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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2013 Porsche Boxster

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2014 Porsche Boxster

Overview

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2013 Porsche Boxster Review

By Richard Homan

KBB Expert Rating: 8.2

The 2013 Porsche Boxster convertible is a fresh take on mid-engine, rear-drive performance that almost captures the sexy 911-style appeal that the Porsche Cayman has mastered. The new Boxster is slightly bigger than the previous-generation car, but it is tighter and lighter. Its interior is quieter, and you can fold its soft top behind the driver in just nine seconds at speeds up to 30 mph (always a hoot to watch). Blessedly, this 2-seat roadster still dances like a pro and can untangle a twisted road with ease. In the roadster market, the 2013 Boxster is flanked by the Audi TT to the less expensive and the all-new 2014 Jaguar F-Type to the more, and right on top of the BMW Z4 and Mercedes-Benz SLK.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you like to drive and you want to love to drive, or if you love to drive and you've always known that someday you would own a brand-new Porsche convertible, then the all-new 2013 Boxster is what you're all about.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you're not into paying $50,000-$60,000 for your open-top ride, then an Audi TT or Nissan 370Z convertible may be more your speed.

KBB Expert Ratings

Overall Rating

8.2
Driving Dynamics

9.0
Comfort & Convenience

7.8
Design: Interior & Exterior

8.7
Value

7.0
Safety

N/A

How It Ranks

#4

out of 5

MPG

#2

out of 5

Horsepower

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Consumer Rating

9.6 out of 10

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consumer ratings

2013 Porsche Boxster Low/wide front photo

What's New for 2013

The 2013 Porsche Boxster is all-new.

Driving the Boxster

2013 Porsche Boxster Front angle view photo

Driving Impressions With good power always on tap and 40-percent stiffer, lightest-in-class architecture always with its mind on the road, the 2013 Porsche Boxster drives exactly as your imagination would insist that...

a sports car drive. Its massive brakes swallow up speed in one gulp without hesitation. And anyone who tells you that the Boxster's new variable-ratio electric power-steering system takes a back seat to the legendary benchmark Porsche mechanical systems of old is just politicking for another drive in a Boxster. The new electric steering is Porsche clean, if not Porsche "snap judgment" quick, but it's not at all hesitant or indecisive. Ride quality shines brightly whether you're trying to capture the flag on a club track or just get to the restaurant on a Friday evening – in fact, the Boxster engines, suspension and brakes all strike that enthusiast/grand-touring-roadster balance so well that Porsche can almost ask for a trademark on it.

Favorite Features

OUTSIDE INGENUITY
The external view of the 2013 Boxster is one of its primal and performance bests. There's just enough nodding to previous Porsches in the styling, but every element serves a performance purpose as well, from the aero shape and bigger wheels/tires to the broader stance of its stiffer chassis.

INSIDE OUTGOINGNESS
The new Boxster's external balance is mirrored perfectly by the cockpit with its comfy and capable sport seats, plenty sizeable interior, and a top-up quietude that surprised and delighted. As near-exotic as it is, the 2013 Boxster is a cinch to drive easygoing or into battle with equal pleasure.

2013 Porsche Boxster Details

2013 Porsche Boxster Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

Shockingly quiet with the top up and triumphantly alive with the top down, the 2013 Boxster's interior is the roomiest ever. The seats don't really fit you so much as they absorb you, and the driving touch points – steering wheel, shifter, pedals – all direct you to the giddy purpose of sports car fun.

Exterior

For the first time ever, since the 1993 Detroit auto show concept car, a Porsche Boxster looks better in person than it does in pictures. The 2013 Boxster possesses a sharper edge to its lines than ever before, and it's got more good angles, top open or closed.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

Other than the fact that the base Porsche Boxster sport seats are manually adjustable for height and fore/aft positioning (the seatback recline adjustment is electric) in a world where most luxury makers go all-electric, the new Boxsters come deliciously equipped right out of the box. Those manual-adjust seats, for example, are upholstered in durable, suede-like, body-loving Alcantara. The standard "Sport" button on the center console resets the engine responsiveness and quickens the shift points if you have the optional 7-speed PDK automatic transmission.

Optional Equipment

For the hot-blooded, Porsche offers the traction and handling help of torque-vectoring and the Porsche Active Suspension Management system, and the competition quality of ceramic composite brakes. The Sport Chrono Package enhances launch, acceleration and braking to a track-ready degree. For a price, 20-inch wheels can replace the Boxster's 18s or the Boxster S's 19s. For your more peace-loving side, the Boxster offers park-assist options, heated and ventilated seats and a heated steering wheel, plus a host of upgraded sport seats. Naturally, the requisite audio-system upgrades and infotainment packages and options are also offered.

