Behind the Wheel of the 2024 Porsche 718 Boxster Style Edition
An icon of open-air motoring.
Somewhere along the way, the modern Porsche vehicle has become less attainable, more exclusive, and, to be fair, more special. When the Porsche Boxster was introduced in 1996, the roadster was intended to be the entry point for the brand. It was a fun little mid-engine sports car that borrowed parts from the iconic Porsche 911 but was offered at a much lower price point.
These days, the same pecking order stands, more or less: the base 911 is more expensive than the corresponding Boxster. But over the years, the Boxster’s performance has been boosted, and you can’t really consider it the entry-level Porsche anymore—it’s a legitimate sports car icon in its own right. It’s also got the price tag to match, but most Porsche vehicles throughout the 2000s were probably underpriced.
These days, the Boxster range goes from the fairly spicy GTS 4.0 with its nearly 400 horsepower underfoot. Slotting in just above the base model is the Style Edition, the model we’re considering here. It features the same turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine as the standard 718 Boxster and can be linked to either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Neither choice is a bad one.
From a mechanical perspective, the Boxster is a fantastic car. It’s not the fastest Porsche—in fact, it’s among the slowest. But that relatively small engine churns out 300 horsepower, so the nimble convertible still manages to crest 100 kilometres per hour from a standing start in just over five seconds. Now, with the Style Edition, the 718 Boxster has a speedy appearance package to match that performance.
First things first: the paint scheme. There’s nothing quite like driving a mid-engine convertible that’s coloured pink if you want to draw attention.
Branded Ruby Star Neo, this bright hue is arresting, even more so when it’s paired with the optional white racing stripes on the hood and stylized “Porsche” script in white along the sides. The power-operated fabric roof features the word “Boxster” embossed along the sides and can be ordered in either black or red fabric. The Style Edition also comes with 20-inch white wheels, capping what is an unquestionably bold statement.
Inside the passenger cabin, you find illuminated side sills, black-leather sport seats embossed with the Porsche crest, and floor mats and seats with contrast chalk-coloured stitching. The options list includes the choice of other leather packages in all black, black and chalk, and for maximum impact, black and burgundy. (For sheer craziness, it would be tough to beat the Ruby Star Neo paint paired with the red roof and the burgundy-tinged interior.)
Matters of style set aside, the 718 Boxster remains a rewarding car to drive. It’s suitably quick without putting your licence in danger. It’s still one of the best-handling cars on the planet, and its steering is near telepathic.
While the 911 retains its status as the most iconic model in the Porsche fleet, the Boxster has nevertheless managed to carve out its own space and an identity of its own. For sure, the 718 Boxster merits serious consideration by anyone who just loves to drive—and the Style Edition puts an exclamation point on the relationship.
