2007 Porsche Boxster: Road Test
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2007 Porsche Boxster ▼
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- MSRP: $45,600 -$55,500
- Invoice: $38,760 -$48,415
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Our road test for the 2007 Porsche Boxster includes a full evaluation of the 2007 Porsche Boxster from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2007 Porsche Boxster, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2007 Porsche Boxster help you decide if a 2007 Porsche Boxster is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| Base w/18-in. whls., man. | S w/19-in. whls., man. | S w/19-in. whls., auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 9 | 8 | 8.1 |
Smooth, ready power for any situation. S versions particularly strong as rpm climbs. Responsive manual shift gate substitutes better for manual transmission better than most automatics, but still not the sports-car ideal.
FUEL ECONOMY
| Base w/18-in. whls., man. | S w/19-in. whls., man. | S w/19-in. whls., auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 5 | 4 | 4.6 |
No opportunity to measure with 2007 Boxster. All models require premium-grade fuel.
RIDE QUALITY
| Base w/18-in. whls., man. | S w/19-in. whls., man. | S w/19-in. whls., auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 2 | 4.5 |
Firm control, with tire choice a big factor in comfort. No base models with 17-inch tires made available for test. With 18s, Boxster traverses bumps, cracks, patchy pavement with little undue harshness. S model with 19s uncomfortably choppy on all but smooth roads. Uneven surfaces induce more structural shimmy in Boxster than in BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Honda rivals, but body flex never compromising.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| Base w/18-in. whls., man. | S w/19-in. whls., man. | S w/19-in. whls., auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 10 | 10 | 8.6 |
Invigorating. Steering natural, communicative, responsive. Rock-steady on straightaways. Agile, balanced in corners. Tenacious grip in turns. Brake feel, strength inspire confidence.
QUIETNESS
| Base w/18-in. whls., man. | S w/19-in. whls., man. | S w/19-in. whls., auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 4.5 |
Engine's location behind seats means more mechanical rukus than in front-engine designs, but race-car engine note delights. Road noise well-managed, considering wide, low-profile tires. Top up or down, Boxster reasonably well-isolated.
CONTROLS
| Base w/18-in. whls., man. | S w/19-in. whls., man. | S w/19-in. whls., auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 6.7 |
Racy design puts tachometer appropriately dead-ahead. It houses digital road-speed readout to supplement analog speedometer. Control layout logical, but audio, climate systems goverened by too many undersized, look-alike buttons. Rich-feeling, carefully assembled cabin materials enhance sophisticated ambience, but Porsche charges extra for amenities some rivals include as standard, including full leather upholstery and power seats. No opportunity to test navigation system.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| Base w/18-in. whls., man. | S w/19-in. whls., man. | S w/19-in. whls., auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 5.9 |
Low-slung cockpit roomy enough for six-footers. Seats exceptionally supportive during aggressive cornering. Top-up visibility severely limited to corners and aft. Entry/exit demands some flexibility.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| Base w/18-in. whls., man. | S w/19-in. whls., man. | S w/19-in. whls., auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | .6 |
(No rear seating.)
CARGO ROOM
| Base w/18-in. whls., man. | S w/19-in. whls., man. | S w/19-in. whls., auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 2.2 |
Careful packing takes good advantage of cargo bays front and rear for more luggage-carrying possibilities than in many two-seaters. No volume is lost when roof is lowered. Note that Boxster does without a spare tire, supplying instead an emergency inflation kit. Little in-cabin storage space.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| Base w/18-in. whls., man. | S w/19-in. whls., man. | S w/19-in. whls., auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 7 | 6 | 5.4 |
Some less-expensive sports cars challenge Boxster on a fun-per-dollar basis, and some like-priced competitors deliver more outright power. Few, however, match this Recommended pick's range of strengths: road manners and mechanical sophistication to satisfy the most discriminating driver, a good dose of everyday usability, and the cachet of the Porsche name. Prices quickly escalate with options, so seek a modestly equipped model for best dollar value.
Total Score
| Base w/18-in. whls., man. | S w/19-in. whls., man. | S w/19-in. whls., auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | 49 | 46 | 51.1 |
Total Score: 49
Scores for all Premium Sporty/performance Cars
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