0
4 reviews
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Most helpful consumer reviews

A Perfect Sports Car!
David ,08/11/2019
GTS 2dr Convertible (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
I always wanted a car only for me that provides speed, power, agility yet comfortable and quiet on the road and found all the above attributes in the Boxster GTS! Before purchasing this white with red top and red leather interior, I drove a Corvette GS, Mercedes C63S, Mercedes E53, 911 4S Cabriolet but none came close to giving me feeling of closeness and quick reflex of the Boxster GTS. This car feels like perfectly fitted leather gloves. The car feels like a part of me. Because of luxury items and extra cargo space, I was about buy a fully equipped E53; however, it just did not corner and moved like Boxster GTS. The Corvette GS was quick and sounded great but I felt like I was stuck in a bathtub and it was too big. C63S was powerful with awesome sound from the engine but it was too rough, unrefined in its way of moving. Porsche 4S was quick, smooth and moved with grace but just did not feel as intimate and close fitting as Boxster GTS; it felt big and is whole lot bigger than its little brother Boxster. The Boxster GTS is the sports car of my dream.
Great car despite the terrible dealer experience
Mtaylor,01/08/2021
S 2dr Convertible (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
Sublime handing, comfortable, much faster than expected, this is simply the best toy car I have ever owned. It is unfortunate that the dealer fraudulently used my social security number and personal information to sell other cars. I am still fighting with credit agencies to get my good name back more than a year later.
The best there is
smerdyakov,01/11/2021
S 2dr Convertible (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
I recently bought a certified low-mileage Boxster S. I strongly recommend getting a CPO car, since the depreciation has already occurred. The original MSRP for my car was $89,800, and I got it (with 10,000 miles) for $66,000. That, I think, is a very desirable saving. When shopping for a CPO car, be sure to check the in-service date, since the length of the warranty will be based on that. As far as options go, they can be very costly, as is well known. My car included a very nice all leather interior which cost a lot more than I would have paid on a new car. I recommend PASM, not necessarily for the better ride, but because it gives the car a more solid feeling. I have had cars both ways, and having PASM is better. My car has a six-speed transmission. After driving PDK cars for a while, I decided to go with a manual. I also encourage that, unless a manual transmission makes you uneasy. A six-speed is lighter and less expensive than a PDK, and adding lightness is important. If you do get a PDK, get the Sports Chrono option, which will give you launch control. As for the engine, I like the larger S engine. The car that I traded was a base car, which was fine, but the extra power is nice to have, By the way, you can’t tell an S for certain by twin tailpipes - my base car had them. I considered a GTS, but I don’t think that that version offers any real advantage over the S.
Bucket List Car
Keith,03/16/2021
S 2dr Convertible (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
Our first Porsche was a 914-4 when we were first married 50 years ago, BK (before kids). It was great fun. We vowed that we'd get other Porsches when we were able. A few years ago we bought a 2011 Cayman S Black edition, loved it but had to part with it to make room for the grandkids this time. After retirement, we moved back to the town where we grew up, and started a "Tops Down" club with our life long friends. We toured remote parts of Oregon in our Mini Cooper S convertible for a year or so, but still remembered our 914-4 fondly. We found the 718 Boxster S at Porsche Beaverton and fell in love with it. This car is perfect, lots of fun, great power. I thought I would miss the 6 cylinder of the Cayman, but I don't. The 718's turbo 4 has more power, is definitely faster, and the PDK is a dream. The sound of 4 reminds us the 914, but 718 demonstrates 50 years of constant improvement. We are very happy with the 718!
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Features & Specs

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Safety

Our experts like the 718 Boxster models:

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.
More about the 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster

Used 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster Overview

The Used 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster is offered in the following submodels: 718 Boxster Convertible. Available styles include S 2dr Convertible (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M), 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M), and GTS 2dr Convertible (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M). Pre-owned Porsche 718 Boxster models are available with a 2.5 L-liter gas engine or a 2.0 L-liter gas engine, with output up to 365 hp, depending on engine type. The Used 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster comes with rear wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 6-speed manual. The Used 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster comes with a 4 yr./ 50000 mi. basic warranty, a 4 yr./ 50000 mi. roadside warranty, and a 4 yr./ 50000 mi. powertrain warranty.

What's a good price on a Used 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster?

Price comparisons for Used 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster trim styles:

  • The Used 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster Base is priced between $61,981 and$61,981 with odometer readings between 17189 and17189 miles.
  • The Used 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster GTS is priced between $81,998 and$81,998 with odometer readings between 12620 and12620 miles.
  • The Used 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster S is priced between $72,411 and$72,411 with odometer readings between 9440 and9440 miles.

Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, VA. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.

Which used 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 4 used and CPO 2018 718 Boxsters listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $61,981 and mileage as low as 9440 miles. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a used car from our massive database to find cheap prew-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the Used 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster.

Can't find a used 2018 Porsche 718 Boxsters you want in your area? Consider a broader search.

Find a used Porsche 718 Boxster for sale - 9 great deals out of 20 listings starting at $8,323.

Find a used Porsche for sale - 5 great deals out of 6 listings starting at $15,350.

Find a used certified pre-owned Porsche 718 Boxster for sale - 9 great deals out of 14 listings starting at $10,012.

Find a used certified pre-owned Porsche for sale - 1 great deals out of 6 listings starting at $25,185.

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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