Compare the2023 Porsche 911VS 2023 Ferrari 296

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

Safety

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The 911 has standard head airbag curtains which act as a forgiving barrier between the driver and front passenger's upper bodies and the window and pillars. Combined with high-strength steel door beams and lower side airbags this system increases head protection in broadside collisions. The 296 doesn't offer side airbag protection for the head.

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 296 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 296 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 296 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 296 doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The 911 offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The 296 only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

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 296 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 296 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available blind spot warning systems.

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 296’s 3-year basic warranty expires 1 year sooner.

The 911’s corrosion warranty is 9 years longer than the 296’s (12 vs. 3 years).

There are over 4 times as many Porsche dealers as there are Ferrari 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 44 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 546) than the 296’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the 911 lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability. The 296 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the 911 Coupe gets better mileage than the 296 running its gasoline engine:

			MPG
911 Coupe
RWD	Manual	GTS 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 3.0 turbo flat-6	17 city/23 hwy
		3.0 turbo flat-6	18 city/24 hwy
AWD	Manual	GTS 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
		GTS 3.0 turbo flat-6	17 city/23 hwy
		3.0 turbo flat-6	18 city/24 hwy
296
	Auto	3.0 turbo V6 Hybrid	16 city/22 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the 911 Cabriolet gets better mileage than the 296 running its gasoline engine:

			MPG
911 Cabriolet
RWD	Manual	GTS 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 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 3.0 turbo flat-6	16 city/23 hwy
	Auto	GTS 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
296
	Auto	3.0 turbo V6 Hybrid	16 city/22 hwy

The 911’s optional fuel tank has 5.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the 296 (23.7 vs. 17.8 gallons).

Drivetrain

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 Ferrari 296 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 296:

	911 Turbo S/Sport Classic	296
Front Rotors	16.5 inches	15.7 inches
Rear Rotors	15.4 inches	14.2 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the 911 Turbo S/GT3/Sport Classic’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 296 (F:255/35R20 & R:315/30R21 vs. F:245/35R20 & R:305/35R20).

The 911’s optional 305/30R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 296’s 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 911 offers optional 21-inch rear wheels. The 296’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

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 296 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

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 296 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The 911 has standard seating for 4 passengers; the 296 can only carry 2.

The 911 has 12 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 296 (73 vs. 61).

Ergonomics

The 911’s standard power window controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The 296’s available power window controls are spread out on the center console where they can’t be seen without the driver completely removing his eyes from the road.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the 911 (except Cabriolet/GT3) offers an optional rear wiper. The 296 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 296 doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

The 911’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The 296’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

The 911 has standard heated front seats, which keep the driver and front passenger extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the 296.

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 296 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 296 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The 911’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The 296 doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

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 296 doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

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 296 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

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 296 isn’t in the top three.