Under the Hood

The new Boxster S carries over a slightly more horsepowerful version of last year's 3.4-liter flat-6, a masterful powerplant that doesn't have a weakness and roars like a warhorse. Developed from that Boxster S engine, the base Boxster's 2.7-liter flat-6 proves itself a more than willing and capable protege. Both Boxsters are available with a 6-speed manual transmission, or a 7-speed PDK automatic with snappin'-quick shifts and better mpg numbers than the shift-it-yourself gearbox.

2.7-liter flat-6
265 horsepower @ 6,700 rpm
206 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400-6,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/30 mpg (manual), 22/32 mpg (automatic)

3.4-liter flat-6
315 horsepower @ 6,700 rpm
266 lb-ft of torque @ 4,500-6,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/28 mpg (manual), 21/30 mpg (automatic)

Pricing Notes

With the destination charges included, a 2013 Porsche Boxster's sticker price starts at $50,450. If you want/need the added authority of a Boxster S, your negotiations will start at $61,850. Either way, you'll be able to bask in the sun and the speed and the knowledge that the resale value on your Boxster is holding its own compared to any other convertible in its neighborhood.

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2013 Porsche Boxster Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.6

Out of 10

Based on 5 Ratings for the 2013 - 2014 models.

Review this car

Value

7.6/10

Quality

10.0/10
Reliability

9.4/10

Performance

10.0/10
Comfort

9.8/10

Styling

9.6/10

Mid-Engine Wonder

By Fabio (CA) on Monday, April 29, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 6,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Superb handling, intoxicating engine noise"

Cons: "none"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This is a sports car enthusiast dream! The handling is superb in any mode, but if you have the dynamic suspensions and Sport Plus; you get the benefit of transforming an excellent sport car in a beast at the touch of a button!"

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Simply the Best

By Linda (LA) on Sunday, April 07, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 7,400

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Performance, it's a full-blooded Porsche"

Cons: "Can be expensive with upgrades"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"2013 Boxster is my first Porsche and I have no regrets. I was so excited to get this car that I ordered it in the fall of 2012. I use it as a daily commuter car, and have been happy with the gas mileage (about 29 MPG). The instruments are intuitive. It is also very comfortable on road trips. I did not appreciate the performance until I attended Porsche Driving School and realized how incredible it really is. The 2 trunks provides plenty of storage, and I love the fact that the roof can be raised in a matter of second while going as fast as 34 MPH. I highly recommend 3 upgrades: 1) full leather interior is a wonderful luxury to the cockpit; 2) bi-zenon lights is a must (I drive a winding country road) to illuminate; and 3) multi-purpose steering wheel to control the computer, radio, and phone. I thought I wanted the manual transmission, but hubby talked me into the PDK. The dual gear box switches gears so much faster than any human can. PDK makes driving in traffic easier or the giddy-up for the highway. The Boxster is no longer a Porsche starter car. It is an equal to its 911 big brother."

9 people out of 9 found this review helpful

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Excellent fun to drive car

By Paul (FL) on Tuesday, March 05, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 6,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 6/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Fun to drive"

Cons: "No place to hang or store a hat. Pricey"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Traded in a 2006 Boxster for 2013. Car is a completely different animal. Much faster, tighter and more fun to drive. It is very comfortable. I drove the car from New York to Florida and had no road fatigue or back discomfort. Living in Florida, the top is hardly ever up, but when those quick rains come, 9 seconds to put the top down on the fly is nice. The car is a real head turner. Only 3 negatives. The 2006 had a solid plexiglass windscreen which filtered out noise so well that you could talk on a bluetooth going 80 mph without the other person hearing wind noise. The 2013 boxster has a mesh windscreen which is extremely noisy and cold at night. 2nd negative is the slide to move the seat forward had the hook facing upward so you could hang a hat on it. The 2013 has the hook going down so there is no place to put a hat. 3rd negative. They removed the storage cabinet behind the driver. I would highly recommend the car. In my opinion the straight boxster is plenty fast so the "S" for $10k extra is not needed. If you get the car enjoy it. It is an everyday driver for me. I have a six speed and the clutch is light and the throw is short and tight. You will love this car."

6 people out of 7 found this review helpful

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The best

By Bernie (IL) on Monday, October 15, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 300

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 7/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Trilled by the entire package"

Cons: "None"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I traded a 2010 Boxster for a 2013 Boxster base. THe new car is superior in every way. The ride has improved immensely and the body structure is unbelievably solid. I live on North Michigan Ave in Chicago and drive in a lot of heavy traffic and the stop start function is incredible. The other feature of the PDK which is incredible is that it coasts on the highway when you back off your speed. the engine reves go to 1200 rpm and when you accelerate the car engine react instantaneously. The sport position on the transmission quicken acceleration response. Every little detail has been improved, e.i quality of the turning lever, the cup holders, interior design and quality. and last but not least the handling has been measurably improved. the car is a sublime driving experience!"

42 people out of 46 found this review helpful

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