It would be a stretch to call the Porsche 718 Boxster one of Porsche’s best-kept secrets, but its entry-level status and the shadow cast by the legendary 911 mean this mid-engined machine doesn’t always get the credit it deserves.
When the roads are good and the sun is shining, few cars are more entertaining than this – all Boxsters get better when the roof is down: something that can be easily achieved with the touch of a button.
The arrival of four-cylinder engines in 2016 robbed the Boxster of some of its audible appeal, but there’s no doubting the potency of the turbocharged units, which knock the old flat sixes out of the park comes to straight-line pace.
If you do want the full mechanical orchestra, the 4.0-litre GTS will happily provide it – or if you have a larger budget, there’s even the epic, 911 GT3-engined, Porsche 718 Boxster Spyder RS.
Regardless of engine, it’s the Boxster’s chassis that shines the brightest, with the perfectly balanced, tactile handling drawing you into the action. Then there’s the perfectly weighted steering, the strong and delicately balanced grip, the cast-iron body control and brakes that are as progressive as they are powerful.
Sure, it’s not cheap, but the incredible engineering and depth of ability on offer make the Boxster feel like it’s worth every penny.
