Compare the2024 Porsche 718 BoxsterVS 2024 Audi S5

Both the 718 Boxster and the S5 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.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the 718 Boxster has a standard 175-amp alternator. The S5’s 150-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the 718 Boxster has a standard 450-amp battery. The S5’s 420-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 718 Boxster third among compact premium sporty cars in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The S5 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in initial quality. With 54 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in long-term dependability. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 11 places higher in reliability than Audi.

The 718 Boxster GTS 4.0’s standard 4.0 GT3 6-cylinder produces 45 more horsepower (394 vs. 349) than the S5’s 3.0 turbo V6. The 718 Spyder RS’ standard 4.0 DOHC 6-cylinder produces 144 more horsepower (493 vs. 349) than the S5’s 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Porsche 718 Boxster is faster than the Audi S5 (automatics tested):

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the 718 Boxster lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability. The S5 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the 718 Boxster 2.0 turbo flat-4 7-speed SMG gets better fuel mileage than the S5 Cabriolet (21 city/27 hwy vs. 20 city/27 hwy).

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 S5 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The 718 Boxster’s optional fuel tank has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the S5 (16.9 vs. 15.3 gallons).

The 718 Boxster offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The S5 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 S5 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 S5 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the 718 Spyder RS CCB’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the S5:

The 718 Boxster Spyder RS 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 S5 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The 718 Boxster stops shorter than the S5:

For better traction and acceleration, the 718 Boxster has larger standard rear tires than the S5 (265/45R18 vs. 255/35R19). The 718 Spyder RS’ rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the S5 (295/30R20 vs. 265/30R20).

For better maneuverability, the 718 Boxster’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the S5’s (36.1 feet vs. 37.7 feet). The 718 Spyder RS’ turning circle is .3 feet tighter than the S5’s (37.4 feet vs. 37.7 feet).

The Porsche 718 Boxster may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 850 to 950 pounds less than the Audi S5.

The 718 Boxster is 1 foot shorter than the S5, making the 718 Boxster easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The 718 Boxster has a much larger trunk with its top down than the S5 Cabriolet with its top down (9.6 vs. 7.3 cubic feet). The 718 Boxster has a larger trunk than the S5 Cabriolet with its top up (9.6 vs. 9.3 cubic feet).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With a 14% lower rating, Audi is ranked 8th.

The 718 Boxster’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The S5 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 S5 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

In case of a sudden change of weather, the 718 Boxster has a standard remote convertible top that can be raised from a distance to protect the interior of the vehicle from damage. On a hot day the 718 Boxster has a standard remote opening feature, to lower the top from outside. The S5 doesn’t offer a remote top, so the driver will have to run to the car, get in, turn the ignition on and raise the top to prevent the interior from being damaged.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Porsche 718 Boxster, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The 718 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024 and 18 more times in the last 20 years. The S5 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.