Last updated August 4, 2026
The Porsche Boxster lineup starts with the base roadster, while the Black Edition keeps its engine and adds a darker look plus more comfort and technology. The S and S Black Edition bring more power and stronger brakes. The GTS is the focused performance step, with a lower sport suspension and sport exhaust. The Spyder sits at the top as the lightweight, manual-only purist model.
The Base Model trim level, sold simply as the base Boxster, is the cleanest expression of the mid-engine convertible: light on extras and centered on balanced handling and open-air driving.
Best for: Drivers who want the essential Boxster experience without a performance or luxury package.
Highlights
The Special Editions trim level is the Black Edition, a style-and-equipment model that pairs the base engine with blacked-out details and an upscale feature bundle.
Best for: Shoppers who want distinctive looks and more comfort without moving to the stronger S engine.
Highlights
Adds blacked-out styling, larger wheels, upgraded lighting, navigation, heated seats, and two-zone climate control over the base Boxster.
0 in stock
The Sport Styling trim level — S and S Black Edition — is the stronger, sharper Boxster branch, with more power and upgraded braking hardware than the base-engined models.
Best for: Drivers who want a quicker, more forceful Boxster without the more focused GTS or Spyder treatment.
Highlights
Moves from the Black Edition’s appearance-and-comfort focus to a larger, more powerful engine and stronger brakes; the S Black Edition combines that performance with dark styling.
6 in stock
The Performance trim level is the GTS, the sharpest regular Boxster below the Spyder and a blend of added pace, factory sport hardware, and everyday usability.
Best for: Enthusiasts who want a more serious driving setup without the Spyder’s stripped-back character.
Highlights
Adds more power, a lower sport suspension, the Sport Chrono performance package, a sport exhaust, and more supportive sport seats over the S models.
0 in stock
The Top Tier trim level is the Spyder, the lightweight, manual-only purist model built for sharper responses and greater driver involvement.
Best for: Drivers who value low weight, direct control, and track-focused character more than convenience.
Highlights
Adds a larger and more powerful engine, lower-weight construction, a manual lightweight roof, torque vectoring, and more track-focused seating over the GTS.
0 in stock| Feature | Top Tier | Base Model | Performance | Sport Styling | Special Editions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Includes | Spyder0 in stock | base13 in stock | GTS0 in stock | S, S Black Edition6 in stock | Black Edition0 in stock |
| Engine | 3.8-liter flat-six | 2.7-liter flat-six | 3.4-liter flat-six | 3.4-liter flat-six | 2.7-liter flat-six |
| Horsepower | 376 hp | 265 hp | 330 hp | 315 hp | 265 hp |
| Torque | 309 lb-ft | 207 lb-ft | 273 lb-ft | 266 lb-ft | 207 lb-ft |
| Fuel economy | 18 city / 24 highway mpg | 22 city / 32 highway mpg | 22 city / 31 highway mpg | 21 city / 30 highway mpg | 22 city / 32 highway mpg |
| Defining hardware | Torque vectoring and lightweight roof | Essential roadster setup | Lower sport suspension and sport exhaust | Larger brakes | Comfort and technology bundle |
| Wheel identity | Lightweight-focused setup | 18-inch alloys | 20-inch Carrera S design | 19-inch alloys | 20-inch Carrera Classic |
The base trim is the simplest entry into the Boxster lineup, with the same mid-engine layout and roadster shape as the faster versions. On late 981 cars, it has a 265-hp 2.7-liter flat-six, a six-speed manual, and 18-inch wheels.
The S adds stronger performance hardware. On late 981 cars, it has a 315-hp 3.4-liter engine instead of the base model’s 265-hp 2.7-liter, plus larger brakes, 19-inch wheels, bi-xenon headlights, and dual center exhaust outlets.
The late 981 Black Edition is a style-and-comfort special based on the regular Boxster, not a higher-performance model. It keeps the 265-hp 2.7-liter engine and adds a black theme, navigation, upgraded headlights, heated seats, two-zone climate control, and 20-inch wheels.
The S Black Edition is a limited-run 987.2-era model. It combines a 320-hp 3.4-liter engine with black exterior details, 19-inch Spyder-style wheels, cornering headlights, touchscreen navigation, and automatic climate control.
No. The late 981 Black Edition uses the regular Boxster’s 265-hp 2.7-liter engine and focuses on comfort and appearance. The earlier S Black Edition uses a 320-hp 3.4-liter engine and is based on the stronger Boxster S.
On late 981 cars, the GTS is the more focused step above the S. It raises output from 315 to 330 hp and adds a lower sport suspension, Sport Chrono hardware, a sport exhaust, 20-inch wheels, sport seats, and darker exterior details.
The late 981 Spyder is lighter, more powerful, and less comfort-focused than the GTS. It uses a 375-hp 3.8-liter engine, a manual transmission, a hand-operated lightweight roof, bucket seats, and a mechanical differential that helps put power down in turns.
Among late 981 models, the Black Edition is the clearest comfort-and-technology choice. It bundles heated seats, two-zone automatic climate control, navigation, upgraded headlights, and 20-inch wheels while keeping the regular Boxster engine.
The late 981 GTS fits that role. It adds more power, a lower sport suspension, Sport Chrono hardware, a sport exhaust, and supportive sport seats while keeping more everyday usability than the manual-only Spyder.
The Spyder is the focused choice at the top of the lineup. In late 981 form, it combines the strongest engine with lower weight, a manual transmission, bucket seats, a hand-operated roof, and hardware designed for sharper responses in turns.
The late 981 Spyder is manual-only and uses a six-speed transmission. Regular base, S, and GTS models were sold with either a six-speed manual or the seven-speed PDK automatic.
Both the late 981 Black Edition and the earlier S Black Edition bundle touchscreen navigation. They are separate special editions from different eras, with different engines and equipment themes.
The late 981 base Boxster has 18-inch wheels, while the S steps up to 19-inch wheels. The Black Edition and GTS use 20-inch wheels. Wheel design also changes by trim.
In the late 981 lineup, the GTS and Spyder include Sport Chrono hardware with dynamic transmission mounts. These mounts are part of each trim’s factory performance setup.
No. The late 981 Spyder uses a lightweight fabric top that must be operated by hand. The simpler roof helps reduce weight and is one reason the Spyder is less convenience-focused than regular Boxster trims.