Is the 2024 McLaren 750S a Good Supercar? 5 Pros, 2 Cons

The McLaren 750S is the latest offering from the storied British manufacturer of uncompromising racing vehicles and supercars, and it arrives with some big shoes to fill. The 720S it replaces was a groundbreaking vehicle for McLaren and is generally regarded as one of the best of the breed. But with the 750S, McLaren managed to create something lighter, faster and more powerful than the outgoing model without losing any of the sensation and experience that made the 720S so scintillating.

Related: 2024 McLaren 750S Review: Brain-Bender

Rather than a complete redesign, the new supercar carries over the 720S’ carbon-fiber monocoque, twin-turbo V-8 engine and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. But with the 750S, the wizards of Woking shaved 66 pounds in overall weight and coaxed another 30 horsepower from the powertrain, the latter thanks to engine tuning largely sourced from the limited-production 765LT. Other changes include an updated interior with a new interface, a larger active rear spoiler now made from carbon fiber, and a new single, center-exit exhaust.

Cars.com West Coast Bureau Chief Conner Golden was lucky enough to be the first of the staff to drive the new 750S and found it to be a worthy successor to the 720S. (Cars.com pays for its own lodging and airfare when attending such manufacturer-sponsored events.) But there’s still room for improvement, as you’ll see when you click the link above for Golden’s expert review. For a quicker rundown, read on for five things we like about the 2024 McLaren 750S and two things we do not.

Things We Like

1. Power Boost

The 750S has the same twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission used in the 720S, but it gets a 30-hp bump. That’s thanks primarily to lightweight forged pistons and increased turbo boost, but it’s the shorter final drive ratio that provides the most seat-of-the-pants acceleration improvement. The result is 740 hp and 590 pounds-feet of torque, enough to propel the 750S from 0-60 mph in just 2.7 seconds on its way to a blistering 10.1-second quarter-mile run.

2. Steering and Brake Feel

Kudos to McLaren for sticking with hydraulic steering in the 750S, which provides some of the best feedback of any current sport model or supercar. Light but accurate, the steering has a more natural feel than the low-effort, electric-boosted power steering systems used in many supercars. Brake performance is nothing short of phenomenal, with the huge carbon-ceramic discs bringing the McLaren to a stop quickly and fade-free, even if the brake pedal engagement is on the stiff side.

3. Welcoming Cockpit

Apart from the new center screen and redesigned controls for Comfort, Sport and Track drive settings, the intimate interior will look largely familiar to 720S owners. There’s nothing wrong with that, as the 750S’ cockpit offers luxe accommodations to match the supercar price tag, and exceptional materials are used throughout. Still, it can approach more businesslike than luxurious, with upscale touches including contrasting stitching on the aggressively bolstered bucket seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a surprisingly impressive Bowers & Wilkins audio system.

4. Improved Interface

McLaren has wisely retired the 720S’ complicated retracting and foldable center screen in favor of a conventional, vertically oriented screen angled toward the driver. We’re pleased as punch with the results. Easier to navigate, read and use, the new display is a big improvement, and it houses most of the 750S’ controls with the exception of a handful of buttons and stalks.

5. Remarkable Ride

For all of its impressive performance, the 750S delivers a surprisingly comfortable and absorbent ride for a supercar — at least if you keep it in Comfort mode. Credit for this goes to McLaren’s signature trick hydraulic suspension; it may not quite match the cushiness quotient of a Lincoln, but the ride is spooky-good for a supercar (even over broken pavement).

More From Cars.com:

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• Research the McLaren 750S

Things We Don’t Like

1. Dual-Clutch Drawbacks

Updates to the Graziano-sourced seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission include revised tuning in Sport mode to provide more feedback going through the gears. Shifts are quick and positive, and they aren’t nearly as jerky as some of the single-clutch automatics found in older supercars. In some situations, however, the tuned-in physical feedback borders on too aggressive, resulting in a noticeable jolt with every shift.

2. Save Your Shekels

Not that prospective owners in McLaren’s target demographic probably care as much as us ordinary schmos, but a new McLaren 750S coupe starts at $331,000 (including destination). A droptop Spider is also available, but that will set you back about $352,000 — a price hike of some $21,000 compared to the 720S.

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