Ferrari Portofino Review: The Everyday Ferrari Is Still A Blast

Not everyone who wants a Ferrari plans to spend all day out on the track. For a specific clientele with a deep appreciation for the marque but who desires something a bit less uncompromising, there is the Ferrari Portofino grand tourer. With 2+2 seating, a retractable hardtop, a front mid-engine layout, and looks to die for, it's a Ferrari that you can use every day. Fortunately, it's not all soft because under the hood lies a 3.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8 producing 592 horsepower, enough to send the graceful Portofino from 0-62 mph in a much less genteel 3.5 seconds. While softer than a 488, the Portofino is still a rewarding driving machine but is also comfortable enough when you're taking it easy. There's also a usable, high-quality cabin to enjoy, although the rear seats are better thought of as extra storage space. Competitors include the all-conquering Porsche 911 Cabriolet, which while more dynamic, lacks the Portofino's allure. As with virtually any other Ferrari, one drive in the Portofino is all it takes to fall in love.

2021 Ferrari Portofino

Ferrari switched over to the facelifted Portofino M, which we review separately, in 2021. As a result, no major changes were made to the last few non-M Portofinos which ceased production as of this model year.

2020 Ferrari Portofino

The 2020 Portofino undergoes no changes and continues on as essentially a carryover 2019 model. This would be the second and last model year for the Portofino, as the Portofino M, which we review separately, was launched for the 2021 model year to replace it.

2019 Ferrari Portofino

The Ferrari Portofino is launched as a replacement for the California T for the 2019 model year and isn't an all-new car, but based on its predecessor. Still, it's substantially upgraded; more hollow castings are used and more components of the aluminum-alloy structure are now integrated to save weight and increase structural rigidity over the California T. Power output is up from 553 hp to 592 horsepower, still delivered via a 3.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine and dispatched to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

2021 Ferrari Portofino Convertible
Make
Ferrari
Model
Portofino
Model Year
2021 Ferrari Portofino
Year
2021
MSRP
$213,054
Engine
3.9L Twin-Turbo V8 Gas
Horsepower
591 hp
Transmission
7-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Torque
561 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm

Portofino Exterior

The California T was already beautiful, but the Ferrari Portofino convertible (romantically named after the quaint coastal village of the same name on the Italian Riviera), is even more exquisite. There's not an angle from which the proportions aren't spot-on, and whether the roof is open or closed, it's the same story. The design is highlighted by 20-inch alloy wheels, carbon-ceramic brakes with brightly colored calipers, quad exhaust outlets, and LED lighting. It may be an "entry-level" Ferrari, but there's nothing ordinary or watered-down about the entrance this car makes.

Dimensions

Though it is designed to be more of a leisure car, the Portofino has dimensions that are very similar to those of its supercar siblings from the Stallion brand. It measures 180.6 inches in length, 76.3 inches in width, and 51.9 inches in height, while riding on a 105.1-inch wheelbase. Curb weight works out to 3,669 pounds, around 176 lbs lighter than the California T thanks to various weight-reducing strategies that extend to the engine and electronics.

LengthWheelbaseHeightMax WidthFront WidthRear WidthCurb Weight
180.6 in105.1 in51.9 in76.3 in64.3 in64.4 in3,669.0 lbs


Exterior Colors

You've just got to get it in one of Ferrari's red Rosso shades, right? Resplendent in Rosso Portofino (yes, that's the name of the color itself), the GT looks absolutely stunning. For the non-traditionalists, don't despair as there are over 25 other shades available for the Portofino. The solid colors include Giallo Modena (yellow), Rosso Corsa (think of it as a burnt orange), and Nero (black). Then, there is also a range of metallic hues like the icy-looking Grigio Alloy, Argento Nurburgring (silver), and Blue Tour De France. On a car this pretty, anything looks good, but the red works best for us. However, if you have cash burning a hole in your pocket., you could always opt for a 'Ferrari historical color', which adds a further $12,487 to your bill.

