2025 McLaren GTS Review

Trims

2025 McLaren GTS trim comparison

Starting MSRP

$224,400

MPG

Engine

Drive Type

Automatic Emergency Braking

Basic Warranty

Horsepower

Blind Spot System

Surround View Camera

Adaptive Cruise Control

Remote Engine Start

Parking Sensors

Multi-Zone Climate Control

Premium Audio

15 city/22 hwy

4.0L V8 Turbo

RWD

5 yr / 46k mi

626 hp

Engine Type

Fuel Type

Horsepower

Horsepower RPM

Torque

Torque RPM

Engine Displacement

Engine Configuration

Cylinders

Aspiration

EPA City Fuel Economy

EPA Highway Fuel Economy

EPA Combined Fuel Economy

Gas

Premium Unleaded

626 hp

7500 rpm

465 lb-ft

5500 rpm

4.0 L

V

8 cylinder

Turbocharged

15 MPG

22 MPG

18 MPG

Reviewed by Kelly Hellwig

Overview

Unlike Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, and Bentley, McLaren only makes supercars. No sedans. No SUVs. The McLaren lineup consists solely of two-seat, mid-engine, twin-turbo sports cars with extreme performance, sleek lines, and the British brand’s signature dihedral doors. Cars like the spectacular new 2025 McLaren GTS. With 626 horsepower and a base price near $225,000, the GTS is McLaren’s least powerful and most affordable model. It’s also the most comfortable and practical McLaren built, although the hybrid-powered McLaren Artura is a close second. Both models are easy to drive around town because they sacrifice some performance in exchange for comfort and practicality.

The GTS competes with other seriously fast Grand Tourers such as the Porsche 911 Turbo S, Aston Martin DB12, and Ferrari Roma. But don’t think it’s a wallflower because it has a smooth ride and the largest cargo capacity in McLaren’s lineup. It features a carbon-fiber structure and massive carbon ceramic brakes, just like a Formula 1 car. It runs to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds and has a top speed of 203 mph, which makes it one of the fastest cars in the world. Where the GTS lags its rivals is with its 7-inch touchscreen and lack of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. McLaren also doesn’t offer adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, emergency braking, or any advanced driver-assist features.

Positives

Thrilling power, acceleration, and handling. Comfortable ride. Surprisingly large cargo area.

Considerations

Small touchscreen. Lacks advanced driver-assist features.

Verdict

The 2025 McLaren GTS combines dramatic supercar looks and thrilling performance with everyday comfort.

What's New for 2025

The McLaren GTS is an all-new nameplate, but it’s really an updated version of the McLaren GT with an increase in power and revised front and rear styling. The GTS also gets fresh colors, gloss-black exterior trim, new forged alloy wheels, and updated cabin materials.

Trims and Pricing

The 2025 McLaren GTS is available in three trim levels: Standard, Performance, and TechLux. All three trims are priced the same ($219,400, including a $5,000 destination fee) and distinguish themselves with special interior themes.

Standard

The Standard includes Nappa leather, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, auto-leveling LED headlights, heated door mirrors, paddle shifters, a voice-operated 7-inch touchscreen, a digital gauge cluster with 3D turn-by-turn navigation, Bluetooth, two USB ports, dual-zone climate control, interior map lights, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, two cupholders, and a covered storage bin that doubles as an armrest.

Performance

The Performance trim features soft-grain aniline leather and Alcantara upholstery in Jet Black or Barolo with contrasting piping, plus heated power-adjustable seats with memory settings.

TechLux

The TechLux, or Technical Luxury trim offers a choice of soft-grain aniline leathers in distinctive colors with a special double-piped pattern on the seats.

Engine and Performance

The 2025 McLaren GTS is powered by a tweaked version of McLaren’s smooth 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine. It’s the same engine that powered the discontinued McLaren GT, but is pumped up to 626 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. That’s 14 hp more than before. The big V8 is mounted behind the cabin and paired with a quick-shifting seven-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the rear wheels. All-wheel drive is common at this price, but isn't offered in any McLaren model. The automaker says the GTS sprints to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds and has a top speed of 203 mph. That’s incredible performance, but the all-wheel-drive Porsche 911 Turbo S is quicker.

