Car comparison

Porsche Boxster (981) S 3.4vsPorsche Boxster (986) S 3.2

Compare specs, acceleration, fuel consumption, dimensions, practicality, and estimated running costs side by side.

New comparison

Porsche Boxster (981)

S 3.4

315 hp3436 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedRoadster2012-2016
VS

Porsche Boxster (986)

S 3.2

260 hp3179 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedRoadster2002-2004

Comparison overview

Use the estimates as comparison hints and verify exact figures before making decisions.

Best choices

Porsche Boxster (981) S 3.4

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    5.1 s
  • Fastest top speed
    279 km/h
    173 mph
  • Most powerful
    315 hp
    235 kW
  • Highest torque
    360 Nm
    266 lb-ft
  • Lightest
    1,340 kg
    2,954 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    235 hp/t
    175 kW/t
    4.3 kg/hp
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
    9.0 L/100 km
    26.1 mpg US
    31.4 mpg UK
  • Lowest city consumption
    12.7 L/100 km
    18.5 mpg US
    22.2 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    7.1 L/100 km
    33.1 mpg US
    39.8 mpg UK
  • Best estimated range
    711 km
    442 mi
  • Largest trunk
    280 L
  • Best overall score
    58/100
  • Best performance score
    70/100
  • Best economy score
    83/100
  • Best practicality score
    31/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelPorscheBoxster (981)S 3.4PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
Power
315hp235kW
260hp194kW
Torque
360Nm266lb-ft
310Nm229lb-ft
Curb weight
1,340kg2,954lb
1,360kg2,998lb
Gross weight
1,655kg3,649lb
1,670kg3,682lb
Top speed
279 km/h
173 mph
258 km/h
160 mph
To 99% top speed
66.4s99% target: 276 km/h / 172 mph
Calculated
79.6s99% target: 255 km/h / 159 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
5.1s
6.4s
0-200 km/h
16.1s
Calculated
22.4s
Calculated
0-60 mph
4.9s
Calculated
6.1s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
9L/100 km26.1mpg US31.4mpg UK
11.1L/100 km21.2mpg US25.4mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
12.7L/100 km18.5mpg US22.2mpg UK
16.4L/100 km14.3mpg US17.2mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
7.1L/100 km33.1mpg US39.8mpg UK
8L/100 km29.4mpg US35.3mpg UK
Quarter mile
13.1s
Calculated
14.4s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
235hp/t175kW/t107hp/1000 lb
Calculated
191hp/t143kW/t87hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
269Nm/t180lb-ft/ton
Calculated
228Nm/t153lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
711km442mi
Calculated
577km358mi
Calculated
Displacement
3,436cc210cu in
3,179cc194cu in
Length
4,374mm172in
4,320mm170in
Width
1,801mm71in
1,780mm70in
Height
1,281mm50in
1,290mm51in
Wheelbase
2,475mm97in
2,415mm95in
Front track-
1,455mm57in
Rear track-
1,514mm60in
Ground clearance-
121mm5in
Trunk volume
280L
260L
Doors
2
2
Seats
2
2
Fuel tank
64L
64L
CO2 emissions
211g/km
-

Performance charts

Use the estimates as comparison hints and verify exact figures before making decisions.

Dyno simulation

Estimated stock-style power and torque curves by engine speed.

Porsche Boxster (981) S 3.4Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2PowerTorque
  • Porsche Boxster (981) S 3.4: Power / Torque
  • Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
PorscheBoxster (981)S 3.46,700 rpm4,500-5,800 rpm6,950 rpm
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.26,200 rpm4,600 rpm6,450 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricPorscheBoxster (981)S 3.4PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
4.9 s
6.1 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
5.1 s
6.4 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
16.1 s
22.4 s
Top speed
279 km/h
173 mph
258 km/h
160 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.3 s
2.5 s
330 ft
101 m
5.8 s
6.4 s
1/8 mile
201 m
8.7 s
9.5 s
1000 ft
305 m
11.1 s
12.2 s
1/4 mile
402 m
13.1 s
14.4 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
181 km/h
113 mph
164 km/h
102 mph

Power comparison

Bar comparison chart for Power. Higher is better · hp / kW

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (981)S 3.4
315 hp
235 kW
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
260 hp
194 kW

Porsche Boxster (981) S 3.4 has 55 hp more than Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2.

The biggest power difference is between Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2 and Porsche Boxster (981) S 3.4: 55 hp (41 kW).

Torque comparison

Bar comparison chart for Torque. Higher is better · Nm / lb-ft

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (981)S 3.4
360 Nm
266 lb-ft
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
310 Nm
229 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

Bar comparison chart for Curb weight. Lower is better · kg / lb

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (981)S 3.4
1,340 kg
2,954 lb
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
1,360 kg
2,998 lb

Top speed without limiter comparison

Bar comparison chart for Top speed without limiter. Higher is better · km/h / mph

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (981)S 3.4
279 km/h
173 mph
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
258 km/h
160 mph

0-100 km/h comparison

Bar comparison chart for 0-100 km/h. Lower is better · seconds

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (981)S 3.45.1 s
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.26.4 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between Porsche Boxster (981) S 3.4 and Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2: 1.3 s.

Fuel consumption comparison

Bar comparison chart for Fuel consumption. Lower is better · L/100 km / mpg US / mpg UK

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (981)S 3.4
9.0 L/100 km
26.1 mpg US
31.4 mpg UK
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
11.1 L/100 km
21.2 mpg US
25.4 mpg UK

The biggest fuel consumption difference is between Porsche Boxster (981) S 3.4 and Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2: 2.1 L/100 km.