Portofino Performance

Powered by a 3.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine with 592 horsepower and 561 lb-ft of torque, the Portofino is every bit a bona fide Ferrari when you plant the throttle. Sending power to the rear wheels exclusively, 0 to 62 mph is completed in a swift 3.5 seconds, 0-124 mph takes just 10.8 seconds (0.4 seconds quicker than the California T), and it'll hit a top speed just shy of 200 mph. While there are more luxurious grand tourers around like the Bentley Continental GT and the discontinued Mercedes-AMG S63 Convertible, they don't evoke quite the same excitement as the Ferrari when chasing the red line.

Engine and Transmission

Turbocharging has not been allowed to dilute the driving experience nor the exhaust note, so purists can rest easy. The 3.9-liter V8 is a gem and wasn't a recipient of the International Engine of the Year award for no good reason. It produces 592 hp and 561 lb-ft, while modifications like a flat-plane crankshaft improve fluid dynamics and eliminate turbo lag completely. The power plant is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that shifts with alacrity when you make use of the column-mounted paddles, but it has a few flaws in automatic mode, sometimes shifting with a reluctance that isn't ideal in a grand tourer. And it must be said that the dramatic and booming engine, too, is a joy but perhaps not especially GT-like. It's as if Ferrari wanted to build a GT but simply wasn't willing to compromise on the drama imbued in all of its other cars. In general, acceleration off the mark and passing power are everything that gearheads dream about - the Portofino is massively quick.

Handling and Driving Impressions

The stiffer Portofino has much better body control than the California T and, together with the adaptive suspension and the latest generation of Ferrari's electronic limited-slip differential, the Portofino is a lively and agile companion through the twisties. The electric power steering system is incredibly direct (sometimes more so than you'd expect) and the on-throttle balance is pure driving joy. That said, it isn't as confidence-inspiring or predictable as harder-edged Ferraris which are fitted with the advanced Side Slip Control system - this is a different kind of Ferrari that you can push, but which starts to feel just a bit uncomfortable at higher limits.

Approaching the Portofino with a more sedate driving style and flicking the Manettino driving mode selector to a softer setting will reveal a planted and reasonably compliant ride. Although more relaxed than other Ferraris, the Portofino reminds you in subtle ways that it has a prancing horse on the hood, such as how it communicates more of the road surface than its rivals, in how the steering sometimes responds more keenly than you'd like, and with its slightly lumpy idle. Even a Porsche 911 feels more settled at lower speeds, but we like the way the Portofino is Ferrari's unique interpretation of a GT.

Portofino Gas Mileage

The Portofino's EPA-rated economy numbers work out to 16/22/18 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycles which is pretty much the same as what the older California T achieved. With a 21.2-gallon gas tank, a combined cruising range of just over 380 miles will be possible if you're conservative enough with your right foot.

Portofino Interior

The sporty-looking cabin is trimmed in an appealing mix of leather and metal trim, that, for the most part, exudes a sense of quality. There are some areas that aren't in keeping with the Italian's exotic price tag though, such as the air vents and the array of switches below the infotainment display. There are also quirks like an absence of indicator/light stalks; instead, these functions are controlled with switches on the busy-looking steering wheel. In true supercar style, the driver faces a centrally-mounted rev counter. The cabin isn't overly spacious, although there is enough legroom on offer in front if the seats are pushed back. While you get power-adjustable seats, a 10.25-inch infotainment display, and air conditioning, there isn't exactly an abundance of features in the cabin and it's here that more traditional grand tourers from Mercedes-Benz and Bentley comfortably outclass the Ferrari.

Seating and Interior Space

Officially a 2+2, let's get those back seats out of the way first because they're pretty much useless. Even with the front seats moved well forward, there's barely any legroom back there, so think of them as little more than space to store extra cargo. The news is much better for the driver and front-seat passenger in terms of space, but even so, it's not what you'd describe as an airy-feeling cabin. Shorter drivers will also feel like the high window line and stretched hood make it challenging to get a sense of the Portofino's width in restricted spaces. The comfy, leather-upholstered seats are welcome, plus ingress and egress are less awkward than in something like a mid-engine 488. As long as you don't expect to be able to carry passengers in the back, the Portofino is easy enough to live with.

