Compare the2024 Porsche 718 BoxsterVS 2023 Mercedes AMG SL

Both the 718 Boxster and the AMG SL 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 AMG SL’s (12 vs. 5 years).

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 718 Boxster third among compact premium sporty cars in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The AMG SL 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 Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in initial quality. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes 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 Mercedes 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, Mercedes is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 21 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

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

On the EPA test cycle the 718 Boxster gets better mileage than the AMG SL:

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 AMG SL 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 AMG SL doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

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

The 718 Boxster stops shorter than the AMG SL:

The 718 Boxster S handles at 1.10 G’s, while the AMG SL 55 pulls only 1.04 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the 718 Boxster’s turning circle is 4.6 feet tighter than the AMG SL’s (36.1 feet vs. 40.7 feet). The 718 Spyder RS’ turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the AMG SL’s (37.4 feet vs. 40.7 feet).

The Porsche 718 Boxster may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1100 to 1300 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG SL.

The 718 Boxster is 1 foot shorter than the AMG SL, 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 AMG SL with its top down (9.6 vs. 7.5 cubic feet). The 718 Boxster has a much larger trunk than the AMG SL with its top up (9.6 vs. 8.5 cubic feet).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With a 30% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

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 AMG SL 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 AMG SL doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The Porsche 718 comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Mercedes AMG SL isn’t available as a coupe.

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 AMG SL has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Porsche 718 outsold the Mercedes SL by 33% during 2023.