2021 Mclaren 720s

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Rating7.5

Ranked #9 in 

Midsize Coupe
Write Review
$299,000 - $327,130
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 1, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Face melting acceleration

Way too expensive with all the options onboard

Remains unchanged for 2021.

Lightweight carbon fiber monocage II chassis

Interior cargo space is scanty

Stellar braking performance

Astonishing looks

MSO option that comes in handy

Specs & Features

$299,000

price

710 hp @ 7500 rpm

horsepower

568 lb.-ft. @ 5500 rpm

torque

7-Speed Automated Manual

transmission

4.0L 8cyl RWD 7AM

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The McLaren 720s is the range-topping supercar from the extravagant British automaker and it is one of the greatest cars to emerge from the McLaren’s factory. It is more of a spaceship than a car and the way it looks will blow your mind. As far as the performance goes, it is absolutely mental and annihilates all its rivalries by a substantial margin. For 2021, the McLaren 720s remain the same as its previous generation. Moreover, it gets a truckload of modern features that will make you awestruck. 

Buying Advice

 We recommend the base trim as it offers all the essential features that are necessary for a supercar but when it comes to buying a supercar, money will not matter much to you. But if it doesn’t seem sufficient, the luxury trim offers some additional luxury features to keep you comfortable as much as possible when you go for a long drive. However, the performance trim is for the people who love track driving and hyper driving because it offers carbon fiber materials inside out which could also shed some weight.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

For instance, the 720s has a very cool feature called variable drift control where you can adjust the amount of power and brake force sent to the wheels. To put things into perspective, it is an even more sophisticated version of traction control that lets you drift the car with so much ease by setting the angle of the drift in the center infotainment screen. On the flip side, it is expensive enough to empty your bank account. Furthermore, it gives a strong competition to top dogs like the Lamborghini Aventador S, Ferrari 812 Superfast, and Aston Martin DBS Superleggera.

Features

The McLaren 720s is offered in three different trim levels that set each other apart by the features they offer. To start with, the base trim is priced at $305,000 which offers all the nitty-gritty that you would want from a supercar. On the other hand, the luxury trim offers oodles of creature comfort features like Full leather upholstery, Heated Power-adjustable seats, and dark palladium exterior trim. Whereas, the Performance trim is focussed more on the performance side. It offers lightweight elements like Carbon fiber exterior trim, Alcantara upholstery, and carbon fiber racing seats. However, both the trims will cost you the same price of $313,630.

Trim

Base

Luxury

Performance

MSRP

$305,000

$313,630

$313,630

Key Features

Alcantara & Nappa leather interior

In addition to or replaces 720s features

In addition to or replace 720 Luxury features

 

Aluminum body

More color options for exterior trim

Carbon fiber exterior trim

 

Use of carbon fiber for interiors

Heated and power-adjustable seats

Alcantara upholstery

 

Four speakers

Reclining driver and passenger seats

interior ambient lighting

 

ABS and driveline traction control

Interior ambient lighting

engine bay ambient lighting

Which Trim should you buy?

 We recommend the base trim as it offers all the essential features that are necessary for a supercar but when it comes to buying a supercar, money will not matter much to you. But if it doesn’t seem sufficient, the luxury trim offers some additional luxury features to keep you comfortable as much as possible when you go for a long drive. However, the performance trim is for the people who love track driving and hyper driving because it offers carbon fiber materials inside out which could also shed some weight.

Fuel Economy
5.0/10

The McLaren 720s trumps its rivals in terms of fuel efficiency due to its smaller size and forced induction. It clearly wins the fuel economy test. It returns a mileage of 15 mpg in the city, 22 mpg while cruising down the highway, and a combined fuel economy of 18 mpg which is surprisingly good by supercar standards. On the downside, it comes with a less voluminous fuel tank which can hold up to 19 gallons of fuel which in turn offers the highest range of 285 miles in the city and 418 miles on the highway. The McLaren 720S never fails to surprise us in every aspect.

