2019 McLaren 720S Spider Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byTravis LangnessReviews Editor

　　Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.

　　

What's new

The McLaren 720S Spider is an all-new convertible version of the 720S coupePart of the first McLaren 720S Spider generation introduced for 2019

　　Ever wanted a supercar that could exceed 200 mph? Ever wanted that same supercar to be a comfortable convertible? Well, you're in luck because the 2019 McLaren 720S Spider is just that — a performance marvel that pushes out 710 horsepower through a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8. And it comes with a folding roof, too!

　　Part of McLaren's Super Series, the 720S sits smack-dab in the middle of McLaren's lineup. That means the 720S Spider takes its place between less expensive models such as the 570S and track-dedicated (and much more expensive) machines such as the McLaren Senna. For some, it's the perfect fit. The 720S is unrelentingly fast, reaching 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds, but it's also easy to live with, soaking up most road imperfections. It also boasts clear outward visibility, an adjustable suspension for added comfort, and even an available 360-degree parking camera. Yep, you can sell yourself on this one because it's fun and practical.

　　As with all cars, the 720S does have some imperfections. To start off, the price is more than most houses. In some cases, it's double the price of some vehicles we'd reasonably consider rivals. Plus, it's missing the most modern high-tech features such as adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. Thankfully, though, it's very unlikely that those minor drawbacks will wipe the smile off your face while you're behind the wheel. The 2019 McLaren 720S is a stunning package for any perspective supercar buyer.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our first drive of the McLaren 720S Spider (twin-turbo 4.0L V8 | 7-speed automatic | RWD).

　　

Driving

　　With an estimated top speed of more than 200 mph and 0-60 mph acceleration that breaks the 3-second barrier, the 720S Spider is one of the fastest convertibles on the planet. Even more impressively, it isn't abrasive or brutal when delivering its speed.

　　

Comfort

　　Despite its incredible capabilities, the McLaren 720S is a relatively comfortable vehicle. It absorbs most small road imperfections and cruises along the highway well. This supercar could absolutely double as a daily driver.

　　

Interior

　　With bespoke McLaren touches all around the interior, there's never a lack of high-end materials to see and feel. The available glass roof pillars aid with outward visibility, and no matter your color-palette preferences, McLaren probably has a custom interior setup that will match your aesthetic.

　　

Utility

　　If you're concerned about bringing your Big Gulp or a movie-theater-size popcorn tub on your morning commute, the McLaren probably isn't for you. But then again, no supercar really is. There is limited small-item storage in the cabin, but the front trunk is just 5.2 cubic feet of cargo space, so you'll want to leave your big suitcase at home.

　　

Technology

　　McLaren's attractive 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system offers some decent features such as Bluetooth connectivity and voice controls, but this is no high-tech marvel. A 360-degree parking camera and front and rear parking sensors are available as options, both of which we recommend.

　　

Which 720S Spider does zzdcar recommend?

　　The McLaren 720S comes in three trim levels: base, Luxury and Performance. All three feature the screaming twin-turbo V8, and all three of them are available with virtually endless customization and options. Our recommendation? Configure exactly what you want and have McLaren build it for you just the way you want it.

　　

2019 McLaren 720S Spider models

　　The 2019 McLaren 720S Spider is available in three trim levels: base, Luxury and Performance. All three are powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 that produces 710 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque. It sends power to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. From there, as you'd probably expect with an automaker such as McLaren, the standard equipment is impressive and the list of available options is lengthy.

　　Standard equipment on the base 720S Spider includes a folding hardtop, a carbon-fiber tub, 20-inch rear wheels and 19s on the front, Pirelli high-performance tires, carbon-ceramic brakes (six-piston calipers in the front, four-pistons in the rear), LED headlights and taillights, keyless entry and ignition, and cruise control.

　　On the inside, you get an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation and voice controls, Bluetooth connectivity, two USB ports, a folding driver display, three selectable driving modes (Comfort, Sport and Track), dual-zone climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a four-speaker audio system. The Luxury trim adds creature comforts such as power-adjustable heated seats, interior and engine-bay ambient lighting, upgraded leather upholstery, and hood air intakes.

　　The base and Luxury trim levels of the 720S are available with three optional carbon-fiber packages that add carbon-fiber touches on both the interior and exterior, including door inserts, splitters and diffusers, spoilers, and exterior mirror casings.

　　The Performance trim level gets some of the previously mentioned carbon-fiber trim (mirror casings, bumper, diffuser) as well as some faux-suede and leather interior touches.

　　Additional options include lightweight wheels, high-performance track-spec tires, a 12-speaker Bowers & Wilkins stereo, carbon-fiber racing seats, titanium wheel bolts, unique exterior logos, McLaren's track-telemetry system, front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree parking camera, and a vehicle-lift system for getting over speed bumps and tall driveways.

　　Jump to:Related 2019 720S Spider articles

　　

2019 720S Spider Highlights

Trim: BaseLuxuryPerformanceBase

　　

Base MSRP	$315,000
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	18 MPG
Cost to Drive	$260/month
Seating	2 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	7.3 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / unlimited miles