Like the McLaren GT, the GTS features a carbon-fiber structure so we expect it to be a well-rounded sports car. This McLaren should be fun to drive, but also perfectly comfortable and composed on the highway and around town. Adjustable suspension dampers with Comfort, Sport, and Track modes are standard. To navigate steep driveways without scraping, its nose can be raised nearly an inch in 4 seconds by pushing a lever on the steering column. Steering should be quick, with excellent response, and we expect braking power to be impressive. Massive carbon-ceramic disc brakes with six-piston aluminum calipers (four-piston at the rear) are included.

Fuel Economy

The 2025 McLaren GTS has not yet been rated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). However, we expect its fuel economy to match the similar McLaren GT, which was rated 15 mpg during city driving and 22 mpg on the highway, for 18 mpg combined. Considering its extreme power and performance, that's impressive efficiency.

The Aston Martin DB12 returns identical fuel economy numbers and is similar to the Porsche 911 Turbo S. The Ferrari Roma (17/22 mpg city/highway) is slightly more efficient.

Interior

Entrance into the McLaren GTS is through true supercar doors. The GTS is equipped with the brand’s signature dihedral doors, which are wonderfully dramatic, well-balanced, and very light so they’re easy to open and close. But be careful getting out; it’s easy to smack your head on the door.

Unlike the Porsche 911 Turbo S and Aston Martin DB12, the GTS is a two-seater. The McLaren's cockpit is a bit snug when it comes to shoulder room, but there’s plenty of head- and legroom. We expect its sports seats to provide good support for enthusiastic driving yet remain comfortable on long road trips. And McLaren’s designers managed to squeeze in a pair of cupholders and a covered console bin between the seats. The overall design and build quality live up to the McLaren’s price tag. The available electrochromic glass roof is a favorite feature. With the touch of a button it transforms from transparent to opaque, with a range of settings in between. At its darkest setting, the glass completely blocks exterior light.

The GTS features considerable cargo space, which is unusual in a mid-engine supercar. Under the rear hatch is 14.8 cubic feet of usable cargo space, which McLaren says will fit a golf bag. Like the Porsche 911 Turbo S, the GTS also has a front trunk, or frunk, which offers an additional 5.3 cubic feet of storage.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Drivers expect a supercar that costs a quarter of a million dollars to have all the latest technology, including a large touchscreen with cutting-edge features and connectivity. This is where the 2025 McLaren GTS falls a bit short. Its 7-inch vertical touchscreen display is small by today’s standards, but it is well-placed and easy to use. Physical buttons below the screen for navigation and audio tuning keep things simple, while the climate controls remain static on the screen and are easily adjusted. There’s Bluetooth connectivity, but McLaren does not offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto in the GTS. The standard four-speaker audio system is also disappointing. The premium 12-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system is a worthwhile upgrade.

Safety

Neither the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) nor the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has tested the McLaren GTS.

McLaren does not offer adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, emergency braking, or any advanced driver-assist features. The GTS only includes the basics: anti-lock brakes and traction control.

McLaren GTS vs. the Competition

The 2025 McLaren GTS is a special two-seat mid-engine grand tourer that combines the style, performance, and drama of a supercar with everyday livability. The McLaren is also a rare tourer in that it does not offer a back seat or all-wheel drive. The Porsche 911 Turbo S is quicker than the GTS, while the more traditional front-engine Aston Martin DB12 and Ferrari Roma offer similar performance with a higher level of everyday practicality. The McLaren is only offered as a coupe, while its rivals are available as coupes or convertibles.

McLaren GTS vs. Aston Martin DB12

McLaren GTS vs. Ferrari Roma

McLaren GTS vs. Porsche 911

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