Models

2021 McLaren 720S Coupe

2021 Lamborghini Aventador S

2021 Ferrari 812 Superfast

2021 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera

MPG (City)

15

8

12

14

MPG (Highway)

22

14

16

22

MPG (Combined)

18

10

13

17 

Fuel Capacity (Gallons)

19

22.5

24.3

20.5

Range(city/highway/combined)(miles)

285/418/342

202/337/247

291/388/315

287/451/348

In comparison, the fuel efficiency of these cars is a mixed bag. While the 720S returns the best-combined mileage. The Lamborghini Aventador S, with its thirsty V12 engine, is the least performer in this segment and has a low overall driving range despite having a moderately sized tank. The 812 superfast, with its largest fuel tank, can cover a range of 291 miles and 388 miles in the city and on the highway respectively.

Interior
8.0/10

The interior of the McLaren 720S is truly remarkable and looks jaw-dropping and gives you the feel of sitting inside something that usually flies. Speaking of buttons, The steering wheel has no buttons which is quite the opposite of the Ferrari which has a plethora of buttons on the steering wheel. The party piece of the interior is the instrument cluster screen that folds down when you turn the Race mode ON. Bringing the top edge which houses a slim screen for things like engine RPM and Speed. It’s all very F1-like inside the cabin of the 720S.

 Furthermore, when you opt for luxury trim, it provides you Full leather upholstery, Heated Power-adjustable seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel to enhance opulence inside the cabin. On the other hand, opting for Performance trim will give you access to Carbon fiber primary interior components, carbon black Alcantara materials, and Carbon fiber racing seats. Apart from all this, you can also have the MSO specced interior which offers MSO Defined steering wheel – satin-finish visual carbon fiber, MSO Defined extended shift paddles – satin-finish visual carbon fiber and MSO Defined extended sill trim with McLaren branding – satin-finish visual carbon fiber.

Models

2021 McLaren 720S Coupe

2021 Lamborghini Aventador S

2021 Ferrari 812 Superfast

2021 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera

Seating Capacity

2

2

2

4

Front Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Leg Room, in inches)

NA

NA

NA

NA

Trunk Capacity (cubic feet)

5.29

4.9 

18

In comparison, the Ferrari has excelled in the trunk space and the competition isn’t even near making a true grand tourer. All the cars have room for only 2 passengers except for the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera which has room for 4 passengers. The trunk space is also respectable on the Aston Martin which measures 9 cubic feet. However, McLaren and Lamborghini come with impractical trunk space. The cabin size of all these cars remains unknown. Some of the standout interior features in the McLaren 720S include:

  • Sport Leather/Carbon Fiber Steering Wheel
  • Alcantara Simulated Suede Door Trim Insert
  • Full Alcantara Simulated Suede Headliner
  • Compass
  • Dual Zone Front Automatic Air Conditioning
  • Alcantara/Nappa Leather Seat Trim

What’s there to keep you entertained?

 The infotainment system on the 720S is more focused on the racing setup. It offers a standalone track telemetry option with three cameras to record your lap timings during track days and you can also take a video of your driving. It also comes with a 7-inch portrait-oriented touch screen that looks crisp and runs on the McLaren infotainment interface with onboard memory. On the flip side, it doesn’t have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Let's have a look at some of the standout infotainment features.

  • Bluetooth connectivity 
  • Voice controls
  • Audio media player,
  • Four-speaker audio system
  • 2 USB ports
  • 12-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system (optional)

Exterior
9.0/10

The exterior design of the car is where things get a bit more crazy and engrossing as it looks like something that is straight out of space. To start with, the design language of the 720S is inspired by its big brother P1 and follows the traits of all other McLarens. The headlights are very imposing and devilish to look at and it is not only for looks but also functional. The headlights also boast an air intake that adds to the aero efficiency of the car.

 Every shape and part of its exterior are functional. As a result, it offers a bullet-like shape that could tear through the wind with minimum drag possible. The taillights are sleek and blend in with the overall design language. However, the most paramount factor about the exterior is the trademark butterfly doors which look dramatic and give it a proper supercar look. Moreover, it is also integrated with an active spoiler that deploys for more downforce and also acts as an airbrake during braking.

