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2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata vs Porsche 718 Boxster: What To Buy?
The Mazda MX-5 Miata delivers an enjoyable driving experience with its light curb weight and finely tuned chassis. Providing endless thrills on twisty roads and tracks despite its small size. Its responsive 181-hp 2.0L four-cylinder engine pairs well with the standard six-speed manual transmission, and the option for a soft top or retractable hardtop adds versatility. In contrast, the Porsche 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman. Initially conceived as a lineup amuse-bouche, have evolved into mid-engined performers that share showroom space with the beloved 911. The Boxster, even with its base turbo four-cylinder. Impresses with crisp handling and a superbly balanced chassis, making it a sports car masterpiece.
| Mazda MX-5 Miata | Porsche 718 Boxster | |
| Dimensions | 154.1 in x 68.3 in x 48.6 in | 174.5 in x 71.0 in x 49.6 in |
| Engine | 2.0L DOHC inline-4 | 4.0L NA flat-6 |
| Horsepower | 181 hp | 414 hp |
| Torque | 151 lb-ft | 309 lb-ft |
| 0-60 MPH | 5.7 sec | 3.4 sec |
| 0-100 MPH | 16.1 sec | 8.2 sec |
| Top-Speed | 140 mph | 187 mph |
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Engine & Performance
The Miata’s engine eagerly revs, delivering abundant power for an exhilarating acceleration experience. Its straightforward manual transmission not only simplifies shifting but also encourages drivers to explore its performance limits. Even the automatic option stands out with swift shifts and a sporty feel. While Miatas typically provide a firm ride, especially the Club variant with its stiffer shocks and springs. None of them exhibits poor handling. However, on uneven or bumpy roads, Miatas may feel a bit jittery. These distinctive characteristics collectively make the Miata lineup a delightful choice for drivers in search of an energetic and engaging ride.
Price & Mileage
Expected updates to the Miata hint at Mazda retaining its existing trim levels, but there’s a chance of a price increase. Potentially surpassing the $30,000 mark for the first time. Despite its compact size, the 2.0L engine demonstrates commendable EPA fuel efficiency. Reaching up to 26 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. The possible uptick in cost is noteworthy, particularly given the modest dimensions of the car.
Acceleration & Features
Zooming from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.7 seconds in tests. The soft-top model outpaces its slightly heavier hardtop RF counterpart, which clocked in at 5.8 seconds. The Miata features an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with user-friendly controls like a convenient knob and hard buttons on the centre console. Every Miata comes standard with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, ensuring seamless connectivity. For those seeking an audio upgrade, there’s the option of a Bose stereo with speakers cleverly embedded in the Miata’s headrests.
Porsche 718 Boxster
Engine & Performance
The Boxster lineup offers four engine options. A 300-hp turbocharged 2.0L flat-four, a 350-hp turbocharged 2.5L flat-four on the S model, a 394-hp 4.0L flat-six on the GTS 4.0, and a powerful 493-hp 4.0L flat-six on the Spyder RS. Each engine is paired with a precise, low-effort six-speed manual transmission, though buyers can opt for Porsche’s responsive seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic. Both the base and S models provide an enjoyable and high-performance driving experience. The Boxster impresses with its outstanding handling and steering prowess, earning deep admiration. It feels balanced and stable in corners, and the exceptionally communicative steering reacts quickly and accurately to even small inputs.
Price & Mileage
The Porsche 718 Boxster comes with a price starting at $72,050 for the Base model and reaching $162,350 for the Spyder RS. For those seeking an exceptional driving experience without budget constraints, the GTS 4.0 model, featuring a powerful and melodious flat-six engine, stands out as the Boxster of choice. The base Boxster, equipped with a turbocharged 2.0L flat-four and a six-speed manual transmission, achieves an EPA-rated fuel efficiency of 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. Opting for the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic results in 1 mpg more in each category. The S and GTS models fare only slightly worse in fuel efficiency.
Acceleration & Features
Launching the car isn’t the easiest task, as it doesn’t favor a slipped clutch off the line. However, it still impressively achieved a 3.9-second run to 60 mph and sped through the quarter-mile in 12.1 seconds at 118 mph. While some might find the availability of only two USB ports worth complaining about, considering the car seats only two, it’s likely sufficient for most drivers. Additionally, there’s a standard CD player for those who still prefer CDs. For added convenience, buyers can opt for navigation and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Porsche now includes Apple CarPlay integration as a standard feature, though Android Auto is still not offered.