McLaren vs. Ferrari is a widely debated topic. This review seeks to sift through the opinions and personal preferences and determine which is truly better. Of course, this is always to a degree a subjective question, but looking deeper at both McLaren and Ferrari, there might emerge a true front runner for the world’s better supercar between these two top brands.
McLaren overview
McLaren Automotive is a British car manufacturer that specializes in supercars. They are one of the biggest competitors to Ferrari. However, they are much newer than Ferrari, and they have only been in operation since 1985. They produce all of their supercars in-house by a highly skilled and experienced team of designers.
Making the case for McLaren
At first glance, McLaren and Ferrari might seem similar; they are both supercars that have a pristine reputation. However, there are notable differences and areas where the McLaren is often seen as superior. The most notable benefits that McLaren offers over Ferrari are:
- Superior speed – McLaren and Ferrari are close to the same level of performance strictly from a speed standpoint, but McLaren is in general slightly faster. The McLaren 720S has hit a top speed of 212 MPH, whereas the top Ferrari models reach just above 200 MPH. McLarens typically provide better aerodynamics as well.
- A focus on performance – McLaren may not offer the same level of flash and style as the Ferrari, but its performance is arguably better, especially when comparing the two on the race track rather than street driving. McLaren offers faster speeds, improved aerodynamics, smoother suspension and a lightweight ride.
- They are not mass produced – McLaren produced 2,335 cars in 2019 (pre-pandemic), which was up about seven percent from the number they produced in 2018. The low number of production (which is done to focus on quality over quantity), makes the McLaren more unique and valuable than Ferrari models.
From strictly a racetrack performance viewpoint, the British motor motorbrand has a strong case that it is the top supercar over Ferrari.
The drawbacks to McLaren
There are some notable potential drawbacks to the Mclaren as well. Areas where McLaren may not offer the same level of excellence as the Ferrari include:
- Less elegant design – McLarens look like an elegant supercar, but they do not provide the same level of flash and innovative design as Ferraris. With that said, people take notice when someone is seen driving around in a McLaren.
- Not as ideal for streets – If there is such a thing as too much power, McLarens are it. They can take some getting used to (to say the least), and they do not offer the ease of handling and control for the average driver that Ferraris do.
Of course, this is not to say McLarens cannot be driven on the street or do not have an elegant design, but when compared to Ferrari, they may not have an advantage in these areas.
Ferrari overview
Ferrari is one of the most well-known supercar brands in the world. The luxury automotive brand was founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1947, and they are based in Maranello, Italy. The Italian automotive manufacturer is well-known for its prominence in the Formula One World Championship and production of high-performance cars. They are more than a status symbol for the uber-rich; their performance truly matches their sleek appearance and high price tag.
Making the case for Ferrari
Ferrari often gets more attention. This is likely due to the larger production of Ferrari. However, this is not to say Ferrari is not one of the best high-performance vehicles. The benefits of the Ferrari supercars are:
- Incredibly stylish – The Ferrari looks exactly how you would expect one of the world’s best supercars to look. The elegant designs Ferrari puts forward are truly breathtaking. They ensure their cars are designed for ideal aerodynamics and top speeds while still adding an extra level of flash to the design as well.
- Speed that won’t disappoint – Needless to say, Ferraris are fast. Really fast. The 2020 Ferrari 488 Pista features a 0 to 60 time of 2.85 seconds. As mentioned, the Ferrari 812 Superfast can reach a top speed of over 200 mph.
- Ideal for street driving – Some consider McLarens to be a little much for street driving. A Ferrari combines optimal racetrack performance while still allowing the average driver to handle the supercar with confidence. With impressive handling and better overall control than McLarens, Ferraris typically allow for an easier driving experience.
When you combine the appearance, performance and practicality of Ferrari, you can see why many find it to be the superior brand over McLaren.
The drawbacks to Ferrari
Like McLarens, Ferraris are seemingly perfect if you compare them against most models. However, there are some areas for improvements. The notable drawbacks to Ferrari in the debate for the best supercar include:
- Often more flash than performance – Many believe Ferrari to have the superior design and style, but the overall performance of Ferraris is not believed by many to be quite as good as it is with McLarens.
- More common than McLaren models – McLaren prides itself on the quality and detailed design that goes into each and every car they make. Subsequently, they worry less about the quantity of their production. Ferrari uses the same “quality over quantity model,” but they still produce about three times as many cars each year.
Discussing the “drawbacks” of the McLaren and Ferrari is not easy to do, and it is perhaps nitpicking more than anything else. However, understanding the areas where McLaren may have a slight edge over Ferrari is important in finding the best overall brand.
The final verdict
As mentioned, personal preference always plays a role. Some may find McLaren to be the superior brand, whereas others may prefer Ferrari. We find the British manufacturer to be the best supercar brand when looking at a performance. But, Ferrari is still the best overall brand when considering all factors, including appearance, performance, and ability to drive on the street.