Porsche is one of the most important names in the history of sports cars, and 718 is one of the most important numbers in the history of Porsche. In the 1960s, variants such as the 718 RSK and 718 RS 60 utterly dominated sports car racing, European hill climb, and even FIA Formula 2 competition. Now, the 2024 Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman are here to carry on the tradition.
What began as a code number written on a workshop file more than 70 years ago has become a synonym for sports car excellence. When Porsche decided in 2016 to attach the number 718 to the fourth-generation Boxster and third-generation Cayman—replacing the original 982 internal code—it made a statement that this vehicle was aiming for a high bar.
Porsche previously announced the Cayman and Boxster would go all-electric for the 2025 model year, although it later rolled back that statement and made the decision to produce both gasoline and electric models side by side for at least a few more years. What note is this generation going out on? That’s the question many Porsche and sports car fans are asking. The short answer is that if you’re looking for pure fun behind the wheel, the 2024 Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman remain tough to beat. Let’s go over what makes these two-seater vehicles such a joy and what the latest edition has to offer.
A Masterpiece of Power
The 2024 Porsche 718 Boxster and 2024 Porsche 718 Cayman are proof you don’t need 8, 10, or even 12 cylinders to feel all-powerful in a sports car. Hell, you may not even need six cylinders. These vehicles have four engine options, so you can pick the right combination to carry you over the roads.
The most powerful engine is the 4.0L flat-six found in the 2024 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS and Boxster Spyder RS. Producing 493 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque, this naturally-aspirated engine goes toe-to-toe with many V8 performance car power plants such as those in the Ford Mustang GT, Chevy Corvette Stingray, and Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack. With the compact and lightweight Porsche 718, such an engine will take you from zero to 60 mph in a lighting-fast 3.2 seconds.
Even the lowest engine option—a 2.0L turbocharged flat-four—still has 300 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, which outshines the base option in competitors like the BMW Z4 and Mazda MX-5. You’ve also got a 2.5L turbocharged flat-four producing 350 hp and 309 lb-ft of torque in the Cayman S and Boxster S, while the GTS 4.0 models receive a flat-six with 394 hp and 309 lb-ft of torque. We would suggest going for at least the 2.5L engine if you have the budget for it, as this gives you the extra oomph to take advantage of the 718’s sporty driving capabilities. However, purists will likely want to secure a six-cylinder model for that classic Porsche sound.
Versatility for Street and Track
All the power in the world doesn’t matter much if you can’t control it. But the 2024 Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman are ready to tackle any path. The chassis is precisely balanced so it can handle department store parking lots, interstate highways, or the Laguna Seca corkscrew with the same ease. Every 718 comes with the Porsche Stability Management system, so traction remains consistent even when the roads aren’t. You also get electromechanical direct power steering to turn on a whim.
The upper trims bring even more amazing handling. The optional Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), which has Normal and Sport modes, uses electronic adaptive dampers to adjust in real-time and lowers the body by 10mm for even more stability. The GTS 4.0 includes the PASM Sport Suspension to give it a racing edge. With this option, you get 20mm of lowering plus harder, shorter springs and stiffer lateral stabilizers for the utmost responsiveness.
The 2024 Porsche 718 comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission, letting you choose exactly when to grab a gear. If you just want to press the gas and go, ask for the optional PDK seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox—although you will still have paddle shifters for manual gear changes. Porsche Torque Vectoring, which gives you extra traction through the corners, is standard on the GTS 4.0 and optional on other 718 models. And we haven’t even mentioned the lights—every Porche 718 comes with Bi-Xenon or LED headlights that use a dynamic lighting system to help you see more at night.
Vintage Style Meets Modern Comfort
On the outside, the 2024 Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman are as retro as they come, with graceful lines straight out of the 1960s and refined exhaust notes from the higher engine options. Inside, though, they are a modern driving machine. The seats are incredibly comfortable, and for a car of this size, there’s an impressive amount of head and leg room. The Sport Seats are some of the coziest and most supportive around, and they can be purchased with power adjustment—or switched with full bucket seats made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic to reduce weight. Leather upholstery and dash upgrades are available and don’t cost a fortune.
As for things to do on the go, you get a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen and Apple CarPlay as standard features (Android users, unfortunately, remain out of luck). Voice control, onboard navigation, and a Burmester 12-speaker sound system are available as add-ons. The mid-engine design gives you front and rear luggage compartments to work with for long trips. With the Porsche Communication Management Finder, you can easily track down everything from gas stations to hotels when you’re traveling. Safety features such as ParkAssist, lane change assistance, and automatic cruise control keep you confident while squeezing out every ounce of performance.
The 2024 model year also brings the Boxster and Cayman Style Editions if you want to fancy the base model up so it feels like the mini-supercar it is. This package includes:
- 20-inch wheels
- Sleek black tailpipes
- Hood and door stripes
- Special-edition floor mats
- A heated leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Light-up door sill plates
- A Porsche logo embossed on the headrests
What Is the Difference Between the 718 Boxster and the 718 Cayman?
At their core, the 2024 Boxster and the 2024 Cayman are essentially the same car with the same engine, suspension, and chassis options. So, which one should you be eyeing for your collection? The primary considerations come down to comfort and functionality. For starters, the Boxster is a convertible roadster, while the Cayman is a hardtop coupe. If you want to put the top down to enjoy the sun and engine sound, the Boxster is your only option.
The trade-off is that the Cayman offers significantly more cargo room and better sound system options than the Boxster. The hardtop also means you will be allowed at more race tracks without installing a rollbar. While both models have a front luggage compartment of 5.2 cu.ft., the Cayman rear trunk is more than twice the size, coming in at 9.7 cu.ft. versus 4.4 cu.ft. in the Boxsster. The standard Cayman sound system has eight speakers against six speakers for the Boxster, and you also have the option to add a Bose 10-speaker system, so audiophiles might be more drawn to the Cayman.
The Legacy of Porsche
Are the Porsche 718 Cayman and Boxster the car to end all cars? Well, you probably won’t be able to put a lot in the cabin, which is no surprise for a two-seater. And we could certainly do with some better cup holders and a more modern infotainment system. But when we put the gas pedal to the floor and zip around the bend, those minor grievances melt away. This is a car for people who love driving first and foremost, and while it may be the smallest Porsche vehicle, it will have a huge presence wherever you go.
It’s no surprise the 2024 Porsche 718 was named one of the 10Best cars by Car and Driver, marking its 19th consecutive year on the prestigious list. Whether you’re getting it as a daily driver or a Sunday Funday car, you’ll enjoy every second. So you can take the wheel knowing that the not-quite-final gas-powered versions of the 718 Boxster and Cayman have made their Porsche heritage proud.
