The Ferrari Portofino (named for a village in Italy) is the entry-level vehicle in the Ferrari range, but is it a four-seater car?
The Ferrari Portofino does have four seats, even if the rear seats offer very little space. In fact, there’s so little space in the back, that some reviewers insist it should be used as a cargo space instead, but you can technically still fit four people in the car.
Read on to learn more about the Ferrari Portofino, why it’s the entry-level offering, and what it’s capable of.
The Entry-Level Into A Very Expensive Range
It might sound a little ironic at first – an ‘entry-level’ Ferrari – but that’s exactly what the Ferrari Portofino is. It’s the most affordable and ‘everyday’ Ferrari in the range, boasting an underspoken aesthetic that is still Ferrari at its core.
The relatively young model was first revealed in 2017, in the village of Portofino, Italy, before being shown again at an event in Maranello just days later. This reveal coincided with the 70th anniversary of Ferrari.
Although the Portofino was far from being the most powerful Ferrari ever released, it was way more accessible than the remainder of the range. When it first launched, the Portofino could be purchased for a base price of around $215,000.
That’s a considerable amount less than the top of the spectrum which is occupied by the Ferrari Monza SP2, a one-million-dollar hypercar. It’s also substantially more affordable than the comparable Ferrari models, such as the SF90 Stradale, which costs half a million dollars.
In fact, the only vehicle in the Ferrari range to come close to the Portofino in terms of affordability is the Ferrari Roma. This twin-seat, 3.9-liter offering is reminiscent of an Aston Martin by aesthetic, and it starts at just $222,000.
At its foundation, the Ferrari Portofino was truly a spectacle of a vehicle, boasting sharp lines and a stunning interior. It was what fans of the Italian supercar manufacturer had come to expect from the brand, and it didn’t disappoint.
The Portofino picked up a very positive reception when it was revealed, and it scored highly in reviews post-launch. It was a vehicle that boasted everyday comfort, combined with breakneck speeds and eye-watering acceleration.
There were some reviewers who claimed that the Portofino was ‘less hyperactive’ than the more advanced Ferrari models. However, they also expanded on that by explaining that instead, it was a well-balanced and comfortable vehicle to drive.
The Toys Of The Wealthy
Again, it might seem bizarre claiming that any Ferrari could be considered entry-level, but here we are. The Portofino is relatively underpowered when compared to its Italian brethren, but it still produces a 199 miles-per-hour top speed and can blast from zero to sixty in just 3.5 seconds.
The Portofino’s interior is considered to be one of the best that Ferrari has offered and the fact that it has four-seats is just an added bonus. Although there isn’t a whole lot of room in the back, you can carry three passengers in the Portofino – which rare for a supercar.
There’s very little legroom in the back of the car, and some reviewers claim that the space is better used as a cargo area. However, if you pull the front seats forward a little, there’s no reason why those four seats can’t all be used as intended.
Thankfully, you can make a little more room inside the Portofino by dropping the top – this Ferrari comes equipped with an innovative retractable roof system. Although it’ll only boost vertical space, it makes the interior feel a little less cramped, particularly to the rear of the vehicle.
Ultimately, the Ferrari Portofino feels like a quarter-million-dollar supercar on the inside, with soft-touch, hand-stitched leather surfaces being the order of the day. There are ample helpings of carbon fiber, and the dash is fronted with a large, high-definition 10.3-inch touchscreen panel.
Furthermore, the Portofino comes with an adequate infotainment system, but like other Ferraris, the stock stereo system leaves a lot to be desired. In fact, we’ve written another article discussing the audio system in the Ferrari 488, which tells a similar story to the Portofino.
Admittedly, if you’ve got $215,000 to spend on a Ferrari, then you’ll likely think nothing of paying a few thousand more to upgrade the sound system in the car. Once that change has been made, the four occupants of the vehicle can vibe to their hearts’ content.