Ferrari vs Lamborghini: Battle of Supercars
I’ve spent two decades chasing red needles and carbon-fiber dreams, and the Ferrari vs Lamborghini rivalry still gets my pulse up like a green-flag start. I’ve had Ferraris whisper in my ear on misty mountain roads and Lamborghinis shout over me on track days. Different moods. Different music. Same addiction.
So which wins? Depends what you want from an Italian supercar. A scalpel or a sledgehammer. A tux or a neon suit. Let’s dive into the price, the performance, and the personality—then I’ll tell you what I’d pick on a random Tuesday… and on a very loud Saturday.
Ferrari vs Lamborghini: Price, Prestige, and the Buy‑In
Ferrari trades in heritage as much as horsepower. There’s a reason a red car with a prancing horse earns respectful nods at any valet stand. But prestige brings a sticker to match.
- New Ferrari range (approx.): Roma from the mid-$200k’s, 296 GTB around the low-$300k’s, SF90 Stradale comfortably north of $500k.
- New Lamborghini range (approx.): Huracán (final-year cars) in the $300k neighborhood depending on spec; Revuelto (V12 hybrid) around $600k+.
- Used “entry points”: Ferrari California/Portofino often from the low-$100k’s to mid-$200k’s; Lamborghini Gallardo from roughly $90k–$150k depending on condition and year.
Numbers bounce with options and market heat, of course. A paint-to-sample here, some exposed carbon there, and suddenly you’re pricing kitchen remodels in your head.
How Much Is a Ferrari? Real-World Numbers
When I priced a 296 GTB the way I’d want to live with it (front lift, nicer seats, a few carbon toys), it climbed quickly from the low-$300k’s. A Roma or Roma Spider is friendlier on the wallet—relatively speaking—and makes a lovely daily if your “daily” includes espresso runs and coastal detours.
What About Lamborghini Pricing?
Lamborghini’s personality tax is different. You’re paying for theater. The V12 Revuelto is the new poster child—hybrid, 1,001 hp, and about as subtle as fireworks at brunch. Historically, the Huracán has been the “accessible” Lambo—accessible being a flexible word here—while the Urus SUV keeps the lights on. On the used side, clean Gallardos remain the cheapest ticket into the bullring.
Ferrari vs Lamborghini: Performance and Personality
This is where the brands split like an Alpine pass. Ferrari feels engineered by watchmakers—precise, delicate when you want, devastating when you ask. Lamborghini feels like a heavy-metal concert—loud, proud, and somehow better the closer you are to the speakers.
- Ferrari 296 GTB: 819 hp hybrid V6, 0–60 mph around 2.7–2.9 sec. Electric torque fills the gaps; it dances on a mountain road like it’s lighter than it is.
- Ferrari SF90 Stradale: 986 hp hybrid V8, 0–60 as low as ~2.0–2.3 sec. It bends your idea of “road car.” Honestly, first launch had me laughing out loud.
- Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica/STO: 631 hp NA V10, 0–60 around 3.0 sec. Screams to redline; steering talks to you; track days become habit-forming.
- Lamborghini Revuelto: 1,001 hp hybrid V12, 0–60 about 2.3 sec. A cathedral of noise and grip. Feels like the Aventador went to grad school… for chaos.
Ferrari vs Lamborghini: Huracán vs Aventador (and Revuelto)
I’ve always said: the Huracán is the Lamborghini you can thread through traffic without needing a yoga class. The Aventador was the event—wider, heavier controls at low speed, and a sense of occasion every time you open those scissor doors. The new Revuelto keeps the drama but adds hybrid shove and a far more modern chassis balance. On a fast circuit, it’s shockingly tidy.
Ferrari vs Lamborghini: The Feel Behind the Wheel
In a 296 GTB, the brake-by-wire took me a mile to trust—then I forgot about it and started carving. In a Huracán STO, the pedals feel like they’re bolted to your tibia, and the steering tells on you if you’re clumsy. Ferrari’s magnetorheological dampers are a magic carpet on rough roads; Lamborghini’s ANIMA modes and stiff structure make B-roads feel like qualifying laps. Both will happily embarrass “faster” cars with the right driver.
Living With an Italian Supercar (Yes, Really)
Daily driving? Not as mad as it sounds. A Roma or Portofino has the ride to commute without chiropractor appointments. I’ve done airport runs in a Huracán (two carry-ons fit in the frunk if you pack like a Tetris champion). Nose lifts save splitters. Visibility… varies. You’ll learn mirrors like a trucker.
Infotainment? Ferrari insist on steering-wheel mania—shift lights, manettino, even indicators on some models. Looks cool, takes acclimation. Lamborghini’s newer systems are more straightforward, though the haptic climate controls can be fiddly with gloves on. Cabin noise? Quiet enough to hear your kids fighting in the back—if you bought a Urus. In the coupes, forget it when the V10/V12 wakes up.
Ferrari vs Lamborghini: Which Would I Choose?
For a Sunday sunrise run, Ferrari. The cars breathe with the road, and there’s a delicious subtlety to how they load a tire. For a Friday night out in Miami? Lamborghini. It’s the only supercar that turns a parking garage into a red carpet.
Ferrari vs Lamborghini: Quick-Glance Specs and Prices
Model | Engine/Drivetrain | Power (hp) | 0–60 mph | Base MSRP (approx.) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ferrari Roma | 3.9L twin‑turbo V8, RWD | 612 | ~3.3 sec | $247k+ |
Ferrari 296 GTB | 3.0L twin‑turbo V6 hybrid, RWD | 819 | ~2.7–2.9 sec | $320k+ |
Ferrari SF90 Stradale | 4.0L twin‑turbo V8 hybrid, AWD | 986 | ~2.0–2.3 sec | $525k+ |
Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica | 5.2L NA V10, RWD | 631 | ~3.0 sec | $245k–$330k (spec‑dependent) |
Lamborghini Revuelto | 6.5L NA V12 hybrid, AWD | 1,001 | ~2.3 sec | $600k+ |
Note: Published figures and prices vary by market and options. Your launch times may depend on your right foot and the road surface.
FAQs: Ferrari vs Lamborghini
Which is faster, Ferrari or Lamborghini?
Model-dependent. A Ferrari SF90 is among the quickest road cars ever (around 2.0–2.3 sec to 60). Lamborghini’s Revuelto is right there, too. On a tight circuit, chassis tuning and tires matter as much as raw power.
What’s the cheapest way into a Ferrari or Lamborghini?
Usually the used market. Ferrari California/Portofino and Lamborghini Gallardo are common entry points. Get a pre-purchase inspection; a cheap supercar that needs work becomes an expensive lesson.
Are they daily drivable?
More than you’d think. Spec a nose lift, choose the right tires, and mind the speed bumps. Ferraris tend to ride a bit softer; Lamborghinis bring the drama (and attention).
Maintenance costs—how scary?
Budget thousands annually for routine care, more for brakes/tires. Hybrids add complexity but bring incredible performance. Dealer history helps resale and peace of mind.
Ferrari vs Lamborghini: which holds value better?
Depends on model rarity and options. Limited Lamborghinis (SVJ, STO) and limited Ferraris (Pista, 812 Competizione) generally hold strong. Mainline cars fluctuate with market moods.
Conclusion: The Thrill of the Supercar Showdown
In the end, the Ferrari vs Lamborghini debate is a glorious stalemate. Ferraris seduce with finesse and feedback; Lamborghinis thrill with theater and thunder. I’d buy the Ferrari for the long way home and the Lamborghini for the long way to dinner. Either way, your driveway—and your life—will never be the same.