2018 McLaren 570S vs 2018 Lamborghini Huracan Quick Comparison

Are you rich? With the exception of one of us at Motor Illustrated Towers, we only look rich for a few weeks every year. Part of the job is occasionally driving supercars because hey, someone’s got to do it.  If you are quite rich, and love cars, you’ve never had more heavy-hitting automotive options to flaunt your money on.

While hyper cars like the McLaren Senna, Bugatti Chiron and the Koenigseggs are prodigious, their million-dollar price tags can put them out of reach of even the “rich.” Lucky for them, there are a number of attainable supercars for them to enjoy. From the list of potential candidates such as the Acura NSX, Aston Martin Vantage, Audi R8, Ferrari 488 GTB, Porsche 911 GT cars, to name but a few, we’ve selected the Lamborghini Huracán and McLaren 570S for this brief comparison test.

We’ve driven nearly all of the cars mentioned above but the McLaren and Lambo stand out for us.

Which is more enjoyable to drive?

In this head-to-head, the word enjoyable needs to be outlined. If your definition of enjoyable is noise, speed, drama, constant and endless stimulation, you’ll not find a more invigorating car than the Huracán.

Driving the Lambo is the equivalent of tackling Eau-Rouge at Spa-Francorchamps, all the time. The V10 engine screams and whales incessantly, delivering instant and immense gobs of power. No matter the version, the car is insanely quick and always on. The Huracán is a tremendously capable car that can be difficult to enjoy on a daily basis.

The McLaren is a puppy by comparison. The turbocharged V8 is far more docile and less vocal, unless provoked obviously, then the scenery becomes a blur. The 570S is truly civilized despite its breadth of abilities and can serve as a daily driver with little compromise. The twin-turbo V8’s boost is uncanny but so well disciplined that it seems less impressive than the Lambo’s normally-aspirated V10.

Both cars are similar as mid-rear engine cars however the Lamborghini is far more analogue. Steering is less filtered, and the ride is not as isolated – the whole experience is far more visceral. The McLaren is engineered to the limit, digitally enhanced then electronically tuned for “feel”.

On paper, the Huracán’s available AWD configuration should give it an advantage for both acceleration and handling but I can confirm that this is not the case. So sophisticated is the 570S’ drivetrain that it is faultless. Plain and simple.

The Lamborghini Huracán and McLaren 570S are the sun and the moon. Both are celestial objects but have a very different impact on the driver. If enjoyable for you encompasses all manners of driving situations, then there’s only one conclusion.

Answer: the 2018 McLaren 570S

Which will garner more attention?

If these two cars are on your shopping list, even if your intention behind buying one of these cars is purely for the promise of an incredible driving experience, there’s no way you will go unnoticed.

The Lamborghini Huracán is not only aurally loud, it is visually deafening. The slightest hint of colour turns the loud-speaker to 11, and as a result, jaws drop.

The McLaren 570s is far more subdued in nearly all respects. It too can be draped in wild colours but the car’s proper British-ness cannot be overcome. That is, until you arrive at your destination and open the dihedral doors. Then, everyone standing nearby will drop to their knees.

If you are looking for attention, and lots of it, few cars in the world can match a Lamborghini.

Answer: the 2018 Lamborghini Huracán

Which is the better value?

In this scenario, value is not really important. Both cars have a starting price set in the lower $200k range and through very elaborate personalization programs, pricing can double will little effort.

The real question is resale value and whether or not your cherished automobile might even appreciate over time. As far as increasing in worth, the Lamborghini is at a disadvantage. More than 11,000 of them have been produced and sold since 2014 (over 9,000 Aventadors since 2011!) and to this date, we guestimate that no more than 17,000 McLarens have been built since the start of production of the MP4 12C in 2011.

Although this may sound insane, the Lamborghini Huracán presents itself as the more “disposable” of supercars given how readily available they are. McLaren, at least for the moment, is less known and nearly mysterious by comparison.

Answer: the 2018 McLaren 570S

Which would we recommend?

Our answer is the 570S/GT, or any McLaren for that matter. McLarens are better cars on the whole. They may not be faster or even more exotic (well, they are…), but the sense of purpose built into these cars is wide-ranging and quite evident within the first five minutes of the drive.

Don’t get me wrong. The Lamborghini Huracán can serve as a do-everything mode of transportation and could serve as a winter-beater with its available 5^th generation Haldex AWD system. If boisterous performance, non-stop excitement and attention are what you crave, then stay away from the McLaren.

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