Ferrari
Portofino
McLaren
720S
Ferrari Portofino vs McLaren 720S: 2020 Comparison
The short answer
The Ferrari Portofino offers fuel economy, while the McLaren 720S excels at power instead. Choose the Ferrari Portofino if you prioritize fuel economy in daily driving, or the McLaren 720S if power matters more for your needs. Both are covered by real owner reports on CarWizz.
Specs side by side
What owners say
Portofino
Overall
Owner sentiment is mixed and highly contextual, defined by its role as a front-engine, 2+2 convertible GT within the Ferrari lineup. It is consistently described as a practical, comfortable, and reliable daily driver or grand tourer, appreciated for its usability, folding hardtop, and the availability of a small rear seat. Several owners report high satisfaction with its reliability and suitability for regular use.
Best version to buy
Insufficient owner data available to specify a best model year or trim. Feedback pertains to the Portofino model line broadly.
Known issues
- ⚠General concerns about high out-of-warranty repair costs: recurrent. Perception of being a "less pure" or "not a true Ferrari" compared to mid-engine models: recurrent.
720S
Overall
Sentiment is sharply divided, creating a high-risk, high-reward ownership profile. The vehicle is universally praised for its staggering performance, with owners describing it as an "absolute savage," "the fastest of the bunch," and offering "the best ICE performance" in its segment. The driving experience is noted for being incredibly engaging, with exceptional handling, grip, and braking performance that is frequently compared to a race car.
Best version to buy
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus "best" version. Owner discussions mention later model years (2020-2021) having better software packages that resolved some electrical glitches present in 2018-2019 cars.
Known issues
- ⚠Poor reliability and frequent mechanical/electrical failures: very common issues include infotainment module failures, failing suspension accumulators, cracked springs, squeaking/worn front bushings, dead accumulators, rattling downpipes,…
- ⚠Low-quality interior materials and build quality: interior described as feeling cheap, using excessive hard plastic, suffering from squeaks and rattles, and having buggy infotainment software. Frequency: very frequent.
- ⚠Rapid depreciation and poor residuals: value sinks faster than competitors due to reliability reputation and high production volumes, making it a poor investment. Frequency: very frequent.
The verdict
The Ferrari Portofino is the better choice for most buyers.
It has better fuel economy on its best-equipped version than the McLaren 720S, based on the data above. If power matters more to you than running costs, the McLaren 720S is worth a closer look instead.
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Frequently asked questions
Which is more reliable, the Ferrari Portofino or the McLaren 720S?
Owner reports show similar reliability sentiment for the Ferrari Portofino and the McLaren 720S. Check the known issues listed above for specific differences between the two.
Which is better for families, the Ferrari Portofino or the McLaren 720S?
The Ferrari Portofino seats more passengers than the McLaren 720S on its catalogued best-equipped version. Body type also differs: the Ferrari Portofino is classed as a Cabriolet, the McLaren 720S as a Roadster.
Which has better fuel economy, the Ferrari Portofino or the McLaren 720S?
The Ferrari Portofino is more fuel-efficient on paper: 11.3 L/100km combined versus 12.2 L/100km for the McLaren 720S, based on the best-equipped catalogued version of each.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Ferrari Portofino or the McLaren 720S?
Exact maintenance costs aren't in our data, but owner reports mention cost-related concerns more often for the McLaren 720S than the Ferrari Portofino. See the known issues comparison above.