2022 McLaren 720S Spider

As much as car people tend to doggedly opt for the hard-top version of a car due to its "less compromised" approach to performance, there is always a case to be made for feeling the wind in your hair. When you're in a six-figure supercar, the advantages of a drop-top extend to letting everyone see who's behind the wheel. However, not all car companies create a flawed version of a good car by cutting the roof off. McLaren is one of the brands that goes out of its way to maximize performance and minimize drawbacks, and the 720S Spider is one of the brand's most incredible vehicles. Powered by the same 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 found in the coupe, it produces a whopping 710 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque. But is the British Spider truly worth the extra money over less expensive rivals like the Ferrari F8 Spider and the Lamborghini Huracan Evo Spyder?

No major changes have been made to the 720S Spider for the 2022 model year. If you're after an even more focused McLaren drop-top, though, you can always go for the new 765LT Spider which we review separately.

The McLaren lineup receives a new 765LT with 754 hp that is based on the 720S. We review the 765LT separately. As for the 720S, it continues on essentially unchanged.

No changes are made to the 2020 720S models and both coupe and Spider are the same as the 2019 models.

The McLaren 720S Coupe was launched in 2018 and this year, it is joined by the 720S Spider, which sports a retractable hardtop. Due to the integral Monocage II carbon-fiber monocoque, the Spider does not require additional chassis bracing, despite losing its top. As a result, only the folding top mechanism adds weight, so the Spider is around 108 pounds heavier than the coupe. An optional Track Pack reduces weight even more, thanks to items such as carbon-fiber seats.

Breathtakingly gorgeous with the top up or down, the 720S Spider features a vented hood and insect-like headlights and taillights with LED running lights. The windows are framed by gloss black pillars, a theme that continues around the headlights and prominent rear diffuser and vents, the former of which features dual-exit exhaust tips. The dihedral doors are sculpted to channel air towards the engine and sit between 19-inch wheels at the front and 20s at the rear.

As we alluded to above, the 720S Spider is a little heavier than its coupe sibling, but other dimensions remain the same. On the coupe, the curb weight is measured at 3,139 lbs but the Spider isn't much heftier, weighing just 3,247 lbs. Length measures 178.9 inches while the wheelbase measures 105.1 inches. Height is just 47 inches while maximum width is an expansive 85.1 inches.

The 720S Spider features McLaren's 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with 710 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque. Code-named M840T, the engine is a remarkable force of engineering that offers near-instant throttle response while still having the legs to pull hard throughout the rev range. Activate launch control and you can dispense with the sprint from 0-60 mph in just 2.8 seconds. The quarter-mile is done in a little over 10 seconds, and the top speed with the roof in place is an impressive 212 mph. Even with the top down, maximum speed drops by only 10 mph. The acceleration and otherworldly speed that this thing is capable of are mindblowing, and the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox does an excellent job of keeping up, with lightning-quick responses and changes.

Despite being a rear-wheel-drive machine with well over 700 horses, the 720S has oodles of mechanical grip that are further aided by active aerodynamic aids that work harder the more you push the car. In addition to exceptional accuracy and sharpness in the steering system, the fact that McLaren opted for an electro-hydraulic system means you get plenty of feedback and feel from the road too. It's also well weighted at speed and light enough for low-speed parking maneuvers. As you'd expect from a supercar, body roll is practically nonexistent, but if you really want to hoon, you can use the weight of the car to flick it into a slide. Should that be too much effort for you, Variable Drift Control can make you look like a hero while keeping you safe. Despite all these performance-enhancing aids and engineering marvels, the adaptive suspension system offers remarkable levels of compliance that can allow you to cruise in comfort. Braking is similarly excellent and is helped along by that deployable rear wing.

Even with the extra weight of the Spider, it matches the figures of the 720S coupe with EPA estimates of 15/22/18 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycles. With a 19-gallon gas tank, you can expect a range with mixed driving of a little more than 340 miles.

As a supercar, practicality is not the 720S Spider's strong suit, with space for just two individuals. Once you cross over the large door sill and drop down into your seat, you immediately feel cocooned and a part of the car, yet it's not claustrophobic. You and your passenger are unlikely to brush shoulders, and there's plenty of headroom and legroom whether you have the top up or down. Everything is within easy reach of the driver too, with the center console angled towards said individual. If you add the Track Pack to the Performance model, you get carbon fiber racing seats in Regular or Touring spec, a carbon black Alcantara steering wheel and satin finish carbon fiber extended gear shift paddles.

The 720S Spider's 'frunk' is reasonably good for a supercar, offering 5.2 cubic feet of volume to allow an overnight bag or two to squeeze in, while a secondary storage area beneath the convertible cover brings total volume to 7.2 cubes.

In the cabin, you'll find a central cupholder and a spot under the floating center console where you could put your phone or keys, but there's not much more in the way of personal storage solutions.