Interior Colors and Materials

Leather-upholstered seats are standard and available in a choice of 15 shades. You can choose between darker colors like Charcoal, Nero, and Blue Sterling, or go for a more expressive color option like Rosso Ferrari, Crema, or Beige Tradizione. Sporty Daytona seats are available as an option along with diamond-stitched seats. A carbon interior upgrade will cost extra and adds the material to the steering wheel, center console, and dashboard, plus there is a choice of five rev counter color backgrounds including red, white, and yellow. The level of customization even extends to the floor carpets, which you can have with an embroidered logo and in a selection of nine colors.

Portofino Trunk and Cargo Space

With 10.3 cubic feet of maximum cargo capacity, the Portofino's trunk size is much more useful than its mid-engine counterparts. It's not a giant space, but the opening is wide and you can get a suitcase or two in there. That's with the roof up, though. With the roof folded down, trunk capacity is reduced substantially and it becomes a lot more awkward to reach in and get items out. Of course, this is the price to pay for the benefit of a hard-top roof, as most soft-tops take up a lot less space. The way to circumvent the possibility of your luggage not fitting is to buy a matching set of luggage from Ferrari, which will fit perfectly whether the roof is up or down.

Interior storage is also much better than in other Ferraris, although once again, average when compared to traditional GTs. You get door pockets, a slim center compartment, and a glovebox to store items like wallets, keys and mobile phones.

Features

While not equipped to the same standard as some truly lavish GTs, the Portofino has a bit more luxury inside than the average Ferrari, although this has more to do with the comfortable layout (in front) than a ton of equipment. Standard features extend to climate control, heated seats, cruise control, a digital gauge cluster, remote keyless entry, a rearview camera, and push-button start (with Ferrari's customary red starter button). Of course, you also get your drive mode adjuster (on the steering wheel) and some slick paddle shifters mounted to the column and not the wheel. A surround-view camera system and parking sensors are available, but you can't get modern driver-assist features like lane departure warning and blind-spot monitoring.

Infotainment

The Ferrari's infotainment system is both modern and functional, comprising a 10.25-inch touchscreen in the dashboard center. An available co-pilot screen places a slim digital readout ahead of the front-seat passenger and displays information like speed and gear selection. While you do get satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and an auxiliary audio input, both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are only available as pricey options, which is a bit ridiculous considering that these smartphone integrations are often standard on many subcompacts. The standard sound system is decent, but don't expect the equivalent of a Burmester surround-sound unit that you'd find in a Mercedes-Benz.

Portofino Problems and Reliability

The Ferrari Portofino doesn't yet have a J.D. Power rating and low sales volumes and consumer reviews make it more challenging to assess reliability, but as with any other Italian sports car, it would be in your best interest to adhere to a strict preventative maintenance schedule. According to the NHTSA, 2019-2021 Portofino models were recalled for a potential loss of brake function, but no other major issues appear to have affected the drop-top.

The Portofino is covered by a three-year/unlimited-miles warranty (including coverage for the powertrain), while complimentary maintenance stretches to seven years regardless of mileage.

Warranty

BasicDrivetrainCorrosionRoadside AssistanceMaintenance
3 Years / Unlimited Miles3 Years / Unlimited Miles3 Years / Unlimited Miles3 Years / Unlimited Miles7 Years / Unlimited Miles


Portofino Safety

There is no Ferrari Portofino review for crashworthiness from local authorities (as is the case with the majority of exotics) so no ratings are available at this time.

Key Safety Features

Although the Portofino gets dual-front and side airbags, an advanced stability/traction control system, and the availability of a surround-view camera system and parking sensors, that's essentially it for the thin safety specification. The modern driver aids that should be fitted to such an expensive GT (adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning, for instance) aren't available at all.

Verdict: Is The Ferrari Portofino A Good Car?

