The Car Connection Expert Review
Likes
- Brilliant steering
- Top-notch poise
- Turbo power
- Huge lineup
Dislikes
- Not exactly cheap
- Turbo-4 models lack some verve
- Limited safety features
- Not at all spacious
Buying tip
features & specs
If you’re after classic driving purity, the Porsche 718 lineup delivers like few others.
What kind of vehicle is the 2024 Porsche 718? What does it compare to?
The 2024 Porsche 718 range consists of the Cayman coupe and the Boxster roadster, both with two seats, mid-engine configurations, and no shortage of turbo power. Compare them to the Chevrolet Corvette, Toyota Supra, and BMW Z4.
Is the 2024 Porsche 718 a good car?
Though they’re hardly practical, these cars are an absolute blast to drive. They’re a 6.8 on the TCC scale. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What's new for the 2024 Porsche 718?
The GT4 versions have been dropped in favor of the snarling GT4 RS. Additionally, there’s a new Style Edition based on the base model that has stripes and a few other cosmetic tweaks.
Porsche slaps the 718 badge on the back of its Boxster roadster and its Cayman coupe. They both share most styling touches, aside from their rooflines. Big headlights that dive into curvy fenders are Porsche hallmarks. There’s nothing excessive about these designs; they’re light on flourish, and that’s just fine. Inside, look for a modern layout with real buttons—something you won’t find much of in the automaker’s 911.
The lineup starts off with the 300-hp turbocharged flat-4 in base models, which puts out 350 hp in 718 S versions. The GTS models have a bigger 4.0-liter flat-6 that puts out 394 hp; other versions top 400 hp, culminating in the GT4 RS at 493 hp. Most versions come with a slick 6-speed manual gearbox; a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic with rapid-fire shifts is options. These cars boast some of the best steering ever dialed into a production car, plus a poised ride and perfect balance. They’re just analog enough to be thrill machines without feeling like throwbacks. And they offer fuel economy as high as 24 mpg combined for low-guilt enthusiast-driving.
They aren’t particularly practical, though. The cabin is a tight fit even with just a driver aboard. Don’t count on one for hauling your family around.
The 718s may be a bit too analog when it comes to driver-assistance tech, though. They don’t even have standard automatic emergency braking, a feature that’s now included in every subcompact hatchback costing a quarter what a 718 does.
How much does the 2024 Porsche 718 cost?
Porsche charges $69,950 for the cheapest 718 Cayman. An equivalent 718 Boxster is a little over $2,000 more.
Where is the 2024 Porsche 718 made?
In Germany.
2024 Porsche 718 Styling
Boxster or Cayman, the 718 is a pretty choice.
Is the Porsche 718 a good-looking car?
It wears just enough Porsche bonafides to notch a 9 out of 10 on the TCC scale. Both versions of the 718—the Boxster droptop or the Cayman hardtop—share a basic look with curves up front, big headlights, and muscular haunches. They’re far from decadent, with nary a wasted line—unless you opt for the outlandish Cayman GT4 or Boxster Spyder RS. Those models have plenty of tacked-on bits that can look a bit fussy, even if their extra intakes and spoilers are actually functional.
Inside, look for plenty of switches and knobs, unlike some of Porsche’s newer designs. We don’t mind all the physical buttons, which are easy enough to sort through while driving. And in Porsche tradition, the 718 range has an astounding degree of customizability, so there’s no reason to be satisfied with black or gray leather and no flourishes.
2024 Porsche 718 Performance
The 718 offers exceptional balance from its mid-engine configuration.
Porsche’s mid-engine models are darn near perfect when it comes to driving excitement. They’re fantastic sports cars that easily earn a 10 on our scale. We’d even give the highest-performance versions an extra point, if only our scale went to 11.
Is the Porsche 718 4WD?
No. These are rear-wheel-drive cars.
How fast is the Porsche 718?
Base versions put out 300 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque from a flat-4, which hustles these cars to 60 mph in just shy of five seconds. You’ll find a choice between 6-speed manual and 7-speed dual clutch automatic gearboxes, too.
