Porsche 718 Boxster Style Edition Review

"Enjoy the drive!" the Porsche representative hurriedly bids and whisks me along, not wanting to risk the ire of the security guard stationed at Guoco Midtown's drop-off point after I repeatedly fumble to unlatch the frunk of this Porsche 718 Boxster and stow away my photographic gear before driving off.

No extensive introduction to the car before I step in, then. But that's no big issue - as I'm sure is the case for many of you reading this.

You get 20-inch 718 Spyder rims as well as a decorative stripes along the sides and bonnet all as part of this Style Package

New touches

That's because this Boxster isn't new. Far from it, in fact. Released all the way back in 2016, this convertible should already be a well-known entity, but it returns to us this time after having received a bit of added makeup.

If you'd let me make a quick preamble: This 'Style Edition' model swoops in at a $20,999 premium ahead of the base 2.0-litre model. There's no boost to total power available however, despite that tall price (this is a Porsche we are talking about after all).

The 718 Boxster comes with a 150-litre frunk and a 125-litre storage compartment for your bags at the rear

Instead, you get 20-inch rims, black sport tailpipes, the 'Boxster' name embossed on the car's folding soft top, and those decorative stripes that you see running all along the sides and bonnet of the car you see in the photos, on top of added equipment including a dual-zone climate system and cruise control, amongst others.

And if this white-on-black combination does not appeal, you'll be glad to note that you also can opt for this Style Edition with black rims and decals, alongside a wide host of exterior colours including one undoubtedly eye-catching Ruby Star neo.

Familiar controls

That doesn't sound like a great deal, especially when you look at the wide variety of options Porsche will still happily let you pick from even for the regular entry-level Boxster.

But don't let this distract you from the fact that the 718 is still fundamentally an excellent car.

The cabin design looks dated but that also means there's little here to distract you from what's important - the drive

These gorgeous black/bordeaux sports seats offer the necessary support without being uncomfortable to rest on. And, yes, its dashboard layout is dated, designed at a time when today's oversized infotainment systems were not yet in vogue. But it's all still comfortably intuitive, a boon if you're pushed into the car without any primer.

All your air-conditioning controls are controlled by physical switches, and there's likewise physical buttons for navigating between the menus of the infotainment system. And you can add to this the fact that operating the roof is simply done via two rocker switches (one to deploy and one to retract the item).

Opt for the Sport Chrono Package, as is present in this car, and this ease of use is enhanced further as you'll easily be able to switch between the car's different driving modes all via a handy rotary dial located on the steering wheel.

There's isn't a lot of storage space in the cabin, but you do get 14-way electric sports seats complete with a memory function and coat hooks

Enticing drive

Which all means you get to concentrate on the drive. And trust me when I say you'll want to.

Complaints rained aplenty when this Boxster first made its debut, all directed at the soundtrack of its new 2.0-litre engine. But this now seems like a mere trifle when you consider that the next iteration of the 718 looks set to become all-electric.

As it is, the 2.0-litre flat-four deployed here makes light work of the 1,440kg body it must tow. Dial the rpms above the mid-range and it delivers a pleasing responsiveness, a feat easily accomplished thanks to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that proves equally keen to find you a smaller cog when you push deep into the throttle pedal as it is to keep things smooth and quiet when you're merrily cruising around town.

Grip levels are high at either axle and the 718 displays an eagerness to change direction that I'm afraid we might not be able to see until electric vehicles find a way to cut down on their total weight. And you can add to this capability an impressive damping setup, a sheer ability to resist roll, and well-weighted steering. The Porsche 718 Boxster makes every drive out of town a sheer unadulterated pleasure.

The clock is ticking for the 718 Boxster. Get one while you still can

Sure to be missed

So, should you get this special iteration of the 718 Boxster? There are really two main things to consider.

First off, at $325,788 (before COE that is), it's reasonably priced for an entry-level sports car. For some comparison, if it's a convertible you're after, the BMW Z4 sDrive20i comes in at a more palpable $376,888 with COE included. But this BMW offers only a total of 194bhp, even if it comes with a far more modern cabin. And if you must have a mid-engine alternative, the 296bhp Alpine A110 S coupe will set you back a hefty $373,800 before COE, making this 718 Boxster look like a steal in comparison (all prices as of 17 August 2024).

But do also consider this: Porsche has already transitioned the Macan into an all-electric vehicle, and additionally announced that the next generation Cayenne will also be all-electric. We think it's not too hard to imagine that this 718 won't be offered with a petrol-only engine for much longer.

What this all means is that if you've always wanted to get your hands on this lithe convertible, and have the means to do so, you'd best hurry. The staff at Porsche Studio Singapore are eagerly waiting.

In the market for a convertible? There's also these options to consider:

The Mercedes-AMG SL43 is an elegant and capable addition to the SL's long and illustrious history

The Morgan Plus Four, meanwhile, comes with a charming exterior that is sure to get heads turning

There's also the MINI Cooper Convertible, with its fun-loving exterior and drive