Overview
When you think of a plug-in hybrid, you may conjure an image of eco-warriors slow-driving in the right lane trying to squeeze every last mile per gallon. But what if we told you there was a PHEV Ferrari capable of hitting 60 mph in the time it takes a Toyota Prius Prime driver to buckle their seatbelt? The 2024 SF90 Stradale and Spider are hypercars, not hypermilers. Under their exotic bodywork is a 986-hp powertrain composed of a twin-turbo V-8 and three electric motors. A new SF90 XX variant dials everything up to 1016 ponies and features even more advanced tech and cutting-edge aerodynamics designed to improve lap times. The SF90’s luxurious interior is filled with aromatic leather, high-quality trim, and a simple control layout that puts everything at the driver’s fingertips—literally. Sadly, its half-million-dollar base price puts this car into the automotive stratosphere where Ferraris dwell, out of reach of all but the wealthiest and best-connected customers.
What’s New for 2024?
An even more performant SF90 XX variant joins the lineup for 2024. This track-focused beast makes 1016 horsepower and features additional aerodynamic enhancements and upgraded electronic gizmos, all of which give it an edge over the standard model as well as other supercars. Unfortunately, only 799 SF90 Stradale coupes and 599 SF90 Spider convertibles will be produced, and all are already spoken for.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Both standard SF90 models come packed with enough amenities to make either car a satisfying pick, but we’d spring for the droptop Spider variant. If you want to give this Ferrari a more customized appearance, you can select from a host of upholstery choices. There are several different wheel designs, and the list of available upgrades includes carbon-fiber components, a titanium exhaust, a digital rearview mirror, and brake calipers in a variety of colors.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
With the SF90, power comes from a massively powerful V-8 and three electric motors. The twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 generates a mighty 769 horsepower on its own, and the trio of electric motors provides an additional 217 horsepower. In the end, the gas/electric powertrain generates a net output of 986 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. Upgrading to the SF90 XX unlocks 30 more horsepower for a total of 1016 hp and adds a feature Ferrari calls Extra Boost, which temporarily increases power output to help regain speed when exiting a corner. Power is sent to all four wheels, making this the first mid-engine Ferrari with all-wheel drive. An eight-speed automatic transmission oversees the proceedings. As you’d expect, all that power under the hood translates to blistering acceleration. Ferrari’s official estimate is that the SF90 will rocket from zero to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds and the SF90 XX will do it in 2.3. Our testing of an SF90 Stradale proved that number to be conservative, as it ripped to 60 mph in a scant 2.0 seconds—a record for a production vehicle in our testing. Different driving modes allow you to tailor the car’s handling to suit your preferences. Use the mode selector to dial up EV Only, Hybrid, Performance, or, last but not least, Qualify—a setting that allows you to fully exploit the car’s performance capabilities.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA estimates that the SF90 Stradale coupe should deliver 18 mpg combined when running solely on gasoline and up to 51 MPGe when utilizing both its gasoline engine and its electric motors. We haven’t tested the SF90 on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, which is part of our testing regimen, so we can’t evaluate its real-world mpg. For more information about the SF90’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The SF90’s interior is sedate, by hypercar standards, with the yellow prancing-horse logo adding a splash of color at the center of the steering wheel. This two-seat coupe is home to a sculpted dashboard with fluid lines that mimic the flowing design of the car’s exterior. With high-performance exotics, cargo space is typically in short supply. This is certainly the case with the SF90, which provides roughly three cubic feet of room for your stuff. The SF90 XX models feature a more stripped-down interior. To save weight, Ferrari removed unnecessary materials such as carpeted floor mats. The SF90 XX’s door panels and center console have been redesigned in carbon fiber, too. But that model’s most obvious interior difference is a set of monocoque bucket seats that replaces the standard model’s chairs.
Infotainment and Connectivity
All SF90 models come with an LCD monitor up front and a six-speaker sound system. The car is also equipped with standard tech features such as Bluetooth phone and streaming audio, real-time traffic, and an integrated navigation system with a voice-activation feature. Apple CarPlay integration is offered, but Android Auto isn’t on the list of available amenities.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Hypercars aren’t typically known for offering a broad selection of driver-assistance features, which is true of the SF90. For more information about the SF90’s crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard backup camera
- Standard rear parking sensors
- Available blind-spot monitoring
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Ferrari offers limited- and powertrain-warranty coverage identical to that provided by Lamborghini. However, Ferrari one-ups its rival when it comes to complimentary scheduled maintenance; with Ferrari vehicles, you get seven years of coverage. With Lamborghini vehicles, complimentary scheduled maintenance isn’t offered.
- Limited warranty covers 3 years or unlimited miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 3 years or unlimited miles
- Complimentary scheduled maintenance covers 7 years or unlimited miles
Specifications
Specifications
2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale
VEHICLE TYPE
mid-engine, all-wheel-drive, 2-passenger coupe
BASE PRICE
$511,250
POWERTRAIN
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve 4.0-liter V-8, 769 hp, 590 lb-ft; 2 permanent-magnet synchronous AC front motors, 133 hp, 63 lb-ft each; permanent-magnet synchronous AC rear motor, 201 hp, 196 lb-ft; combined output, 986 hp; 6.5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack
TRANSMISSION
8-speed dual-clutch automatic
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 104.3 in
Length: 185.4 in
Width: 77.6 in
Height: 46.7 in
Cargo volume: 3 ft3
Curb weight (C/D est): 3900 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 2.3 sec
100 mph: 5.0 sec
1/4 mile: 9.9 sec
Top speed: 211 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST)
Combined/city/highway: 22/20/24 mpg
Combined gasoline+electricity: 70 MPGe
EV range: 15 miles
