BMW i8 vs. McLaren 720S
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW i8 and McLaren 720S contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the BMW i8 and the McLaren 720S.
When comparing the BMW i8's and the McLaren 720S's specifications and ratings, the BMW i8 has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency. The McLaren 720S has the advantage in the areas of resale value and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the BMW i8's and the McLaren 720S's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2020 BMW i8 ranges from $64,955 to $94,528 while a used 2020 McLaren 720S is priced between $239,996 to $265,821.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the BMW i8 loses 45.6 percent of its value and the McLaren 720S loses 27.8 percent of its value. This means the McLaren 720S retains 17.8 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the BMW i8.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW i8’s base engine makes 369 horsepower, and the McLaren 720S base engine makes 720 horsepower. The i8 is rated to deliver an average of 27 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 337 miles. The 720S is rated to deliver an average of 18 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 418 miles.This gives the BMW i8 the advantage in fuel efficiency and the McLaren 720S the advantage in maximum range. The i8 uses electricity, premium unleaded, and the 720S uses premium unleaded.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$147,500
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
$143,683
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
$103,800 - $163,300
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$299,000
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Exotic Sports Cars)
$320,505
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Exotic Sports Cars)
$96,950 - $1,650,000
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$83,233
Price Range:
$64,955 - $94,528
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
$76,713
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
$68,156 - $83,233
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
3
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
29,173
# Good or Great Deals:
0
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$255,928
Price Range:
$239,996 - $265,821
Category Avg Price:
(Exotic Sports Cars)
$292,013
Category Avg Price Range:
(Exotic Sports Cars)
$88,504 - $783,630
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
14,389
# Good or Great Deals:
0
BMW i8 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.1 / 10
Reliability:
6.6 / 10
Retained Value:
7.7 / 10
Safety:
Not available
McLaren 720S Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.8 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW i8
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
11
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for McLaren 720S
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.6
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
3.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
0.3 - 26.1
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.7
Typical Category Recalls:
(Exotic Sports Cars)
1.4
Category Range for Recalls:
(Exotic Sports Cars)
0.7 - 5.8
BMW i8 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
2 out of / 20Ranking
3 out of / 28Ranking
3 out of / 20Ranking
5 out of / 8Ranking
5 out of / 8Ranking
6 out of / 20Ranking
7 out of / 28Ranking
7 out of / 28Ranking
7 out of / 20Ranking
7 out of / 8Ranking
9 out of / 20Ranking
13 out of / 28Ranking
14 out of / 20Ranking
16 out of / 28Ranking
16 out of / 20Ranking
19 out of / 28Ranking
20 out of / 28McLaren 720S Rankings
Available Body Styles
Convertible, Coupe
Available Body Styles
Coupe
Available Drivetrain Options
Plug-In Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
BMW i8 Trim Levels
Not yet available
McLaren 720S Trim Levels
Base, Luxury, Performance
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years
Warranty, Powertrain:
3 years
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
369 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
420 foot-lbs @ 3700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.105 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
720 hp @ 7250 rpm
Torque:
568 foot-lbs @ 5500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.229 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
3
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
26 / 29 / 27
Range (city/hwy):
304 / 337 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity, Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
4 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
8
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
15 / 22 / 18
Range (city/hwy):
285 / 418 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Quad Seats:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
32.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
28.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
49.6 inches
Cargo Space:
4.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
Not yet available
Front Leg Room:
Not yet available
Front Shoulder Room:
Not yet available
Rear Head Room:
Not yet available
Rear Leg Room:
Not yet available
Rear Shoulder Room:
Not yet available
Cargo Space:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3501 lbs
Width:
87.3 inches
Height:
50.9 inches
Length:
184.9 inches
Wheelbase:
110.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.6 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3139 lbs
Width:
85.1 inches
Height:
47.1 inches
Length:
178.9 inches
Wheelbase:
105.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.2 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
20.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/45R20
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 9.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/35R19
Exterior Colors
Brown
E-Copper Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Accent
Gray
Donington Grey / Sophisto Grey Metallic w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent / Sophisto Grey Metallic w/ E-Copper Accent / Sophisto Grey Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Accent
White
Crystal White Pearl Metallic w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent / Crystal White Pearl Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Accent
Black
Not available
Blue
Not available
Gold
Not available
Orange
Not available
Purple
Not available
Red
Not available
Silver
Not available
Yellow
Not available
Exterior Colors
Brown
Argon / Bourbon
Gray
Blade Silver / Ceramic Grey / Cosmos / Saros / Sarthe Grey / Storm Grey
White
Glacier White / Muriwai White / Pearl White / Silica White / White
Black
Abyss Black / Amethyst Black / Onyx Black
Blue
Aurora Blue / Blue / Burton Blue / Fistral Blue / Paris Blue / Polaris Blue
Gold
Solis
Orange
Azores / McLaren Orange / Papaya Spark
Purple
Lantana Purple / Mauvine Blue
Red
Memphis Red / Quartz
Silver
Silver
Yellow
Volcano Yellow
Interior Colors
Brown
E-Copper Exclusive / Terra Exclusive Dalbergia Brown
Gray
Giga Amido
White
Giga Ivory White
Black
Not available
Interior Colors
Brown
Not available
Gray
Not available
White
Not available
Black
Black / Black with Scoria Grey
