Compare the2025 Porsche 718 BoxsterVS 2024 Maserati GranCabrio

To maximize occupant safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Porsche 718 Boxster have pretensioners to eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Maserati GranCabrio doesn’t offer pretensioners.

The Porsche 718 Boxster has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The GranCabrio doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the 718 Boxster and the GranCabrio have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 8 years and unlimited miles longer than the GranCabrio’s (12/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

There are over 83 percent more Porsche dealers than there are Maserati dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 718 Boxster’s warranty.

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

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

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

The 718 Boxster offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The GranCabrio 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 GranCabrio doesn’t offer an SMG.

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

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 GranCabrio doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

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

The 718 Boxster is 1 foot, 11.1 inches shorter than the GranCabrio, making the 718 Boxster easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The 718 Boxster is 6 inches narrower on average than the GranCabrio, making the 718 Boxster easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The 718 Boxster has a much larger trunk with its top down than the GranCabrio with its top down (9.7 vs. 4.6 cubic feet). The 718 Boxster has a much larger trunk than the GranCabrio with its top up (9.7 vs. 6.1 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 GranCabrio doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

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 GranCabrio doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 GranCabrio 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.

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 GranCabrio doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The Porsche 718 comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Maserati GranCabrio 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 2025 and 19 more times in the last 20 years. The GranCabrio has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.