Compare the2022 Porsche 718 BoxsterVS 2021 Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet

Both the 718 Boxster and the C-Class Cabriolet have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes and blind spot warning systems.

The 718 Boxster’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the C-Class Cabriolet’s (12 vs. 5 years).

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 718 Boxster second among compact premium sporty cars in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The C-Class Cabriolet isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche 15th in initial quality. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 25th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche second in reliability, above the industry average. With 36 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 15th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 11 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The 718 Boxster’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 45 more horsepower (300 vs. 255) and 7 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 273) than the C-Class Cabriolet’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The 718 Boxster S’ standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 95 more horsepower (350 vs. 255) and 36 lbs.-ft. more torque (309 vs. 273) than the C-Class Cabriolet’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The 718 Boxster GTS 4.0’s standard 4.0 GT3 6-cylinder produces 139 more horsepower (394 vs. 255) and 36 lbs.-ft. more torque (309 vs. 273) than the C-Class Cabriolet’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The 718 Spyder’s standard 4.0 GT3 6-cylinder produces 159 more horsepower (414 vs. 255) and 36 lbs.-ft. more torque (309 vs. 273) than the C-Class Cabriolet’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the 718 Boxster lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability. The C-Class Cabriolet doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the 718 Boxster GTS 4.0/Spyder’s fuel efficiency. The C-Class Cabriolet doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the 718 Boxster’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The C-Class Cabriolet doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The 718 Boxster offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The C-Class Cabriolet doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The 718 Boxster offers an optional sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The C-Class Cabriolet doesn’t offer an SMG.

The 718 Boxster PDK’s optional launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The C-Class Cabriolet doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the 718 Spyder’s brake rotors are larger than those on the C-Class Cabriolet:

The 718 Boxster offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The C-Class Cabriolet doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The 718 Boxster stops much shorter than the C-Class Cabriolet:

For better traction, the 718 Boxster has larger standard tires than the C-Class Cabriolet (F:235/45R18 & R:265/45R18 vs. F:225/45R18 & R:245/40R18). The 718 Spyder’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the C-Class Cabriolet (F:245/35R20 & R:295/30R20 vs. F:225/45R18 & R:245/40R18).

The 718 Spyder’s 245/35R20 front and 295/30R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the AMG C 43 Cabriolet’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 718 Boxster offers optional 20-inch wheels. The C-Class Cabriolet’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The 718 Boxster offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The C-Class Cabriolet’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The 718 Boxster handles at 1.06 G’s, while the C 300 Cabriolet pulls only .94 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the 718 Boxster’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the C 300 Cabriolet’s (36.1 feet vs. 36.8 feet).

The Porsche 718 Boxster may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 800 to 850 pounds less than the Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet.

The 718 Boxster is 1 foot shorter than the C-Class Cabriolet, making the 718 Boxster easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the 718 Boxster w/Sport Chrono has an electronically controlled liquid-filled front engine mount and conventional liquid-filled engine mounts (standard liquid front mount on other versions of the 718 Boxster). A computer-controlled electric current in the liquid changes its viscosity, allowing the mount to dampen the engine completely at all RPMs. The C-Class Cabriolet uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The 718 Boxster has .5 inches more front headroom and 1 inch more front legroom than the C-Class Cabriolet.

The 718 Boxster has a much larger trunk with its top down than the C-Class Cabriolet with its top down (9.6 vs. 7 cubic feet). The 718 Boxster has a larger trunk than the C-Class Cabriolet with its top up (9.6 vs. 8.8 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the 718 Boxster’s available trunk can be opened just by holding your hand near the emblem on the trunk, leaving your hands completely free. The C-Class Cabriolet doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Porsche first in service department satisfaction. With a 32% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 6th.

The 718 Boxster’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The C-Class Cabriolet does not have an oil pressure gauge.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The 718 Boxster has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The C-Class Cabriolet doesn’t offer headlight washers.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Porsche 718 Boxster and the Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Boxster/Cayman was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 16 of the last 17 years. The C-Class Cabriolet has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The 718 Boxster was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” for 10 of the last 21 years. The C-Class Cabriolet has never been an “All Star.”