Compare the2026 Porsche 911VS 2026 Ferrari 296

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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The 911 (except Manual/GT3) offers an optional Maneuvering Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The 296 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention 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 driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The 296 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

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, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

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 almost 5 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.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 911 first among premium sporty cars in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The 296 isn’t in the top three in its category.

The 911 Turbo S’ 3.6 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 33 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 557) than the 296 Speciale’s optional 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the 911 Turbo S 3.6 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Ferrari 296 3.0 (automatics tested):

	911	296
Zero to 60 MPH	2 sec	2.4 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	2.7 sec	3 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	1.7 sec	1.9 sec
Top Speed	200 MPH	190 MPH

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.

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

			MPG
911 Coupe
RWD	Manual	3.0 turbo flat-6	17 city/25 hwy
	Auto	S 3.0 turbo flat-6	17 city/24 hwy
		3.6 turbo flat-6 Hybrid	17 city/24 hwy
		3.0 turbo flat-6	18 city/25 hwy
	Auto	3.0 turbo flat-6	17 city/24 hwy
		GT3 3.6 turbo flat-6 Hybrid	17 city/23 hwy
296 GTB
	Auto	3.0 turbo V6 Hybrid	16 city/22 hwy
		3.0 turbo V6 Hybrid	16 city/22 hwy

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

			MPG
911 Cabriolet
RWD	Manual	3.0 turbo flat-6	17 city/25 hwy
	Auto	3.6 turbo flat-6 Hybrid	17 city/23 hwy
		S 3.0 turbo flat-6	17 city/24 hwy
		3.0 turbo flat-6	18 city/25 hwy
	Auto	3.0 turbo flat-6	17 city/24 hwy
		GT3 3.6 turbo flat-6 Hybrid	17 city/23 hwy
		3.6 turbo flat-6 Hybrid	15 city/22 hwy
296 GTS
	Auto	3.0 turbo V6 Hybrid	15 city/21 hwy
		3.0 turbo V6 Hybrid	16 city/22 hwy

The 911’s optional fuel tank has 4.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the 296 (22.1 vs. 17.2 gallons).

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.

For better stopping power the 911 CCB’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the 296:

	911 CCB	296
Front Rotors	16.5 inches	15.7 inches
Rear Rotors	16.1 inches	14.2 inches

For better traction, the 911 Turbo S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 296 (F:255/35R20 & R:325/30R21 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.

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.

The 911 Turbo S offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Ferrari doesn’t offer an active suspension on the 296.

The 911 has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The 911’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The 296 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The 911 GT3 handles at 1.17 G’s, while the 296 GTB pulls only 1.12 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the 911 GT3’s turning circle is 5 feet tighter than the 296’s (34.1 feet vs. 39.1 feet). The 911’s turning circle is 2.4 feet tighter than the 296’s (36.7 feet vs. 39.1 feet).

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.

The 911 offers optional 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).

When three different drivers share the 911, the optional memory system makes it convenient for all three. Each keyless remote activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle and climate settings. The 296 doesn’t offer a memory system.

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.

The 911’s standard Comfort Access allow you to unlock the doors from either outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Entry and Ignition standard on the 296 doesn’t offer a sensor on the trunk.

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 standard on 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.

When the 911 is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The 296’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

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 standard 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 Porsche 911 has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Ferrari charges extra for Homelink® on the 296.

Compared to the Ferrari 296’s traditional radio, the Porsche 911 equipped with standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks.

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. Optional 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.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Porsche 911 retains 82.96% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 76.29% resale value of the 2026 Ferrari 296 after five years, which can save the Porsche’s owner up to $58563 in depreciation.

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.