What the Ferrari Portofino Reviews Say

The Portofino replaced the California T as Ferrari’s entry-level model, but don’t let that fool you into thinking that this prancing horse is lacking. As any Ferrari Portofino review will tell you, this is a car that is built to provide speed and comfort in equal measure, a consummate driver’s car built to satisfy even the most demanding connoisseurs around Chicago and Indianapolis.

Top Gear

One of the first questions about any Ferrari will be, “How does it drive?,” and the new Portofino car answers with track-worthy performance. Top Gear drives this home by pointing out that it can achieve its top speed in approximately 10.8 seconds and by writing that, “the first time you drop the hammer in this thing, it takes off like a scalded cat chasing a rat up a drain-pipe. It’s fast. Capital F fast.” They go on to praise the power and sound of the 3.9L twin-turbo V8 engine as those of “a genuine masterpiece.”This is reflected in the way the car handles, despite its considerations to being a viable daily driver. Top Gear has a lot of good things to say about the car’s “superbly resolved ride quality,” with special mention of its magnetic dampers, its “magnificent e-diff,” and its body control.

Bloomberg

Bloomberg has ample praise for the balance the Portofino strikes between track-worthy performance and driving comfort, writing that “It’s punched up what a buyer can expect from a ‘daily driver’ while still delivering a thrill to the person behind the wheel — just without the normal back fatigue, frayed nerves, and numb eardrums that come from driving supercars.”

Bloomberg also has ample praise for the car’s design, concluding that it’s “grittier” than the California T while still maintaining the elegance for which the Prancing Horse is known. Another notch in the belt of what they call the Portofino’s “versatile drivability” is the fact that it’s slightly higher from the ground than the model it’s replacing, which makes it “immeasurably less stressful to park.” This praise extends inside the car, where it’s deemed that the layout and material choices reflect “thoughtfulness and a lack of fuss” as opposed to comparatively “vulgar” carbon-fiber-heavy interiors from competitors like Aston Martin.

Autoweek

Autoweek’s Ferrari Portofino review heaps accolades on the car’s looks, writing that “the Portofino is so beautiful to behold that you’ll want to send a thank you note to the Ferrari Design Center the first time you watch one drive by.” It’s not just about looks, though — in terms of the car’s design, the Portofino boasts some notable improvements over the California T, including a chassis with greater torsional rigidity, lower overall weight (by 177 pounds), and an overall look that “resembles a shorter 812 Superfast.” Together with a retractable hardtop that can be deployed or retracted in 14 seconds at speeds of up to 25 mph, and it’s clear that this Prancing Horse boasts intuitive design to go with its stunning good looks.

Motor Trend

Motor Trend’s review points out that, while the Portofino doesn’t quite keep up with the 812 Superfast or 488 GTB, “It’s the perfect Ferrari for those who want a fast and elegant, refined and luxuriously equipped 21st century gran turismo they can drive 24/7,” adding that, “If you want a quicker, more focused Ferrari, buy a 488 GTB or Spider. What’s clever about the Portofino is that it’s engaging to drive at moderate speeds.”

To that point, the critics at Motor Trend devote a lot of space in their review to the car’s interior. They praise its 10.3-inch infotainment system as well as finishes of leather, aluminum, and carbon fiber, concluding that the interior “looks and feels plush, albeit with techy overtones.” These interior touches, combined with an increase in legroom over the California T, make this a supercar that’s meant for daily use.

Learn More About the Portofino With Continental AutoSports Ferrari

The Portofino is an entry-level vehicle in name only — like any Ferrari, it’s a purpose-built machine that’s designed to deliver a sublime driving experience above all else, and its specs reflect that — but in the case of the Portofino, it’s a great choice to drive on a daily basis around Milwaukee when it’s not burning up the track. To learn more, or inquire about purchasing a Portofino of your own, contact Continental AutoSports Ferrari — we proudly work with driving enthusiasts throughout the United States, so don’t hesitate to reach out!