Ferrari's interpretation of a GT stays true to the brand in many ways. Although positioned as a more comfortable Ferrari that can be used every day, the Portofino remains a thrilling driving companion with its turbocharged V8 engine, super direct steering system, and a focus on performance gear rather than opulent extras that would merely add weight. It's also a truly beautiful design and a definite improvement over the California T it replaces, while that electrically operated roof instantly transforms it into a glamorous boulevard cruiser. At over $200,000, it's still annoying that Ferrari wants even more of your money for basic features like Apple CarPlay, while the rear seats are among the smallest and most unusable of any car on sale right now. It also doesn't waft you down the road with the serenity of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe or the Bentley Continental GT. And yet, none of these flaws seem to matter because the Portofino is just so achingly desirable. We want one, and you will too.

What's The Price Of The Ferrari Portofino?

At the time of writing, the Portofino is the cheapest Ferrari on sale - of course, this is a relative term. The gorgeous convertible carries an MSRP of around $213,000 before taxes, licensing, options, and a destination charge of $3,950. To get into another Ferrari convertible, you'll have to cough up upwards of $280k for the 488 Spider.

Additional Packages

Ferrari hasn't exactly equipped the Portofino to exotic levels (especially considering the price), and even the additional options are mostly cosmetic. This differs from German competitors where virtually every available feature can be had. Outside, your Portofino can be fitted with a choice of several wheel designs such as Forged Matt Grigio Corsa rims. You can also choose a brake caliper color and add a carbon exterior that includes, among other things, a front lower lip in carbon. Some options carry truly exorbitant prices, like a front parking camera for over $6,000 and Apple CarPlay for an unreal $4,219. For $5,906, you can add a front passenger digital display, while full electric seats go for $6,412. $2,531 adds carbon fiber interior bits like a cupholder, while $5,568 gets you the dual-mode Magneride suspension.

What Ferrari Portofino Model Should I Buy?

You only have one Ferrari Portofino to choose from, but our recommended specs would include the Rosso Corsa paint, the 20-inch forged painted rims ($6,243), and Magneride dual-mode suspension ($5,568). In protest, we'd skip the laughably expensive Apple CarPlay and front parking camera options for a total of almost $227,000. However, the Portofino M goes on sale in 2021, so might be worth waiting for.

2021 Ferrari Portofino vs Ferrari California T

The Portofino effectively replaced the California T, so the question is whether it's worth spending extra to meet the price of the Ferrari Portofino. The answer to that is a resounding yes. Not only do most people consider the Portofino to be much prettier (which is half the point of this vehicle, anyway), but it's also better to drive thanks to a body that's 35 percent stiffer than before. Although Ferrari claims more space in the back of the Portofino, you won't be carrying rear passengers around in either of these convertibles too often. Otherwise, each car offers brilliant power delivery and breathtaking noise from the turbocharged V8 (the Portofino gets more power), and road manners that make them well-suited to everyday driving. At the touch of a button, you get access to thrilling wind-in-your-hair motoring coupled with the sight of that prancing horse on the steering wheel. The Portofino and the California T are two of the most desirable cars on the road, but it's the new Portofino that we want more.

2021 Ferrari Portofino vs Ferrari 488 Spider

With its mid-engine layout, the 488 Spider has two fewer seats than the Portofino and a lot less cargo space. The 488 Spider's cabin is even more driver-focused but lacks the Portofino's comfort and modern 10.25-inch infotainment screen. If it's ultimate performance you're after, though, then you'll want to go for the 488 Spider with its 661-horsepower twin-turbo V8 being even more powerful than the Portofino's 592-hp mill. The 488 is faster to 60 mph, getting there in around three seconds and because the 488 isn't trying to play double duty as a GT, it can focus all of its attention on a sharp, responsive, and intense driving experience that few other supercars can match. Both have electrically operated roofs. Ultimately, the 488 Spider is the better performance machine and the Portofino is the more versatile. Because Ferrari is Ferrari, we want the one that feels the most likely to set your pants on fire, so it's the 488 Spider for us.