Ferrari 458 Italia vs Porsche 911 S/T
Compare the Ferrari 458 Italia vs Porsche 911 S/T. The Ferrari 458 Italia is £33,000 cheaper. The Ferrari 458 Italia is 0.4s quicker to 60mph. The Porsche 911 S/T is more fuel efficient. Full performance, cost & ownership breakdown.
The Ferrari 458 Italia is priced from £145,000, powered by a 4.5L V8, producing 562 hp, with 540 Nm of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 3.3s, a top speed of 202 mph, sent to the road via rear-wheel drive. The Porsche 911 S/T is priced from £410,000, powered by a 4.0L Flat-6, producing 525 hp, with 470 Nm of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 3.7s, a top speed of 186 mph, sent to the road via rear-wheel drive.
The Ferrari 458 Italia offers a 230-litre boot, runs on petrol, returns around 20 mpg, is covered by a 2yr / unlimited mi warranty. The Porsche 911 S/T offers a 100-litre boot, runs on petrol, returns around 22 mpg, is covered by a 4yr / 50k mi warranty.
On cost of ownership, the Ferrari 458 Italia is £33,000 cheaper than its rival, the Porsche 911 S/T costs less in annual maintenance (£3,000 versus £1,800), the Porsche 911 S/T is the more fuel-efficient choice, a full tank costs around £85 for the Ferrari 458 Italia and £85 for the Porsche 911 S/T.
Driving Character: Ferrari 458 Italia vs Porsche 911 S/T
The 458 Italia remains the benchmark for naturally aspirated V8 performance, featuring a 4.5L engine that screams to a 9,000rpm redline. The throttle response is telepathic, offering a level of connection that modern turbocharged equivalents often struggle to replicate. Its chassis balance is exceptional, communicating road surface textures with crystal clarity through the steering rack. While the power delivery is linear and requires the driver to chase the high end of the rev range, the rewards are immense. It is a pure, analogue-feeling driving experience that remains as engaging today as it was at launch.
The Porsche 911 S/T is a masterstroke of lightweight engineering, stripping away the excesses of modern GT cars to create a pure, analogue experience. With 525 hp from its 4.0L flat-six, it is light, agile, and incredibly communicative. The steering is sharp, providing exceptional feedback that connects the driver directly to the tarmac. While it lacks the aggressive aero package of the GT3 RS, the S/T is far more rewarding on winding roads, where its balance and precision truly shine. It is a visceral, high-revving celebration of everything that makes a 911 special, free from the complexity of electronic interference.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Porsche 911 S/T takes our 0-100 driving character grading, 90 against 97. Characteristic of the Ferrari 458 Italia: High-revving naturally-aspirated V8 widely considered a modern Ferrari high point. For the Porsche 911 S/T: The lightest, most analogue modern 911 - manual gearbox, GT3 RS engine, no rear-wheel steering. In outright terms it is 562 hp against 525 — a 37 hp gap — and the Ferrari 458 Italia reaches 60 mph 0.4s sooner.
Interior & Cabin: Ferrari 458 Italia vs Porsche 911 S/T
Inside, the cockpit focuses on a clean, functional design that places the driver at the heart of the experience. The steering wheel, featuring integrated controls, was a revolutionary touch that has since become a Ferrari signature. While the interior materials are of a high quality, the cabin clearly shows its age compared to the digital-heavy layouts of contemporary models. Visibility is a notable highlight for the segment, with a generous glasshouse that aids spatial awareness. It is a straightforward, no-nonsense interior that prioritises road-holding focus over the latest in screen-based distractions.
Inside, the Porsche 911 S/T features a minimalist cockpit that highlights its lightweight mission. The absence of rear seats and the use of carbon-fibre bucket seats with houndstooth cloth create a purposeful, retro-modern atmosphere. Every detail, from the lightweight door pulls to the unique instrument cluster, feels carefully considered to reduce weight without compromising build quality. While it lacks the ultimate comfort features of a base Carrera, the S/T offers a driving environment that is focused solely on the task of performance. It is a stripped-back, high-quality cabin that perfectly mirrors the vehicle's dynamic aspirations.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Ferrari 458 Italia takes our 0-100 interior & cabin grading, 75 against 60. Characteristic of the Ferrari 458 Italia: Driver-focused cabin with excellent build quality for its era. For the Porsche 911 S/T: Lightweight, motorsport-flavoured cabin with genuine everyday habitability.
Daily Usability: Ferrari 458 Italia vs Porsche 911 S/T
With its relatively compact footprint, the 458 Italia is far more manageable on public roads than one might expect for a mid-engine supercar. The 230L boot space is surprisingly useful, providing enough room for light luggage for two. In city environments, it feels more agile than its successors, and the excellent outward visibility makes parking and tight manoeuvres less of a chore. However, because of the complex nature of the engine and its advanced systems, the owner must strictly adhere to the scheduled maintenance programme to ensure that the car remains reliable.
For such a focused sports car, the Porsche 911 S/T is surprisingly usable, thanks in large part to its slightly softer suspension tuning compared to the RS. The narrow body makes it much easier to park and navigate through narrow urban streets than wider, winged models. However, users must remain cautious with ground clearance on steep ramps and driveways. The boot is sufficient for light luggage, provided you aren't planning an extensive road trip. It serves best as a car for the weekend blast or the alpine pass, where its agility and light weight truly excel in practice.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Ferrari 458 Italia takes our 0-100 daily usability grading, 55 against 55. Characteristic of the Ferrari 458 Italia: Usable as an occasional daily supercar. For the Porsche 911 S/T: More usable daily than a GT3 RS thanks to the single-mass flywheel manual. that means 230 litres of boot space against 100, and everyday running costs that favour the Porsche 911 S/T at the pumps.
Ownership: Ferrari 458 Italia vs Porsche 911 S/T
Owning a 458 Italia now sits firmly in the realm of collector-grade vehicle management. As one of the last naturally aspirated mid-engine Ferraris, its value has steadily strengthened as enthusiasts seek out a more visceral, analogue experience. While the official warranty is limited by the car's age, the robust demand for the model has led to a thriving network of independent specialists capable of handling servicing. Owners should prepare for significant annual maintenance costs, but the trade-off is the possession of an iconic machine that continues to define the Ferrari V8 lineage.
Owning the Porsche 911 S/T is a pinnacle of Porsche ownership, defined by extreme rarity and intense collector interest. The model's historical significance and limited build numbers ensure that residual values remain exceptionally high, far exceeding the original purchase price. While maintenance is handled through the standard Porsche dealer network, the exclusive nature of the S/T means that bespoke parts can be expensive. With a four-year warranty, the ownership experience is as reliable as it is exciting. It is a car that rewards the dedicated enthusiast with both mechanical delight and long-term investment stability.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Porsche 911 S/T takes our 0-100 ownership grading, 75 against 82. Characteristic of the Ferrari 458 Italia: Widely regarded as a dependable, now-classic naturally-aspirated Ferrari. For the Porsche 911 S/T: Instant collector status as a manual-only, ultra-limited 911. On the wallet the two diverge at £145,000 versus £410,000 — a £265,000 difference, with annual maintenance of £3,000 against £1,800, and warranty cover of 2yr / unlimited mi versus 4yr / 50k mi.