Overview
If you’re looking for a side of luxury with your supercar, the 2021 McLaren GT takes the performance of the brand’s other white-hot offerings and dresses it up with high-end cabin materials. The GT is a two-seater, though, so don’t make any road-trip plans for a group. Nappa leather upholstery, a glass roof, and an optional 12-speaker Bowers & Wilkins stereo system help make the interior a pleasant place to relax while driving long distance. Cargo capacity is better than other McLaren models too, so packing light isn’t a requirement. But despite its best efforts at luxury, the GT lacks certain amenities that a wide range of rivals ranging from the Aston Martin DB11 to the Bentley Continental GT coupe provide—things like as massaging seats, wood trim, and driver-assistance features. But hey, can your Bentley or Aston hit 60 mph in 2.8 seconds? The McLaren can.
What’s New for 2021?
The McLaren GT rolls into its sophomore year with no notable changes. Even its base price of $213,195 is the same as last year’s model.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
McLaren sells the GT in a single trim level decked out with enough amenities to please the typical buyer in this class. The car boasts a staggered wheel layout, with 20-inch rims in the front and 21-inch rims in the rear. All models are equipped with LED headlamps. The lights come with rain and light sensors as well as sequential LED indicators. In back, a fixed rear wing sits above slim LED taillights, a large rear diffuser, and sizable exhaust tailpipes. Within the cabin, you’ll find standard equipment such as leather upholstery and knurled-aluminum controls. Every GT coupe comes with tech features such as navigation and Bluetooth connectivity as well as driver-assistance features such as a backup camera. McLaren offers a long list of options for the GT, including amenities such as an upgraded sound system and rear privacy glass.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
McLaren has equipped the GT with a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 that generates 612 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the rear wheels. As you’d expect from a vehicle wearing the McLaren nameplate, the GT counts swift acceleration among its strengths. The company claims that the coupe sprints from zero to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds; we have yet to test one to verify that claim. The car comes with launch control and features that work to optimize acceleration from a standing start. The car’s ride quality is comfortable enough to make it a pleasant choice for every-day driving, and the GT offers a selection of driving modes that allow you to customize the car’s handling to your desires.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
According to McLaren, the GT achieves mileage of 15/22 mpg city/highway. That puts it behind the Aston Martin DB11, a rival with fuel economy that comes in at as high as 18/24 mpg. For more information about the GT’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
This McLaren is accessed via dihedral doors, a feature that’s unusual among grand tourers. Relative to the other models in this class, the GT has a disadvantage when it comes to passenger capacity. While most models in this segment seat four or more passengers, this coupe accommodates just two. The cabin is more deluxe than that of the typical McLaren, with ample use of supple hide. Nappa leather upholstery is standard, and options such as cashmere and microfiber are offered. An optional panoramic glass roof lets natural light into the cabin. The glass roof is available with an electrochromatic feature that allows it to switch from opaque to varying levels of transparency at the touch of a button. Unfortunately, luxury features such as massaging and ventilated front seats—commonly offered by other picks in this class—aren’t available on this McLaren. The GT offers cargo capacity that’s generous for this class. In back, there’s a rear luggage bay that offers 14.8 cubic feet of stowage. There’s also a front trunk offering an additional 5.3 cubic feet, bringing total cargo capacity to 20.1 cubic feet. With a rival such as the Aston Martin DB11, you get only nine cubic feet of room for your gear. Keep in mind, though, that due to the placement of the engine, the GT’s rear cargo area gets very hot. A laptop stored there was warm enough to cause concern after a drive.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The GT’s lineup of tech features includes a 7.0-inch portrait-style touchscreen, and the automaker says its graphics were inspired by those used on private jets. SiriusXM satellite radio and navigation are standard, as well as Bluetooth phone and music streaming and a four-speaker sound system. A 12-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system is optional.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Unfortunately, driver-assistance features such as blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and forward-collision mitigation aren’t offered with the GT. For more information about the GT’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
McLaren’s limited and powertrain warranty coverage is identical to the protection offered by rivals such as Aston Martin and Bentley.
- Limited warranty covers 3 years or unlimited miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 3 years or unlimited miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