Better yet is the 718 S with its upsized 2.5-liter flat-4, which puts out 350 hp and 309 lb-ft of torque to shave a half second off of the run to 60 mph.
The GTS 4.0 swaps in a flat-6 good for 394 hp. It’s not much faster to 60 mph, but it provides far more confident passing power. And it sounds a heck of a lot better, with a classic Porsche thrum intertwined with a hint of turbo whistle. GT4 and Spyder RS models now put out 493 hp from a version of this engine, which makes them some of the fastest cars in the Porsche lineup.
We prefer the 6-speed manual gearbox, though the available 7-speed dual-clutch automatic will fire through gears far faster than your right hand and clutch leg can ever consider.
These cars aren’t just about going places quickly. They’re about truly enjoying the experience. Even in the most basic 718, you’ll find near-telepathic steering with terrific response and weighting. The poised chassis rides firmly, so opt for adaptive dampers where available to take the edge off especially if you plan to opt for upsized wheels. These cars can be a bit jittery for long-distance driving; they’re not necessarily meant to be grand-tourers in the way Porsche’s own 911 excels.
2024 Porsche 718 Comfort & Quality
The 718 Boxster and Cayman have the kind of limited interior space we expect from two-seat cars.
While they are nicely outfitted and have great seats, the 2024 Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman are not particularly spacious. They’re a 5 on the TCC scale.
All models have standard leather seats that are heated. Power adjustment, more bolstering, and many different upholstery hues and types are optional. Try before you buy if you’re considering a sports seat, though, as the most confining versions may not be suitable for wider passengers.
The 718 Cayman has about 10 cubic feet of cargo space, though what’s there can be tricky to pack since the space itself isn’t a conventional, boxy well. Boxsters have a total of 10 cubes split between front and rear trunks.
Interior materials are in line with pricing. Porsche offers a slew of leather and special trim upgrades—for a price, that is.
2024 Porsche 718 Safety
The 2024 Porsche 718 is one of the last cars without standard automatic emergency braking.
How safe is the Porsche 718?
It has never been crash tested by either the NHTSA or the IIHS, so we can’t say for certain. Most driver-assistance tech requires opting for the available dual-clutch automatic transmission. It’s a shame that Porsche won’t let you pair automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control with the slick manual.
2024 Porsche 718 Features
The 2024 Porsche 718 lineup offers tremendous customization potential.
Porsche charges big money for its 718 Cayman and Boxster models, but good standard fare, plentiful options, and a decent infotainment system add up to an 8 on the TCC scale.
This year, the base Cayman runs $69,950. A similar 718 Boxster is about $2,000 more. That money buys leather trim, heated seats, a 7.0-inch touchscreen, Android Auto/Apple CarPlay compatibility, 18-inch alloy wheels, and automatic climate control. Porsche’s 4-year/50,000-mile warranty is typical for a high-end brand.
Which Porsche 718 should I buy?
That’s a tough one. We’d probably spend the extra $12,000 or so for a Cayman S, which offers a decent power upgrade and 19-inch alloy wheels. Adding such options as metallic paint, upgraded leather trim, multi-adjustable power seats, cooled seats, keyless ignition, adaptive dampers, and Bose audio can nudge the price closer to $95,000.
How much is a fully loaded Porsche 718?
Both the Spyder RS and the Cayman GT4 run about $165,000, and that’s just the starting point. Paint to Sample Plus exterior paint, fancy leather, magnesium wheels, 3D-printed bucket seats, and all sorts of other features make it possible to add another $100,000. Hey, it’s your money.
2024 Porsche 718 Fuel Economy
Porsche’s 718 lineup offers low-guilt fuel economy.
Is the Porsche 718 good on gas?
It’s not too bad for a sports car. Base models are thriftiest at 21 mpg city, 27 highway, 24 combined with the automatic, or 20/25/22 mpg with the manual. S versions use more fuel. Figure 21 to 22 mpg combined. The 6-cylinder GTS steps in at 21 mpg combined with the automatic, or just 19 mpg combined with the manual. RS models are guzzlers at just 16 mpg combined.
