The 2022 Porsche 718 Boxster’s gutsy turbocharged engine

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Most convertibles are a romantic way to enjoy the open road, but the 2022 Porsche 718 Boxster takes it a step further with its joyous handling and eager turbocharged powertrains. It shares its chassis and mechanical parts with the similarly sporty 718 Cayman coupe, but the Boxster’s cloth top opens the cabin to fresh air and the freeing feeling of the wind in your hair. Base models come with a turbocharged horizontally opposed four-cylinder, but speed freaks will gravitate toward the optional flat-six. The 718 Boxster may not have the cachet of Porsche’s iconic 911 sports car, but its focused chassis and lively nature make it one of the best-driving sports cars on the road earn it a 10Best award and a spot on our Editors’ Choice list.

For those shopping without limits, the GTS 4.0 model—with its powerful and sonorous flat-six—is the Boxster to choose. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford to drop $90K on a two-seat convertible. We get that. So for those on more of a budget, the S model is where it’s at. The available PDK automatic transmission is excellent, but this car really calls for the manual. We’d recommend keeping the options to a minimum, selecting only the lowered suspension with adaptive dampers, a limited-slip rear differential, and ventilated seats.
We’d recommend taking advantage of the Porsche Experience Center. For $395 (plus a $50 damage waiver fee), you will be receive coaching and track time in your new Porsche at either the Atlanta or Los Angeles location. If you don’t live in those areas, you can travel and book time in one of Porsche’s vehicles instead. Prices for those experiences range from as low as $400 to as high as $900 depending on location and model.
The Boxster offers three engines: a 300-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter flat-four, a 350-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four (on the S model), and a 394-hp 4.0-liter flat-six (on the GTS 4.0). Each comes paired with a truly satisfying six-speed manual transmission, but buyers can opt for Porsche’s clairvoyant seven-speed automatic. The base and S models are great fun and performed well in our testing.
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