2021 McLaren 720S Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The world of supercars is an interesting place. Automakers build a featherweight car with big power, a mid- or rear-engine design, and give...

The world of supercars is an interesting place. Automakers build a featherweight car with big power, a mid- or rear-engine design, and give it insane bodywork—and the best part is that most of them are legal to drive on the streets. McLaren has built some of the world’s most iconic models, including the F1 and P1, but its “normal” road-going cars are no joke, either. The 720S brings blistering performance to the street in either a coupe or convertible format, and it does so with a host of technology features that would make a Formula 1 car jealous. Well, not really, but there’s more to this car than anyone would ever need.

The McLaren 720S gets a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 making 710 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque. All of that fury hits the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The 720S’s 0-60 mph time lands well below the three-second mark, and it can go on to hit a top speed of 212 mph.

To keep weight down, the 720S features a carbon fiber body shell, which provides great strength, safety, and rigidity without tipping the scales too far. The engine is mounted as low as possible between the axles to deliver the best handling, and an active chassis control system constantly adjusts damper pressure to maintain traction and preserve handling characteristics. A variable drift control system allows the driver to dial in the rate of oversteer they desire, and the car’s onboard telemetry system offers data on G-forces, speed, sector times, and more.

Alcantara or Nappa leather upholstery are available, and the 720S’ cabin comes packed with machined aluminum accents. McLaren says its goal with the car was to create a luxurious environment in a sporty package that could provide blistering performance when asked. Several clever tricks help it achieve that goal, such as the folding gauge cluster that shifts based on the selected driving mode to display only relevant information.

A 7-inch touchscreen comes standard, accompanied by a modest audio system, a pair of USB inputs, and Bluetooth. Stereo upgrades are available, and the car can be equipped with additional cameras. Parking sensors and a front lift system are available. The 720S rides so low that it requires a nose lift to get over speedbumps and over steep entryways. No other traditional safety systems are available, such as blind-spot monitoring or forward-collision warnings.

Pricing for the McLaren 720S starts at more than $300,000, but that’s far from its ceiling. The top-end Spider will cost around $330,000 to start, and all 720S models can be customized to the buyer’s specifications. Of course, with great options comes great cost, which is exactly the case with the McLaren. It’s easy to drive the already stressful price tag much higher with added performance features, special colors, and other custom options.