When Porsche renamed its Boxster the 718 Boxster back in 2017 and replaced the car's six-cylinder engine with a turbocharged four-cylinder, part of the connection to the 911 — something so intrinsic to the Porsche experience — was lost. There's nothing wrong with the four-cylinder 718's performance certainly, but the driving experience, especially with the top down, lacks some all-important aural emotion.
Last year, Porsche moved to rectify the discrepancy with the reintroduction of the six-cylinder-powered 718 Spyder. For 2021, it's following it up with the 718 Boxster GTS 4.0. It has the same naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six engine as the Spyder, albeit with a bit less horsepower (394 horsepower compared to 414 hp). The Boxster GTS 4.0, though not inexpensive by any means, also offers good value for the standard equipment when compared to a similarly optioned-up S model.
To get the full GTS 4.0 experience, it's important to begin with the top down before starting the engine. With the twist of the left-hand mounted key, that familiar and evocative whir settles down into a slightly clattery idle. A brief prod of the throttle pedal sends the revs up and reminds you just how good a naturally aspirated flat six-cylinder engine sounds. Revving it out to its 7,800-rpm redline will give even the most cynical enthusiast the tingles.
The new GTS certainly boosts the appeal of the Boxster. It is, certainly, among the most enjoyable convertible sports cars you can buy. You could look at the BMW Z4 if you want something a little more comfortable, or perhaps the Corvette convertible for its V8 rumble and newfound mid-engine agility. Boost your budget and Porsche's 911 is in play. But for the quintessential top-down sports car experience, the 2021 718 Boxster is hard to beat.
The 2021 718 Boxster roadster is available in six trim levels: the base Boxster, Boxster T, Boxster S, Boxster GTS 4.0, Boxster 25 Years and Boxster Spyder. All are rear-wheel-drive and come standard with a six-speed manual transmission. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (Porsche calls it PDK) is offered as an option. Feature highlights include:
NOTE: This video is about the 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster, but since the 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.
2021 Porsche 718 Boxster
2021 Chevrolet Corvette
The mid-engine Corvette convertible is a worthy rival to the Boxster, with stirring performance and enough convenience to work as a daily driver. The Corvette handily beats the Boxster when it comes to price and power, but it doesn't feel as nimble around tight turns. Read Edmunds' long-term road test of the Chevrolet Corvette.
The BMW Z4 is a well-balanced sports car with a lot to offer. It's spacious and quiet on the highway. The turbocharged six-cylinder engine in the Z4 M40i is strong and gets pretty good fuel economy too. Lower pricing is another Z4 advantage. The Boxster is the more special car, however. It's more engaging to drive and offers many more ways to customize it to your taste.
Jaguar has updated the 2021 F-Type with a new touchscreen interface and refreshed exterior styling. This sports car is at its best in the R version that comes with a supercharged 575-hp V8. It has standard all-wheel drive too, which could expand the car's usability in the winter. But you'll still want the Boxster if you prioritize nimble handling.
When Porsche renamed its Boxster the 718 Boxster back in 2017 and replaced the car's six-cylinder engine with a turbocharged four-cylinder, part of the connection to the 911 — something so intrinsic to the Porsche experience — was lost. There's nothing wrong with the four-cylinder 718's performance certainly, but the driving experience, especially with the top was down, lacked some all-important aural emotion.
Convertible sports cars are getting a little rare these days, but the 718 Boxster GTS certainly doesn't have the run of the segment. BMW offers its new Z4, for instance, and the Jaguar F-Type convertible is another appealing alternative. Perhaps the most serious challenger is the all-new Chevrolet Corvette convertible, which offers just as much of the sports car experience as the Porsche but at a lower price.
The Boxster is, without a doubt, a convertible sports car. And because of that, it drives unlike most anything else it competes against. To get the full GTS 4.0 experience, it's important to begin with the top down before starting the engine. With the twist of the left-hand mounted key, that familiar and evocative whir settles down into a slightly clattery idle. A brief prod of the throttle pedal sends the revs up and reminds you just how good a naturally aspirated flat six-cylinder engine sounds.
The GTS 4.0 retains the familiar layout of other 718 Boxsters, albeit with an extra dose of simulated suede upholstery. The fuzzy stuff covers the seat centers, door panels, armrests, shift lever and steering wheel. As with any Porsche, you can further tailor the interior to suit any whim or taste (or lack thereof). The GTS' standard sport seats are well shaped and supportive. The optional Full Bucket race-style seats hold you in even more snugly, but they're primarily meant for track driving, not daily commuting, and they would not make for a comfortable experience on a warm summer's day.
Because of its convertible top, the Boxster loses some of the Cayman's practicality. That said, the Boxster holds 9.5 cubic feet between its front and rear trunks, which is a decent amount as long as you're not trying to take on anything bulky. For comparison purposes, BMW's Z4 holds 9.9 cubic feet. The new Chevrolet Corvette convertible holds 12.6 cubic feet.
Should you not want the full sport experience of the 20 mm lower suspension on the GTS 4.0, Porsche offers a middle ground with a 10 mm lower ride height, which promises a bit more ground clearance and a slightly softer spring rate. The Boxster GTS, like all other GTS models, though not inexpensive by any means, offers good value for the standard equipment when compared to a similarly optioned-up S model. You also get the 4.0-liter flat-six engine, which kind of makes the GTS worth the extra cost all by itself.
The 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster 25 is a limited-production variant built to commemorate the Boxster's 25-year anniversary. (Though the Boxster launched in the U.S. for model year 1997, it came out in Europe for 1996.) The Boxster 25, which is based on the GTS 4.0, is distinguished from other models by its bronze-colored wheels and air intakes. The only exterior paint schemes available are silver, white or black. They are paired to a red leather interior and red convertible top. Porsche says it's only going to sell 1,250 units worldwide, so if you're looking for a Boxster that's a little more special than the norm, the 25 could be it.
Edmunds saysWhile the 718 Boxster is undeniably one of the best-handling convertible sports cars on the market, you could previously point to the car's lackluster turbocharged four-cylinder engine as a reason for a compromised résumé. Porsche has fixed this for 2021, however, with the introduction of the GTS 4.0 trim and its 394-horsepower 4.0-liter flat six-cylinder engine and six-speed manual. The new GTS has reignited our enthusiasm for the mid-engine Porsche and we can't wait to drop the top in the name of further evaluation.
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster:
The least-expensive 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster is the 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 2dr Convertible (4.0L 6cyl 6M). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $88,900.
Other versions include:
