– The 2024 Porsche 718 Boxster has timeless appeal.

– Despite its age, the 718 Boxster remains a joy to drive.

– With its standout styling and Porsche’s signature quality, the 718 Boxster is a sports car icon.

Life isn’t fair, and nowhere is that more apparent than in the car world. Some people can eat all they want and never gain a pound, and some people can afford a Porsche while others can only dream. But if there’s one thing we can agree on, it’s that competing with Porsche just isn’t fair to other automakers. After driving many Porsches over my 25+ year career, I can confidently say they’re nearly perfect every time.

2024 Porsche 718 Boxster Style Edition | Photo: Matt St-Pierre

The 2024 Porsche 718 Boxster is no exception. It’s almost a decade old, with the first model year dating back to 2016. In car years, that’s ancient, but Porsche somehow pulls it off. If you’re Porsche, you can even charge more and give less, and no one will bat an eye. That’s because Porsche has this magical quality where everything about the brand makes you overlook the little things. The 718 Boxster might not be the most exclusive car when compared to a Koenigsegg or Pagani, but among Porsche owners, there’s a sense of camaraderie. Whether you own a 718 or a 911, from a T to a GT, you’re still part of the Porsche family.

Knee-Buckling Style

Now, let’s talk about the 2024 718 Boxster Style Edition. This car, the 718 often underrated if only because it sits in the 911’s shadow, but when moved into the spotlight, where it belongs, it always makes me smile. This version is meant to do exactly that.

The Porsche Style Edition models are available in spectacular Ruby Star Neo. For those who don’t know, Ruby Star was a colour offered on the magnificent 964 911 Carrera RS and it’s breathtaking. It would be wrong for a buyer not to select this hue but even if you don’t, these variants feature gloss black 20-inch 718 Spyder wheels adorned with colored Porsche Crests on the wheel hub covers. Additionally, it gets black sport exhaust tips and shiny silver “Porsche” lettering on the rear. The 718 Boxster Style Edition goes a step further with special embossed “Boxster” lettering on the soft top above the side windows.

The base 718 Boxster in Canada is priced from $81,900, and the glorious Spyder RS tops $215,000. The Style Edition begins at $87,100. My tester featured said colour (a $2,950 option), the mandatory Sport Chrono package, Navigation, Bose audio, the Premium package, and a few other items for a grand total of $103,000. The crazy thing is that in 2024, this isn’t insane money. The car is nuts though…

Base engine, top thrills

The heart of this car is a turbocharged flat-four 2.0L engine producing 296 Canadian horsepower (300 US – don’t know why) and 280 lb-ft of torque, all mated to a manual transmission. Despite being one of the slowest new Porsches in the lineup, it still rockets from 0-100 km/h in 5.1 seconds. Opt for the PDK transmission, and you’ll shave almost half a second off that time. But I’ll take the manual and its engaging drive every single time.

The lower output engine means you can enjoy the power without constantly worrying about speeding tickets. You can keep your foot in it, enjoy (YES ENJOY) the flat-4’s rumble and bask in the sense of speed as you shift away your troubles.

The manual transmission retains its title as one of the best in the business. The lever’s travel is equal parts mechanical and smooth for an incredibly satisfying slotting sensation when selecting the gear – it’s pornographic for enthusiast, there’s no other way to describe it.

One thing you’ll notice in the picture gallery, if you’re a true fanatic, is the wheel gap, a result of the car not having PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management). This actually turned out to be beneficial, as it allowed for more clearance when parking near high curbs. The 718 Boxster’s ride and handling are pure Porsche – agile, nimble, and incredibly refined. This car is proof that grip does not need to come at the expense of comfort.

Steering in the 718 is almost psychic. It reacts to your inputs with precision, making you feel like a driving god. The brakes, too, are progressive and responsive, requiring a firm push to engage, which gives a sense of deserved stopping power.

But why, Porsche?

However, not everything is perfect. In sport mode, the car automatically rev-matches for you, and there’s no way to turn this feature off. For those of us who enjoy heel-and-toe downshifting, this is a minor but notable annoyance. But again, because it’s Porsche, all is forgiven.

Joy

Despite its age, the 2024 Porsche 718 Boxster is a dream to drive. It’s a car that makes every drive an event, as cliché as it sounds, even if it’s just a trip to the grocery store. With a 122L trunk and a 150L frunk, it’s practical enough for everyday use. And the CD player? A charming nod to the past in a world that’s moving ever forward.

The 2024 Porsche 718 Boxster is everything a sports car should be – fun, engaging, and a joy to drive. It’s worth every penny, and there’s nothing quite like it. If you can afford one, you should absolutely go for it. This is the epitome of automotive joy, and I love every minute behind the wheel.