As standard, the 720S Spider offers keyless entry and ignition, auto-leveling LED headlights, a deployable active rear spoiler, hill start assist, cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, heated power-folding wing mirrors, soft-close dihedral doors, dual-zone climate control, launch control, and parking sensors. You also get a rearview camera and adaptive dampers, as well as a folding dual-screen driver-info display. Optional features include interior and engine bay ambient lighting, a nose-lift system, park assist, and heated seats. McLaren's Track Telemetry can be had if you specify the Track Pack on the Performance trim, which allows you to time your track laps.

The 720S Spider's infotainment system features a vertically-aligned eight-inch touchscreen display that is connected to four speakers and offers a pair of USB ports along with auxiliary input, voice control, and a built-in hard drive. You also get Bluetooth connectivity, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not offered. While the graphics are attractive and the system is easy enough to get accustomed to and navigate, the screen itself can be slow to respond at times. Optionally available is a Bowers & Wilkins 12-speaker sound system to completely drown out any wind or noise that would compromise the enjoyment of your topless cruise.

Thus far, a few recalls have been issued for the 720S, with a foam pad that may retain moisture and cause the fuel tank to corrode affecting all model years, while brake failure at one corner, causing the vehicle to pull to one side under braking, is a potential problem on 2019 and 2020 cars. At the time of writing, there were no recalls for 2021 and 2022 models.

Should there be any issues, each new 720S comes with a three-year/unlimited mileage warranty that also covers paint, as well as a 10-year corrosion warranty. An extended warranty can also be purchased for 12 years with a 12,000-mile per year limit.

Naturally, cars with such exorbitant price tags are not subjected to crash tests and the 720S Spider is no different. However, while the IIHS and NHTSA have not tested the car, a carbon fiber tub keeps occupants safe, as do features like traction and stability control, hill start assist, adaptive LED headlights, frontal and side-impact airbags, and a rearview camera with front and rear parking sensors.

A supercar is not a car that you buy for any practical reason. Firstly, it almost no convenience features and is very low on storage space. However, the argument for buying one can't even be fully justified by its performance since, in this case, we're talking about a convertible which is inherently flawed when compared to a coupe. But with the 720S Spider, the increase in weight is minimal and the performance deficit is only really apparent when you're aiming for top speed with the roof down. In addition, this isn't just any supercar - it's a 720S. Already hallowed for its incredible acceleration, speed, and handling ability, the 720S Spider simply adds to the drama and sense of occasion by allowing you to drop the roof. Sure, it's expensive and the infotainment system can be a little slow, but if you can afford one, you don't care about the price and if you're driving one, you won't care about anything but the road in front of you. We'd have one in a heartbeat.

The McLaren 720S Spider is offered in three trims, with the base model starting at around $315,000 before a $2,500 destination charge. For the Performance, expect to pay about $320,840. The Luxury trim adds features like heated seats and ambient lighting, along with full leather upholstery, and retails for around $322,790. Options on these cars are expensive, so expect to pay close to $400,000 for your ultimate 720S Spider.

Since this is a drop-top, part of the reason you buy the car is to enjoy it at lower speeds too, so we'd opt for the Luxury trim, with its full leather upholstery, heated seats, and attractive ambient lighting. However, we'd also splash out the nose-lift system to save the front end from speedbump scrapes. While we're at it, we'd upgrade from the standard four-speaker sound system and splash out on the 12-speaker Bowers & Wilkins setup. Finally, we'd also add the 360-degree parking aid to avoid expensive mistakes.

Whether it be on the Formula 1 circuit or on the road, the rivalry between McLaren and Ferrari has been fierce and is likely to be perennial. So what does Maranello offer at the same price as the 720S Spider? Well, their 488 Pista Spider is the answer. Featuring a 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 with 711 hp, the Fezza looks on paper to be very similar to the Mac. It's also got a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and sends all its power to the rear wheels. However, the Italian is considerably more expensive, with a base price of $350,000. It's also no longer on sale. It's something of a track special, following in the footsteps of the 458 Speciale before it and the F430 Scuderia before that. Thus, it's a little less comfortable in daily use but is arguably the better of the two in terms of aural pleasure. However, like the McLaren, it has its faults, among which is a poor infotainment system. At the end of the day, each is brilliant and the choice will come down to which thrills the individual looking to spend six figures on their next toy.

Lamborghini has never been a company that puts quite as much interest in racing as McLaren. The company builds cars that are meant to shock onlookers and become the fantasies of every young gearhead. Thanks to a naturally-aspirated 6.5-liter V12 with 729 hp and 507 lb-ft of torque, the Aventador roadster sounds far better than anything McLaren offers and the fat Lambo can keep up with the 720S too, thanks in part to an all-wheel-drive system that allows it to get from 0-60 mph in 2.9 seconds. That's slower than the 720S, but it has a higher top speed of 217 mph. Overall, the McLaren is the one with more finesse and better ability on track, but the noise and presence of a big V12 Lambo are hard to beat.