2020 Ferrari 488 Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The Ferrari 488 has served as Maranello’s midengine V8 staple since 2015, but after 2020 it will bow out and be replaced by the new F8...

The Ferrari 488 has served as Maranello’s midengine V8 staple since 2015, but after 2020 it will bow out and be replaced by the new F8 Tributo. This is therefore the last year for the 488, and the 2020 lineup consists of just two models, the 488 Pista and the 488 Pista Spider. The Pista is a premium, more powerful version of the 488 that used to slot above the 488 GTB, but the GTB is no longer available.

Behind the driver in the 488 is a wailing 3.9-liter V8 with twin-turbochargers and a hardly believable output of 711 horsepower and 567 pound-feet of torque. The driver can shift via paddles through a 7-speed dual-clutch or let the transmission select gear automatically, but either way the 488 is a devastatingly quick car. The sprint to 60 miles per hour takes less than 3 seconds, and top speed is 211 mph. Expect fuel economy around 15 mpg city, 20 highway, and 17 combined with a solid top and 1 mpg less on the highway with the Spider. Despite its stiffly sprung suspension, low ride height, and incredible on-track capabilities, the 488 Pista is also reportedly easy and comfortable to drive in everyday settings on the road as well.

More driver-focused exotic than luxury gran turismo, the 488 is nevertheless well-equipped and comes with the typical high-quality materials and solid fit and finish one expects from a Ferrari. Standard features include heated power-folding mirrors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, one-piece carbon-fiber seats, dual-zone climate control, parking sensors, and a dual-LCD instrument cluster with navigation. Lots of choices in terms of interior colors and upholstery design also open up the 488 to a degree of personalization.

Even though it’s on its way out, the 488 is still one of the quickest cars out there, and the high-performance Pista version, now the only one available, is a fitting track-focused sendoff for a midengine V8 that did Maranello proud. Buyers wanting the latest and greatest, however, might wait for the new and similar F8 Tributo or for upcoming higher-performance versions of the F8. And for people who are willing to stray outside the Ferrari camp, the Porsche 911 GT2 RS and McLaren 720S are both tempting alternatives.