Verdict
The Porsche Boxster offers any affordable way into Porsche ownership while still delivering all the poise and performance of more expensive models.

Expert rating: 4.2

Pros
• Superb handling
• Fantastic performance
• Surprisingly practical

Cons
• High running costs
• Confusing speedometer
• Fragile wind deflector

1. Exterior: 4/5
The Porsche Boxster is exceptionally pretty with a front end virtually indistinguishable from the more expensive 911, but the rear has a look all of its own. There are nice touches all around, such as the centrally-mounted exhaust and LED side and tail lights. The standard Boxster features 17-inch alloys, while the Boxster S has 18s, and a wide range of optional designs are available.

2. Interior: 4/5
The interior is largely form over function, but the materials used and the quality with which it's all put together are first rate. Most surfaces are covered in neatly stitched leather. It's clearly laid out too, with apart from the speedo with its 25mph increments - although there's a clear digital readout under the large, centrally-mounted rev-counter.

3. Practicality: 4/5
The rear boot is shallow, but its 130 litres is just big enough for the weekly shop and the 150-litre front boot stretches from the bonnet to the floor. There are a few storage spaces in the cabin in the usual places, and three cubbyholes behind the seats. The electric roof at up to 30mph in 12 seconds. Heated and air-conditioned seats are available too.

4. Ride and handling: 5/5
The Boxster's chassis is a masterpiece, offering superb levels of grip and feedback, and recent suspension tweaks improve things further. The mid-engined layout means almost perfect weight distribution and superb traction. The steering's variable assistance means low-speed manoeuvres can be made easily, but there's weight at speed. The optional Porsche Active Suspension Management firms the suspension at the touch of a button, but with a standard setup as good as this, only the most committed drivers will benefit.

5. Performance: 5/5
The standard Boxster features a 255bhp 2.9-litre engine, while the S packs a 310bhp 3.4-litre unit. With a slick-shifting manual gearbox, the Boxster reaches 62mph in 5.9 seconds, but just 5.8 with the double-clutch PDK automatic gearbox. The Boxster S will hit 62mph in 5.3 and 5.2 seconds for the manual and PDK respectively. Despite this performance, the engine is feels just as at home in start-stop traffic as at high speed. The PDK gearbox is one of the best paddle-shift automatics on the market, with fast and jerk-free gearshifts.

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6. Running costs: 3/5
The Boxster is expensive but used values are rock solid. However, early examples have lost value due to the number of Boxsters around. Servicing is expensive, while insurance and road tax are costly, as are the fuel bills.

7. Reliability: 4/5
As exciting sports cars go, there are few which look better built and even fewer which feel better built. Just watch for signs of a used example being a trackday regular and signs of crash damage. Only the Perspex wind deflector feels fragile.

8. Safety: 4/5
No EuroNCAP crash test results are available, but all Boxsters come with a two-part roll-over protection system, driver and passenger airbags and Porsche Stability Management which encompasses a range of safety equipment. Should the car turn over, protection is offered by two roll bars behind the seats.

9. Equipment: 4/5
All models in the Boxster range have a trip computer, alloy wheels, electrically-operated folding roof, self-raising rear spoiler, LED side and tail lights, air-con and alcantara/leatherette seats. The Spyder sees equipment like air-con and the audio equipment removed.

10. Why buy? 5/5
It's a Porsche well within the reach of the average petrolhead. And one of the best handling cars available at any price.