2019 Porsche 718 Boxster
The 2019 Porsche 718 Boxster's sublime driving dynamics, punchy turbocharged flat-four engines, classic styling, and quickly folding soft top make it one heck of a sports car鈥攐ne that we regularly add to our annual 10Best Cars list. Its low center of gravity and brilliant suspension give it tenacious grip in cornering and unflappable handling that together make even novice drivers feel like Steve McQueen. Most versions ride almost gracefully, enough to make the Boxster a comfortable daily commuter. It's not great for grocery runs, however鈥攚hat with a small rear trunk situated atop the engine compartment and another tiny cargo box in the front trunk. But that's no different than most sports cars, and if you pack lightly, the Boxster can work for weekend getaways. It's certainly a head turner鈥攖hat is, if you can slow down for long enough to give passersby a chance to gawk. What's New for 2019? Not much. Last year's optional sport-exhaust system is now standard across the 2019 Boxster range.
Porsche's Car Connect system鈥攚hich provides remote vehicle-status updates, remote services, and vehicle tracking鈥攊s also now included as standard. The famed Boxster Spyder returns for 2020 with a 414-hp flat-six engine. 81,630 price tag, and to be quite honest, it was loaded up with goodies we could live without. We'd still go with the more powerful S model for the extra performance and equipment, such as bixenon headlamps, LED taillights, two USB ports, and cross-drilled brake rotors with red calipers. Likes: Perfectly balanced handling, communicative steering, strong braking performance. Dislikes: Gruff engine noises. The Boxster is available with either a 300-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter flat-four-cylinder engine (base model), a 350-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four (S model), or a 365-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four (GTS model). All three engines come standard with an excellent, satisfying six-speed manual gearbox, but can also be equipped with Porsche's clairvoyant seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Unsurprisingly, the highest-powered GTS model with the automatic transmission managed a brisk 3.6-second run from zero to 60 mph in our testing. The base and S models are certainly no slouches at our test track, though, with 4.4- and 4.3-second results in that same test, respectively; both of those models were tested with the six-speed manual.
The Boxster's handling and steering prowess are the characteristics that most inspire our affections. The mid-engine layout helps the Boxster feel balanced and stable through corners, while the brilliantly communicative, firm steering reacts quickly and accurately to even small inputs. Both Boxster models corner as if the tires were smeared with Gorilla Glue. Extras such as Porsche's adaptive damper system and an available torque-vectoring rear differential may help improve handling even further, but even base-spec Boxsters behave precisely the way we want them to, even (perhaps especially) when pushed hard. The turbo 2.0-liter flat-four and six-speed manual that make up the Boxster's entry-level powertrain are rated by the EPA to earn 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. Stepping up to the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic earns buyers 1 mpg extra in each category but ordering the S or GTS model slightly reduces fuel-efficiency ratings. We've tested both a base Boxster and a Boxster S on the highway, and both models outperformed their respective EPA ratings by an impressive 4 mpg. Likes: Perfect driving position, performance-oriented gauges, intuitive infotainment.
Dislikes: Noisy cabin at cruising speed, interior cubby storage is very limited, all the niceties cost extra鈥攁 lot extra. 500 for an instrument-cluster cover, center-console lid, and door-panel trim pieces. The Boxster's two flimsy, dash-mounted pop-out cupholders reveal their Teutonic disdain for driving with beverages鈥擥ermans don't drink their Nachmittagskaffee while they drive, after all鈥攁nd won't be helpful if a full venti latte is onboard. We'd usually complain about a mere two USB ports, but with only two seats in the car, the Boxster gets a pass. There's also a standard CD player for drivers who prefer their audio in high fidelity. Navigation, 4G LTE Wi-Fi, and Apple CarPlay are all available, but Android Auto is still not available in any Porsche. The Chevrolet Corvette is the only car in this class that comes close to having a truly useful cargo hold, but the Boxster and the fixed-roof Porsche Cayman at least offer the flexibility of both front and rear cargo compartments. One carry-on suitcase fits in the trunk and two fit in the front-trunk (frunk). In-cabin storage is seriously lacking, though. Without ratings from crash-test agencies, we can't judge how safe the Boxster would be in a crash. Some driver-assistance features are absent, but we're at least glad of the standard backup camera and parking sensors. Porsche offers a warranty package that is slightly above average for the class and provides longer bumper-to-bumper coverage than the Corvette. The Jaguar F-type's warranty offerings beat out all challengers with the longest terms and a generous five years or 60,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance.
The guys from Consumer Reports are widely known throughout the US and their opinion usually matters quite a lot to their readers. The new X5 truly is a different car to its predecessor and can now rival the other brilliant performers in its segment better. It does such a good job though that it earned a prestigious recommendation from Consumer Reports, which isn鈥檛 easy to get. The new G05 X5 claimed the title of the Best Luxury SUV, CR claiming it was one of the best vehicles they鈥檝e ever tested. That鈥檚 rather high praise too, considering how they usually do things. According to them, the ride is comfortable and composed, the interior is quiet and impeccably finished while the seats are all-day comfortable. All in all, the X5 is a winner in their book but that鈥檚 not all. The BMW brand performed rather well too in their overall brand rankings. Subaru claimed the top spot in their Car Brand Overall rankings, climbing six places compared to last year and overtaking Genesis for the number one spot. Genesis now came in second, followed by Porsche. Audi, Lexus and Mazda came fourth, fifth and sixth respectably while BMW came in seventh after losing a couple of points compared to last year. Overall though, the Bavarian brand performed well, unlike Fiat or Jaguar, for example, which came in last and next to last.