Ferrari Portofino (2018 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]
Summary
The Ferrari Portofino is a convertible 2+2 sports car, and is the ‘entry-level’ model in the Ferrari range. It was unveiled at the 2017 Frankfurt motor show as a replacement for the Ferrari California T.
The Portofino has received positive reviews from the selected UK media sources invited to drive it, although the scores have not been as high as one might expect for a Ferrari. It has been praised for being a significant improvement over the California although, like its predecessor, it has been criticised for not delivering a driving experience as enjoyable as other Ferraris.
An updated model, called the Ferrari Portofino M (which stands for Modificata) was unveiled in September 2020 and arrived in the UK in early 2021. Initial reviews have generally considered a substantial improvement over the original Portofino, going some way to addressing concerns about how it drives.
As of September 2021, the Ferrari Portofino has an Expert Rating of 77%, based on 16 reviews.
Key specifications
Body style: Convertible (folding hard-top)Engine: petrol V8
Price: From £154,900 on-road
Launched: Spring 2018Last updated: Autumn 2020
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Ferrari Portofino (2018 – 2020)
Ferrari Portofino (2018 – 2020)
Ferrari Portofino M (2021 onwards)
Ferrari Portofino (2018 – 2020)
Ferrari Portofino M (2021 onwards)
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
“Its performance befits a car with a Prancing Horse badge, and more than anything it just feels special – which is just what you want from an Italian drop-top supercar.”
Read review
Auto Express
Model reviewed: M (2021)Score: 9 / 10“The Ferrari Portofino M feels even more exciting when driving keenly, and more relaxing when you’re not. Viewed as a GT car, it might be a little cramped compared with some rivals, but from an enthusiast’s point of view it’s a hugely impressive machine.”
Read review
Score: 8 / 10“The Portofino is a pretty convincing gateway to the brand. It exhibits many of the traits would-be Ferrari owners surely long for, and there’s no denying that even as the ‘baby’ Ferrari, it’s a proper performance car.”
Read review
Autocar
Score: 7 / 10“The Portofino feels like a supercar imprisoned in the swollen body of a topless grand tourer.”
Read review
Car
Score: 8 / 10“The Portofino represents a solid improvement over its predecessor, the California T, particularly when it comes to the driving experience. It still lacks ultimate focus when it comes to driving at ten tenths, but for the target audience we suspect the Portofino strikes a pretty sweet balance.”
Read review
Carbuyer
Score: 8.4 / 10“The Ferrari Portofino is a convertible GT that combines supercar-esque performance with impressive usability.”
Read review
Daily Mail
“The Portofino has a split personality: in one moment it’s an easy-going grand tourer with impeccable manners, but the mere flick of a switch turns it into a full-blooded performance machine that’s powerful enough to rearrange your internal organs.”
Read review
Daily Mirror
Score: 10 / 10“I’ve never been to the picturesque fishing village of Portofino in Italy from where it takes its name. After a weekend away in this motor, I almost feel I’ve now been there. Because the Portofino is the perfect car for getting away from it all.”
Read review
Evo
Score: 8 / 10“New Portofino is faster and easier to live with than the old California, but misses some of the magic that makes other Ferraris great.”
Read review
Parkers
Score: 9.2 / 10“Gateway Ferraris have never been so good”
Read review
The Sun
“Ferrari’s new GT is lighter and stronger than the controversial California and packs a real punch.”
Read review
The Sunday Times
Score: 8 / 10“Hiding its Ferrariness under a bushel is its most appealing quality.” (James May)
Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed: Portofino MScore: 8 / 10“This might not be a brilliant grand tourer, but it is a very good grand-touring Ferrari. In a way, in fact, it’s the most admirable Ferrari of all. If you’ve always dreamed of a brand-new Ferrari and if you can finally afford to buy one, but only one, then you’ll love the Portofino M.”
Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 7 / 10“No complaints about the speed or the response. This is a very, very fast car.”
Read review
Score: 8 / 10“That Ferrari ditched California in favour of an all-new name speaks volumes. The Portofino is lighter, faster, much prettier, and better made.”
Read review
What Car?
Score: 8 / 10“Ferrari’s ‘everyday’ convertible might not be the most cosseting cruiser, but stonking performance and agile handling more than make up for it.”
Read review
Safety rating
No safety rating
The Ferrari Portofino has not been crash tested by Euro NCAP. Based on its price and exclusivity, it’s unlikely to happen.
Eco rating
No eco rating
Unsurprisingly, the Ferrari Portofino has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.
We’re not expecting it to ever happen, but if it does then we’ll provide details here. In the meantime, you’ll have to imagine just how environmentally friendly a twin-turbocharged petrol V8 supercar is likely to be.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Ferrari Portofino has received
2018
- Red Dot product design awards – Best of the Best
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Ferrari Portofino, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Aston Martin DB11 Volante | Audi R8 Spyder | Bentley Continental GT Convertible | BMW 8 Series Convertible | Mercedes-Benz S63 Cabriolet | Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster | Porsche 911 Cabriolet
Buy or lease a Ferrari Portofino M
Regardless of whether you’re looking for a new or used Portofino, The Car Expert’s partners have plenty of choices
Search less, live more. We make finding the right car simple.
We only have the best used cars for sale from selected dealers.
Keyword: Ferrari Portofino