Compare the2023 Porsche 911VS 2022 McLaren 720S

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission and Drivetrain
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The 911 (except GT3) has standard Warn and Brake Assist, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The 720S doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

The 911 offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The 720S doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the 911 helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The 720S doesn’t offer a night vision system.

The 911’s optional lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The 720S doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The 911’s optional blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. The 720S doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 911’s optional rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The 720S doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The 911 has standard Porsche Connect, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The 720S doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the 911 and the 720S have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available around view monitors.

Warranty

The 911 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The 720S’ 3-year basic warranty expires 1 year sooner.

The 911’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the 720S’ (12 vs. 10 years).

There are almost 8 times as many Porsche dealers as there are McLaren dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 911’s warranty.

Engine

The 911 Turbo S’ standard 3.7 turbo 6-cylinder produces 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 568) than the 720S’ 4.0 turbo V8.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the 911 lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability. The 720S doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the 911 Coupe gets better mileage than the 720S:

			MPG
911 Coupe
RWD	Manual	3.0 turbo flat-6	17 city/24 hwy
		S 3.0 turbo flat-6	18 city/25 hwy
	Auto	S 3.0 turbo flat-6	18 city/23 hwy
		GTS/Dakar 3.0 turbo flat-6	17 city/23 hwy
		3.0 turbo flat-6	18 city/24 hwy
AWD	Manual	GTS/Dakar 3.0 turbo flat-6	17 city/23 hwy
		S 3.0 turbo flat-6	17 city/25 hwy
	Auto	S 3.0 turbo flat-6	18 city/23 hwy
		3.0 turbo flat-6	17 city/23 hwy
		3.0 turbo flat-6	18 city/24 hwy
720S
	Auto	4.0 turbo V8	15 city/22 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the 911 Cabriolet gets better mileage than the 720S:

			MPG
911 Cabriolet
RWD	Manual	3.0 turbo flat-6	17 city/24 hwy
		S 3.0 turbo flat-6	17 city/25 hwy
	Auto	S 3.0 turbo flat-6	18 city/23 hwy
		GTS/Dakar 3.0 turbo flat-6	17 city/23 hwy
		3.0 turbo flat-6	18 city/24 hwy
AWD	Manual	S4 3.0 turbo flat-6	17 city/24 hwy
		GTS/Dakar 3.0 turbo flat-6	16 city/23 hwy
	Auto	3.0 turbo flat-6	17 city/22 hwy
		S 3.0 turbo flat-6	18 city/23 hwy
		3.0 turbo flat-6	18 city/24 hwy
720S
	Auto	4.0 turbo V8	15 city/22 hwy

The 911’s optional fuel tank has 4.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the 720S (23.7 vs. 19 gallons).

Transmission and Drivetrain

An eight-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Porsche 911, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the 720S.

All wheel drive, available in the 911, provides the best traction for acceleration in wet, dry, and icy conditions. In corners, all wheel drive allows both outside wheels to provide power, balancing the car. This allows for better handling. The McLaren 720S is not available with all wheel drive.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the 911 Turbo S/Sport Classic’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the 720S:

	911 Turbo S/Sport Classic	720S
Front Rotors	16.5 inches	15.4 inches
Rear Rotors	15.4 inches	15 inches

The 911 stops much shorter than the 720S:

	911	720S
70 to 0 MPH	133 feet	149 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the 911 Turbo S/GT3/Sport Classic’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 720S (F:255/35R20 & R:315/30R21 vs. F:245/35R19 & R:305/30R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 911 offers optional 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels. The 720S’ largest wheels are only 19-inches in the front and 20-inches in the rear.

Suspension and Handling

The 911 (except Base/GT3) offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The 720S doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The 911 GT3 handles at 1.16 G’s, while the 720S Coupe pulls only 1.08 G’s of cornering force in a Road and Track skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the 911 GT3’s turning circle is 5.6 feet tighter than the 720S’ (34.1 feet vs. 39.7 feet). The 911’s turning circle is 2.9 feet tighter than the 720S’ (36.8 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

Chassis

The front grille of the 911 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The 720S doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The 911 has standard seating for 4 passengers; the 720S can only carry 2.

The 911 has 25 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 720S (73 vs. 48).

The 911 has .4 inches more front headroom and 10.2 inches more front shoulder room than the 720S.

Ergonomics

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the 911 (except Cabriolet/GT3) offers an optional rear wiper. The 720S doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the 911 detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The 720S doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the 911 offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The 720S doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The 911’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The 720S’ visors are fixed into the windshield header.

The 911’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The 720S’ power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

The 911’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The 720S has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the 911 keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The 720S doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the 911’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The 720S doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the 911 (except Manual) offers an optional Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The 720S doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

To help keep the driver’s hands on the wheel, the 911 has standard steering wheel controls for the radio. The 720S doesn’t offer steering wheel audio controls.

Standard Connect Plus for the 911 allows the driver and passengers access to select programs on their smartphones, including reading text messages aloud, playing internet radio stations, finding fuel prices at nearby service stations, searching the internet and other connected activities without taking their eyes off the road or their hands from the wheel. The 720S doesn’t offer factory integrated smartphone program access.

The 911 (except Manual/GT3)’s optional Active Parking Support can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote ParkAssist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The 720S doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its September 2020 issue and the Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet won out over the McLaren 720S Spider.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 911 first among premium sporty cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The 720S isn’t in the top three.

The Porsche 911 outsold the McLaren Super Series by almost 17 to one during 2022.