2023 Porsche 718 Boxster

The 2023 Porsche 718 Boxster is one of the best-known 2-door roadsters around, and with good reason: it is one of the most exciting and best-handling cars to drive, and it doesn't cost supercar money. The Boxster is now in its fourth generation and, thanks to continuous updates and model additions, is in the prime of its life. Porsche has clearly sent out a signal that despite its plans to electrify the Boxster range in 2025, it will still commit to making the ICE version as good as it can be. With a wide variety of engines on offer, including a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder and a mighty 394-horsepower 4.0-liter naturally-aspirated six, there's something for everyone, and competitors such as the BMW Z4 and Audi TT Roadster are perennially shaking in their boots. Alongside those rivals, the Boxster remains the most dynamically talented, even if base models don't feel particularly posh. In this 2023 Porsche 718 Boxster review, we take a deep dive into what makes this little German sports car so good.

Compared to its competitors, the average standard specs of the Porsche 718 Boxster together with its high price make it an expensive toy. The base Porsche 718 Boxster's MSRP starts at $65,500, excluding tax, registration, and a destination fee. Compare this to the $56,300 starting price tag of the Audi TT Roadster or the cheapest BMW Z4 at $52,800 - both of which have more standard features -and you start to get an idea of just how expensive the Boxster is across its various configurations.

The 2023 Porsche 718 Boxster T's price is pegged at $74,600, while the Boxster S is a little more at $77,500 - this represents the smallest gap between the various trim levels. If you want to hear the snarl of that naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six engine, you'll have to spend a grand total of $92,400 for the GTS 4.0. With a bunch of extras and the odd package tacked on, the GTS will easily sail past the $120k mark.

All Porsche 718 Boxster trims and models require an additional $1,450 destination fee.

Years later, the Porsche 718 Boxster's competitors are still playing catch up in this area. Simply put, there isn't much at this price point that can touch the Porsche Boxster drop-top. Its sharpness, taut chassis, and ability to let the driver know exactly what's going on at all four corners is astonishing and harks back to the days when cars such as the first-generation Lotus Elise were ruling track days around the globe.

The good news is that the 2023 718 Boxster isn't all play and no comfort; you can live with this car in most cities across the USA, and it won't break your spine on rougher roads (unless you're in a hardcore version). It's completely happy to cruise on the highway like any other premium German car. Out on the track or back road, this vehicle shines: precise balance means that you can push this car to within an inch of its grip limits. A limited-slip differential and torque vectoring are available, further enhancing the car's cornering capabilities and traction. The brakes bite hard but are easy to modulate, and the optional carbon ceramic items are even better.

With 300 horsepower, even the base Boxster is quick enough, but its four-cylinder soundtrack isn't particularly inspiring. That issue can be resolved by going for the incredible flat-six in the GTS 4.0 that makes 394 hp, but it also sees the price rise dramatically to over $92,000. Whether shifting gears yourself with the six-speed manual or the fast seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, both transmissions keep pace with the chassis and engines to deliver a truly complete sports car experience.

The 2023 Porsche 718 Boxster remains one of the best sports cars out there, full stop. We are yet to experience anything that can match this car's engaging feel and lightning response to driver input at its price, and the more expensive GTS version is simply worlds apart from anything the rest of the market can offer. There are some shortcomings, however: it can get pricey, especially when you add on some of Porsche's desirable but expensive options. The interior storage and overall cargo space are minimal, making this car less practical as a long-distance cruiser or family car. Finally, the base engines offer good punch but lack the soul of the 4.0-liter boxer six. What we like about the 718 Boxster is that it doesn't try to hide anything; what you see is what you get, and what you get is one of the best sports cars ever built.

The Porsche 718 Boxster can easily handle the near-400-hp power output of the GTS, but your wallet might not handle its asking price, which is why I'd settle for the moderately powerful Boxster S. This model gets the larger-capacity 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine along with a healthy boost in power in performance, for not much more than the Boxster T. The 0-60 mph time drops to four seconds when properly equipped, and the top speed inches closer to 180 mph. The S also gets unique styling, cool wheels, and a few badges, indicating that it's better than the base model. If we could buy one, we'd get one in Guards Red with 20-inch 911 Turbo wheels and add the Premium Package for a grand total of $84,960 including destination.