Ferrari is one of the most famous brands globally, and almost everyone knows that Ferraris are high-quality, high-speed, and high-priced cars. That being said, while Ferraris are made for the rich, there are more affordable options in its lineup. Here’s a look at the 2021 Ferrari Portofino M, which, at just over $200,000, is one of the cheapest Ferraris out there.

The specs of the 2021 Ferrari Portofino M

As Car and Driver wrote, even Ferrari has entry-level cars in its lineup. The Portofino is Ferrari’s latest entry-level car, but it still won’t be affordable for the average driver. That’s because it has a starting price tag of about $226,000, but many options are available. This cheap Ferrari could easily cost over $300,000, but at the very least, those options will improve its comfort levels.

However, one of the reasons it’s a great entry-level Ferrari is that it’s not designed to be a hypercar. As Car and Driver wrote, the Portofino is quite roomy for a Ferrari. To be clear, it’s still a sports car, so it won’t be a good idea to take this Ferrari to the hardware store. However, it can carry some cargo, and it has rear seats, too. Those seats aren’t spacious, but they are there for Ferrari families who have small children. 

Relatively affordable, but still a luxury sports car

Since the Portofino isn’t the most expensive Ferrari, it won’t have the most powerful engine. Still, its engine is big and powerful enough to allow folks to have a good time with their Ferrari. According to Car and Driver, the Portofino has a 3.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine. With the 2021 model year, Ferrari made some improvements that ultimately pushed its output to 612 horsepower and 561 lb-ft of torque. 

Car and Driver said this allows the Portofino to go from 0 to 60 mph in about 3.1 seconds. That said, despite a modest increase in horsepower from the year before, the latest Portofino should still have a top speed of about 199 mph. This is a bit slower than other Ferraris, but it’s a relatively negligible difference.

Power is just one factor that matters, however. How a car handles when on the road is essential, too. This is another area where Ferrari excels, so it’s no surprise that the Portofino does well here. Indeed, for the 2021 model year, Ferrari’s even added a new driving mode to the car.

How the 2021 Ferrari Portofino M handles

Previously, the Portofino had the Wet, Comfort, Sport, and ESC-Off driving modes. Now, Ferrari has added the Race mode. This mode will tweak all the electronics in the car to be at their “most relaxed calibration,” according to Car and Driver. This should, in theory, give the car a very different feel when driving it.

As such, unsurprisingly, the Portofino should be fun to drive, whether it’s on straight roads or winding mountain roads. On top of that, however, Car and Driver said that the Portofino should handle potholes just fine. Obviously, it’s a much better car on well-paved and well-maintained roads. In a similar vein, not only does this Ferrari have a good ride quality, but it also has some good seats too.

The seats are quite comfortable, and Car and Driver wrote that drivers should also get some good visibility from their seats. This is true whether the top is up or down. As such, no matter how someone drives, the Portofino should be a good experience for all.