Models

2021 McLaren 720S Coupe

2021 Lamborghini Aventador S

2021 Ferrari 812 Superfast

2021 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera

Curb Weight (lb)

3139

3615

3593

3732

Length (inches)

178.9

194.6

183.4

185.5

Width (inches)

76

82.5

77.6

77.5

Height (inches)

47.1

44.72

50.2

50.4

Ground Clearance (inches)

4.2

4.1

N/A

3.5

Wheelbase (inches)

105.1

106.3

107.1

110.4

Comparing its rivals, the Lamborghini is the widest and longest car in this segment. On the other hand, the Aston Martin happens to be the heaviest car in its segment, the weight might help with the overall stability but it may also affect the acceleration and handling of the car. Nevertheless, the McLaren, with its lightweight nature, handles razor-sharp and humiliates all the cars in its competition when it comes to performance and handling. Some of the exterior notable features are

  • Butterfly doors
  • Active rear spoiler
  • Carbon Fiber Power Mirrors (optional)
  • Electrochromic sunroof (optional)
  • Rain Detecting Fixed Interval Wipers

Safety
6.0/10

McLaren has given a lot of attention to the safety front of this car. Faster the car, the better the safety features. As every other supercar in its class, it offers all the essential safety features you would expect from a supercar. The McLaren has not been rated both by IIHS and NHTSA due to its hefty price tag. Some of the remarkable safety features you can find in the 720S are as follows

  • Electronic Stability Control (ESC) And Roll Stability Control (RSC)
  • Restricted Driving Mode
  • Back-Up Camera
  • Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure Warning
  • Front And Rear Parking Sensors

Competition
7.0/10

2021 McLaren 720S Vs 2021 Lamborghini Aventador S:

Everything about the Lamborghini Aventador is a lot more dramatic and theatrical than the 720S. On paper, the Aventador seems a bit more powerful but it lacks behind when it comes to performance.

In a nutshell, the Aventador may take a hit in terms of performance but smashes the 720S in terms of engaging driving experience and exhaust note. It is a more frolic and lively car to drive.

2021 McLaren 720S Vs 2021 Ferrari 812 Superfast:

The Ferrari 812 Superfast gets one of the finest naturally aspirated engines out there and stays true to its V12 predecessor. It is intended to be a GT car, Nevertheless, Racing is still a part of its DNA.

As every other supercar in its class, the 812 Superfast loses to 720S in the performance front. Apart from that, the Ferrari excels in every front, it has a characterful V12 engine which sounds utterly glorious, it has 4 wheel steering for more stability and better handling. It is the perfect definition of a Grand tourer supercar and the spot on mile-munching supercar for roads as well.

2021 McLaren 720S Vs 2021 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera:

The Aston Martin DBS Superleggera is the closest thing to the McLaren 720S in terms of price. The McLaren is built to be fast and agile on the track. The Aston Martin DBS Superleggera, on the other hand, is built to serve as a grand touring supercar but also can be your daily driver.

The 720S clearly destroys the Aston Martin in terms of performance and speed but the Aston martin stands as a winner in terms of opulence, usability, and practicality.

Final Verdict
8.6/10

As a supercar, the McLaren 720s checks all the boxes and sets the bar sky-high. It offers sublime performance figures and surreal design and surprisingly it turns out to be the most affordable supercar in its segment which is truly astonishing. That said, it is also the most fuel-efficient car of the lot which makes it friendly and fast at the same time. The only area where it falls short is the usability and quality of the materials. Apart from that, it is the perfect supercar to embarrass the top supercar brands and you can definitely have the 720S on your list when it comes to buying a high-performance supercar.