Power-to-weight comparison

Bar comparison chart for Power-to-weight. Higher is better · hp/t / kW/t

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (981)S 3.4
235 hp/t
175 kW/t
4.3 kg/hp
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
191 hp/t
143 kW/t
5.2 kg/hp

Estimated range comparison

Bar comparison chart for Estimated range. Higher is better · km / mi

Chart data table
VehicleValue
PorscheBoxster (981)S 3.4
711 km
442 mi
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
577 km
358 mi

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
PorscheBoxster (981)S 3.4
315 hp
235 kW
5.1 s
279 km/h
173 mph
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
260 hp
194 kW
6.4 s
258 km/h
160 mph

Most attractive quadrant

Scatter chart with performance score on the X axis and practicality score on the Y axis.

Chart data table
VehiclePerformance scorePracticality score
PorscheBoxster (981)S 3.4
Power
315 hp
235 kW
0-100 km/h5.1 s
Top speed
279 km/h
173 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
280 L
9.9 cu ft
Length
4,374 mm
172.2 in
Height
1,281 mm
50.4 in
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
Power
260 hp
194 kW
0-100 km/h6.4 s
Top speed
258 km/h
160 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
260 L
9.2 cu ft
Length
4,320 mm
170.1 in
Height
1,290 mm
50.8 in

Performance vs fuel economy

Cars closer to the top-right corner combine stronger performance with better fuel economy scores.

Performance vs fuel economy data table
VehiclePerformance scoreFuel economy score
PorscheBoxster (981)S 3.4
Power
315 hp
235 kW
0-100 km/h5.1 s
Top speed
279 km/h
173 mph
9.0 L/100 km
26.1 mpg US
31.4 mpg UK
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
Power
260 hp
194 kW
0-100 km/h6.4 s
Top speed
258 km/h
160 mph
11.1 L/100 km
21.2 mpg US
25.4 mpg UK

Porsche Boxster (981) S 3.4 is closest to the top-right balance target for performance and fuel economy.

Acceleration vs fuel consumption

Cars closer to the lower-left corner offer a better mix of quick acceleration and low fuel consumption.

Acceleration vs fuel consumption data table
VehicleFuel consumption, L/100 km0-100 km/h, s
PorscheBoxster (981)S 3.4
9.0 L/100 km
26.1 mpg US
31.4 mpg UK
5.1 s
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
11.1 L/100 km
21.2 mpg US
25.4 mpg UK
6.4 s

Power-to-weight vs fuel consumption

The shaded area favors higher power-to-weight with lower combined fuel consumption.

Power-to-weight vs fuel consumption data table
VehiclePower-to-weight, hp/tFuel consumption, L/100 km
PorscheBoxster (981)S 3.4
235 hp/t
175 kW/t
4.3 kg/hp
9.0 L/100 km
26.1 mpg US
31.4 mpg UK
PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
191 hp/t
143 kW/t
5.2 kg/hp
11.1 L/100 km
21.2 mpg US
25.4 mpg UK

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehiclePorscheBoxster (981)S 3.4PorscheBoxster (986)S 3.2
Power
315 hp
235 kW
260 hp
194 kW
Torque
360 Nm
266 lb-ft
310 Nm
229 lb-ft
Acceleration
5.1 s
6.4 s
Top speed
279 km/h
173 mph
258 km/h
160 mph
Lightness
1,340 kg
2,954 lb
1,360 kg
2,998 lb
Fuel consumption
9.0 L/100 km
26.1 mpg US
31.4 mpg UK
11.1 L/100 km
21.2 mpg US
25.4 mpg UK
Practicality
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
280 L
9.9 cu ft
Length
4,374 mm
172.2 in
Height
1,281 mm
50.4 in
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
260 L
9.2 cu ft
Length
4,320 mm
170.1 in
Height
1,290 mm
50.8 in
Range score
711 km
442 mi
577 km
358 mi
CO2 score
211 g/km
-
Trunk score
280 L
9.9 cu ft
260 L
9.2 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
235 hp/t
175 kW/t
4.3 kg/hp
191 hp/t
143 kW/t
5.2 kg/hp
Overall
Fixed score
Fixed score

Fuel cost and annual usage

Estimate running costs from combined consumption, your annual distance, and the fuel price in your local currency.

Enter the fuel price in your local currency, for example €/L, $/gal, £/L or any other local currency.

LC = Local Currency

Fuel cost and annual usage
VehiclePorsche Boxster (981) S 3.4Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2
Consumption9 L/100 km26.1 mpg US31.4 mpg UK11.1 L/100 km21.2 mpg US25.4 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km15.75 LC100 km19.43 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi25.35 LC100 mi31.26 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,350 L357 US gal297 UK gal1,665 L440 US gal366 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,363 LC/year2,914 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

Porsche Boxster (981) S 3.4

  • Has 55 hp more
  • Has 50 Nm more
  • Is 20 kg lighter
  • Is 1.3 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 21 km/h (13 mph) higher top speed
  • Uses 2.1 L/100 km less fuel
  • Has 44 hp/t better power-to-weight
  • Has 135 km (84 mi) more estimated range
  • Has 20 L more trunk volume

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Highest top speed
  • Most powerful
  • Highest torque
  • Lightest
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
  • Best power-to-weight ratio
  • Best estimated range
  • Largest trunk

Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2

No measurable advantages in the available data.

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h
  • Lowest power
  • Highest combined fuel consumption
  • Heaviest
  • Lowest top speed
  • Smallest trunk

Choose cars to compare

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Model
Generation
Engine or modification
Porsche Boxster (981) S 3.4
Porsche Boxster (986) S 3.2
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