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Porsche 718 Boxster: Trims, Generations & Buyer's Guide
Last updated August 4, 2026
The Porsche 718 Boxster is a mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive two-seat convertible sports car known for balanced handling, precise responses, and an engaging roof-down driving experience. It combines serious sports-car ability with more everyday usability than its focused design might suggest.
The Boxster’s lasting theme is balance: its engine sits behind the seats and ahead of the rear wheels, helping the car feel natural and composed through corners. The 718 name arrived with the 2017 redesign, which brought turbocharged four-cylinder engines and sharper responses. Later versions broadened that formula with comfort-focused special editions, driver-focused models, and the six-cylinder GTS 4.0, while keeping the intimate roadster character intact.
Strengths
- Its mid-engine layout helps it feel balanced and composed when the road turns.
- The steering and chassis respond precisely without making the car impractical for normal road use.
- The power-folding roof makes open-air driving a central part of the experience.
- A driver-centered cockpit and two-seat layout create a close, intimate sports-car feel.
- In 2025, the gas-powered lineup ranged from 300 to 394 horsepower, giving every trim meaningful performance.
Who it's for
It best fits someone who wants a sports car mainly for the experience of driving, not for carrying people or lots of luggage. It suits weekend drives and winding roads, yet it is civilized enough for regular use if two seats and limited cargo room meet your needs.
Porsche 718 Boxster lineup
The Base model is the straightforward entry point and keeps the core mid-engine Boxster experience. The Style Edition, introduced for 2023, is the pick for added visual distinction and comfort content rather than a different basic personality. The S is the natural step up for shoppers who want stronger performance while keeping the same everyday-friendly roadster format. The GTS has consistently been the more focused choice with bundled performance hardware; since 2021, the GTS 4.0 has also stood apart with a six-cylinder engine.
Porsche 718 Boxster generations
From 2017 to 2025, the 718 Boxster spans 1 generation. The current 4th Generation — 982 arrived for 2017.
4th Generation — 982 (2017–2025)
The 982 redesign renamed the car the 718 Boxster and brought updated styling, a revised cabin, and turbocharged four-cylinder engines in place of the previous six-cylinders. Later years expanded the range with models such as the six-cylinder GTS 4.0, but the underlying generation remained the same through 2025.
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2025
A carryover year for the main lineup and the final U.S. model year before production ended in October 2025.
2024Trim changes
The track-focused 718 Spyder RS joins the range as its new top model.
2023Trim changes
The design-focused Style Edition joins the lineup with added appearance and comfort features.
2022Trim changes
The lineup carries over without a meaningful mechanical, safety, or technology update.
2021Trim changes
The limited Boxster 25 Years edition joins the range, and the six-cylinder GTS 4.0 reaches the U.S. Core trims also gain heated seats, two-zone climate control, Apple CarPlay, and other standard equipment.
2020Trim changes
The driver-focused Boxster T and track-oriented 718 Spyder join the U.S. lineup.
2019
Sport exhaust becomes standard across the range, while the core lineup and engines carry over.
2018Trim changes
The GTS joins the lineup with 365 horsepower and added performance hardware.
2017
The redesigned Boxster becomes the 718 Boxster, with turbocharged four-cylinder engines, updated styling and cabin, revised steering and suspension, stronger brakes, and a standard touchscreen system.
What's new by year
See what changed in a specific model year of the Porsche 718 Boxster.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Porsche 718 Boxster a convertible or a coupe?
It is a two-seat convertible sports car with a power-operated soft top. The engine sits behind the seats and drives the rear wheels, a layout intended to give the car balanced, predictable responses in corners.
What is the 718 Boxster known for?
It is known for balanced handling, direct responses and an intimate roof-down driving experience. Its mid-engine layout keeps weight near the center of the car, while its compact size and everyday comfort make it more usable than its focused character might suggest.
Could a 718 Boxster work as an only car?
Yes, if two seats and limited cargo room fit your routine. It combines serious sports-car responses with everyday comfort, but the two-seat cabin and 4.4-cubic-foot cargo specification make it less practical for passengers or bulky luggage.
Is the Porsche 718 Boxster a hybrid?
No. The 718 Boxster covered here uses gasoline engines. Depending on trim and era, those are turbocharged four-cylinders or a naturally aspirated six-cylinder, with no hybrid version in this generation.
Does the 718 Boxster have all-wheel drive?
No. The 718 Boxster is rear-wheel drive. Its engine sits ahead of the rear axle, which helps place the car’s weight near the middle for balanced handling.
Which model years belong to the 718 Boxster generation?
The 718 Boxster generation runs from 2017 through 2025 in the US. It arrived as a major redesign with the 718 name, new turbocharged four-cylinder engines, updated styling and cabin changes.
Are all Porsche 718 Boxsters turbocharged?
No. Base, T and S models use turbocharged four-cylinder engines, as did the earlier GTS. The later GTS 4.0 and the Boxster 25 Years use a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six instead.
Porsche 718 Boxster Reviews
What owners are saying about the Porsche 718 Boxster.
4.6
Porsche 718 Boxster
(78 reviews)
“It's very expensive and Porsche will charge you for every little thing. But it's reliable, durable, and you will have fun every day. But you have to get a manual transmission and not be someone who just wants prestige and does not use the car's capabilities.”
“I am a lawyer in Houston, Texas. I have owned Porsche Boxsters since 2001 and of all the Boxsters I have owned I absolutely LOVE the 2017 718 Boxster. The body design is unique, the interior is practical and sleek, the gas mileage is very good, and the power of acceleration is exciting! I love rag tops and this convertible top goes up and down in seconds while traveling 40mph. My best car ever!”
“Porsche handling; Car feedback while driving; excellent steering feel; incredible brakes; wonderful exhaust note; good looking!”
“The ONLY negative is the exhaust sound. For a 6-figure car, it should sound better than my 66 Beetle.”
“Most enjoyable car to drive I've owned. Without jumping into supercar territory, best sports car available.”
Sources
- newsroom.porsche.com — Annual Sustainability Report / Combined Management Report / Business Development
- newsroom.porsche.com — Jcr:F9411Ef9 8577 4E2A B4Aa 7Cbd2A3C764B / PCNA22 1132 us
- newsroom.porsche.com — Jcr:4E614Fc5 4Cde 4A75 9291 5E995D35C765 / US Press Kit 718 GTS 4.0 2024 Edit
- newsroom.porsche.com — Jcr:5C458Db0 Fb38 4273 91C6 12Da5209E4Ae / PCNA18 0112 us
- newsroom.porsche.com — Model Range / 718 / 718 Boxster
- newsroom.porsche.com — en US / Products / 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster Cayman 21338
- newsroom.porsche.com — Model Range / 718 / 718 Boxster Style Edition
- newsroom.porsche.com — 2022 / Products / The Porsche 718 Heads Into 2023 In Style 30220
- newsroom.porsche.com — Model Range / 718 / 718 Boxster S
- newsroom.porsche.com — Model Range / 718 / 718 Boxster Gts 4 0
- newsroom.porsche.com — Jcr:632Cc67F 3Cdf 44D5 89Cc F45C8427C95B / 04 718 GTS 4.0 Models
- newsroom.porsche.com — 2022 / Products / Porsche 718 Cayman Boxster Style Edition 30223