Trims

    Base
    $299,000 onwards
    • 1st row t-bar composite Sunroof
    • 2 - 1st row LCD monitor
    • A-Spec Sport Seats
    • AM/FM/Satellite, Radio
    • Dual zone automatic front air conditioning
    Luxury
    $311,130 onwards
    • Driver and passenger Lumbar support
    • Heated Front Seats
    • Leather Seat trim
    Performance
    $311,130 onwards
    • Alcantara/Nappa simulated suede Seat trim
    • Heated mirrors
    • Navigation system

Compare to similar cars

Price

$299,000- $327,130

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.51

Horsepower

720 hp @ 7500 rpm

Torque

568 lb.-ft. @ 5500 rpm

Capacity

2

Read Review

$205,600- $248,725

Gasoline

7.09

503 hp @ 6000 rpm

513 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm

4

Read Review

$573,966

Gasoline

7.41

759 hp @ 8500 rpm

531 lb.-ft. @ 6750 rpm

2

Read Review

$193,600- $213,800

Gasoline

7.57

562 hp @ 7500 rpm

443 lb.-ft. @ 5000 rpm

4

Read Review

$280,000- $302,500

Gasoline

8.36

710 hp @ 8000 rpm

567 lb.-ft. @ 3250 rpm

2

Read Review

$218,670

Gasoline

8.13

612 hp @ 5750 rpm

561 lb.-ft. @ 3000 rpm

4

Read Review

$200,000

Gasoline

7.86

612 hp @ 7500 rpm

465 lb.-ft. @ 5500 rpm

2

Read Review

$358,000

Gasoline

7.65

755 hp @ 7500 rpm

590 lb.-ft. @ 5500 rpm

2

Read Review

$1,000,000

Gasoline

7

789 hp @ 7250 rpm

590 lb.-ft. @ 5500 rpm

4

Read Review

$280,000

Gasoline

6.43

-

-

4

Read Review

2021 Mclaren 720s vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    2.7 sec10.2 sec212 mph
    2.7 sec-205 mph
    2.7 sec10.5 sec-
    2.8 sec10.1 sec-
    2.8 sec--
    2.9 sec10.5 sec211 mph

    2021 Mclaren 720s vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      15 mpg22 mpg18 mpg19 gal.285/418 mi.
      18 mpg24 mpg20 mpg20.5 gal.369/492 mi.
      17 mpg22 mpg19 mpg21.1 gal.358.70/464.20 mi.
      15 mpg23 mpg18 mpg19 gal.-
      15 mpg22 mpg18 mpg19 gal.285/418 mi.
      15 mpg22 mpg18 mpg19 gal.285/418 mi.

      2021 Mclaren 720s vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        178.9 in.81.1 in.47.1 in.4.2 in.105.1 in.
        194.6 in.82.6 in.44.7 in.4.5 in.106.3 in.
        187 in.76.7 in.50.8 in.4.5 in.110.4 in.
        186.8 in.77.1 in.48.4 in.-105 in.
        184.4 in.80.5 in.47.8 in.4.3 in.105.3 in.
        183.3 in.77.7 in.51.2 in.-105.1 in.

        2021 Mclaren 720s vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          12.7 cu.ft.-12.7 cu.ft.
          9.5 cu.ft.177.8 cu.ft.108.4 cu.ft.
          12.2 cu.ft.-406 cu.ft.
          7.1 cu.ft.101 cu.ft.49.5 cu.ft.
          31.4 cu.ft.-66.4 cu.ft.
          20.1 cu.ft.-20.1 cu.ft.

          2021 Mclaren 720s vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            12.7 cu.ft.12.7 cu.ft.12.7 cu.ft.79 ft.
            20.1 cu.ft.20.1 cu.ft.20.1 cu.ft.-
            108.4 cu.ft.9.5 cu.ft.108.4 cu.ft.-
            66.4 cu.ft.31.4 cu.ft.66.4 cu.ft.-
            83.1 cu.ft.7.1 cu.ft.49.5 cu.ft.-
            83.1 cu.ft.12.2 cu.ft.406 cu.ft.-

            2021 Mclaren 720s vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              3139 lbs.
              3384 lbs.
              2826 lbs.
              3461 lbs.
              3362 lbs.
              2952 lbs.

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