Porsche Boxster Engine: Worth Your While?

Marie A
Feb 23, 2021

Porsche coupe in motion

When luxury cars call your name, you cannot lose by turning your attention to the Porsche Boxster. With its exquisite styling and powerful engine options, it’s sure to delight you on all your drives. But how to find which engine will serve you best? Just look at the specs.

What are the specs for the Porsche Boxster engines?

The 2021 model comes with either the turbo 2.0L boxer 4, 2.5L boxer 4, or 4.0L boxer 6 engine. Depending on which boxer powerplant you choose, you’ll get anywhere from 300 to 394 horsepower and 280 to 309 lb-ft of torque.

By exploring these engine options in more detail, you can pinpoint your perfect Boxster build ­­­— and we aim to make that easier than ever. Simply use this guide to learn all you need to know, and then get started on your car buying journey.

History of Porsche Boxster Engines

Well known as the car that brought Porsche back from the brink of disaster, the Boxster has maintained a loyal following since its release in 1996. In its early days, it was only graced with their naturally aspirated boxer six engine, which was plenty good enough for everyday jaunts.

Their iconic boxer engine is arranged in a 180-degree V shape with camshafts on either side. The pistons are horizontally opposed with each set moving in tandem as the crank rotates. As each pair of pistons moves through the cylinders, they help complete the combustion cycle and produce gobs of power.

But as emissions regulations tightened up, Porsche made some big changes. They switched from the boxer 6 to using the turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder powerplant.

Now a part of the 718 lineup, the 2017 Boxster was the first to get this engine. It rolled off the production line with 300 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque.

In the next model year, they increased the displacement to 2.5L for the S trim, giving it 350 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. They continued solely using the 2.0L and 2.5L powerplants until 2020 when they rolled out the GTS 4.0 trim level.

The GTS uses the naturally aspirated 4.0L boxer six found in the Cayman GT4. They adjusted the tuning a bit to better match the build, which landed it at 394 horsepower and 309 lb-ft of torque.

With this powerplant installed, the Boxster can reach a top speed of 182 mph and boasts a 0 to 60 time of 4.3 seconds. The 2.0L model is no slouch either with 0 to 60 times of 4.9 seconds and a 170 mph top speed.

Which Models Have the Most Popular Boxster Engines?

The 4.0L boxer six is found at the highest trim levels in the 718 lineup, which includes the:

  • Boxster
  • Spyder
  • Cayman

The 2.0L and 2.5L four-cylinder engines are reserved for the 718’s base and mid-level trims. The 2.0L is also found in the Macan, but it’s tuned differently for that model.

The rest of the Porsche lineup feature their own unique boxer builds, like the twin-turbo 3.0L boxer six in the 2021 911 Carrera. They’ve even departed from the boxer design for many of their vehicles, like the Cayenne and Panamera, which have a V6 instead.

People Also Ask These Boxster Engine Questions

Who Makes the Porsche Boxster Engine?

Porsche AG makes their own engines for the Boxster. They used to outsource the work to Valmet Automotive, but switched production to their Stuttgart, Germany, factory in 2012.

How Long Will a Porsche Boxster Engine Last?

With the right level of care, the Porsche Boxster engine can last at least 150,000 miles. They need regular maintenance to stay in good shape, including oil changes every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.

Is the Porsche Boxster Fast?

With a top speed of 182 mph and 0 to 60 times of just 4.3 seconds, the 2021 Porsche Boxster GTS is the fastest yet. If you want anything faster, you’ll have to go with a Porsche 911, which can hit over 200 mph with ease.

How Fast is a 2000 Porsche Boxster?

The 2000 Porsche Boxster has the 3.2L boxer six engine with 252 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. With all that power, it can reach 60 in 5.9 seconds and has a top speed of 161 mph.

What is the Best Year for a Porsche Boxster?

If you are looking for exceptional performance and the luxury to match, the 2021 Porsche Boxster is the best year. For those who want to skip out on all the initial depreciation, there’s the 2018 model, which will save you about 25% off the original MSRP.

Time to Buy a Boxster? Vehicle History Can Help

When you need accurate info about the cars you’re thinking about buying, you can rely on Vehicle History for help. Through our data partnerships with all the leaders in the automotive industry, we have the information you need to make the best vehicle buying decision possible.

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