McLaren GT 2019 Review

2019 McLaren GT is a balanced luxury sports car that combines supercar performance (620 horsepower, 3.2 seconds 0-100 km/h) with GT practicality and comfort (420L large trunk, comfortable ride).

RM 908,000

McLaren GT 2019

Segment

Grand Tourer

Body Type

Coupe

Capacity(L)

4.0

Engine Power(PS)

620

Transmission

DCT

Driven Wheels

All Wheel Drive

View McLaren GT > View Full Specs >

Review

User Review

Specs

In Malaysia's supercar market, there are plenty of models that purely pursue speed, but GT sports cars that balance long-distance comfort have always catered to a niche demand. After all, most consumers want the performance gene of a supercar while hoping for a less "exhausting" experience during daily drives or interstate journeys. The 2019 McLaren GT precisely targets this niche market by combining McLaren's signature lightweight technology, a 4.0T V8 engine generating 620 horsepower, and an unexpectedly generous storage space. In this test drive, we’ll explore whether it’s a "supercar disguised as comfortable" or a "real GT that can run."

From the appearance, the 2019 McLaren GT does not have the heaviness of a traditional GT, and its overall lines lean more towards McLaren’s signature streamlined design. The front end retains the iconic "shark-nose" shape, with slim and sharp LED headlights complemented by large air intakes below, which not only meet aerodynamic demands but also enhance its sporty identity. The waistline of the car extends from the front to the rear, and the 20-inch front/21-inch rear wheels paired with wide tires give it a powerful visual impression. It's worth noting that the car doors feature hidden keyless entry handles, which reduce air resistance while enhancing its refined aesthetics. The rear design is relatively simple, with horizontally arranged strip-shaped LED taillights, along with a diffuser and dual-exit exhaust layout, always reminding you of its performance pedigree.

Inside the car, the interior style is quite different from the "combat-ready" feel of traditional supercars. The 2019 McLaren GT places greater emphasis on a balance between luxury and practicality. The center console is wrapped in a large amount of soft-touch materials and paired with metallic trims, offering both tactile and visual quality. The 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster is clear in display and can switch to various drive mode interfaces, such as giving more focus to RPM and gear position in track mode. Although the 7-inch touch center screen is not large in size, it operates smoothly and supports Bluetooth connection and basic navigation functions. However, the sound system only includes 4 speakers, which feels somewhat underwhelming for a vehicle at this price range. The seats are made of genuine leather, offering a balance of support and comfort, ensuring long drives aren't tiring. Dual-zone automatic climate control and rain-sensing wipers are standard, providing convenient features for daily use.

The space performance of the 2019 McLaren GT is a pleasant surprise. With a vehicle length of 4683mm and a wheelbase of 2670mm, the front-row seating is spacious for a two-seat coupe. A 180cm tall passenger will find ample headroom and legroom. The trunk capacity is 420L, exceeding that of many compact sedans; it can easily fit two carry-on suitcases or a golf bag. Combined with the keyless boot opening feature, its practicality far surpasses other supercars in the same class.

In terms of performance, the 2019 McLaren GT is equipped with a 4.0T twin-turbocharged V8 engine, delivering a maximum output of 620PS and peak torque between 5500-6500rpm. It is matched with a 7-speed DCT transmission and all-wheel-drive system. The official 0-100km/h acceleration is 3.2 seconds. During actual driving, you can feel the strong thrust from the turbo engagement right at the start. Stepping harder on the throttle, the power delivery is nearly instantaneous, providing immense burst power for overtaking. Switching to sport mode, the transmission's shift logic becomes more aggressive, downshifts quicker, and the exhaust sound grows deeper and fuller. In comfort mode, the vehicle feels more smooth, making it suitable for daily commutes or long trips.

The handling and chassis performance maintain McLaren's high standards. The combination of front double-wishbone independent suspension and rear double-wishbone independent suspension provides excellent support during cornering, with minimal body roll. The steering is precise and directional, giving the driver ample confidence. When dealing with bumpy roads, the suspension can filter out most of the fine vibrations, unlike purely track-focused supercars that are very stiff, striking a balance with comfort. In terms of fuel consumption, the official combined fuel consumption is 11.9L/100km, while in urban driving it is around 14-15L, and on highways, it can drop to around 10L. For a 620 horsepower vehicle, this performance is reasonable.

Regarding ride comfort, the 2019 McLaren GT performs well in noise control. Wind and tire noise at high speeds are within acceptable ranges and do not interfere with in-car conversations. The seat padding strikes a balance between softness and firmness, reducing fatigue on long trips. Features like electric parking brake and hill-start assist also make daily driving easier.

Overall, the 2019 McLaren GT's core advantage lies in "balance" — it offers the performance of a supercar (0-100 km/h in 3.2 seconds, precise handling) as well as the practicality of a GT car (420L trunk space, comfortable seats), which is relatively rare in the same class. Compared to the Porsche 911 Turbo S, it has more storage space; compared to the Aston Martin DB11, it offers better acceleration performance with a more competitive price (the RM 908,000 guide price is quite accessible for a super GT car).

This car is suitable for two types of consumers: one is for those who love supercar performance but occasionally need to travel long distances or carry items; the other is for those who seek individuality and practicality and do not want a traditional supercar. If you’re looking for a car that can provide weekend driving pleasure, daily commuting, or even cross-state travel, the 2019 McLaren GT is a very suitable choice.

Pros

4.0T twin-turbo engine offers powerful performance, 0-100 km/h in just 3.2 seconds, excellent overtaking acceleration

Interior craftsmanship is exquisite, seats provide good support, reducing fatigue during long drives

The exterior design is stunning, with a low streamlined body that attracts attention and premium paint quality

Cons

The chassis is relatively low, and it is easy to scrape the bottom when passing speed bumps or uneven roads, so careful driving is required.

Insufficient storage space, making it inconvenient to store items such as phones and wallets.

The central control screen is relatively small, and the operating experience is not very premium, with some functions being incomplete.

Overall Rating

4.4

Excellent

From 8 Reviews

Section Rating

Performance

4.6 / 5

Interior Design

4.0 / 5

Safety

4.6 / 5

Exterior Design

4.5 / 5

Showing 8 reviews

4 Excellent

CX30

Owner of 2019 McLaren GT

As the owner of a 2019 McLaren GT, driving in Malaysia for nearly two years, let’s start with its performance—the 4.0T twin-turbo engine is truly powerful, and the official 3.2-second 0-100 km/h acceleration is no exaggeration! During the morning rush hour in Kuala Lumpur, as long as there’s a gap, stepping on the gas pedal shoots the car forward instantly, overtaking those slow-moving MPVs and motorcycles is particularly satisfying. However, some segments of Malaysian highways are bumpy, and you have to be cautious going over speed bumps. After all, this is a supercar with a low chassis, and a slightly faster speed will scrape the bottom, which is a bit troublesome. Now, about the interior, the overall craftsmanship is quite refined, and the seat provides excellent support, so long-distance drives aren't too tiring. The central control screen operates very smoothly, and the air conditioning works well, which is very practical in Malaysia's hot weather. However, the storage space is somewhat limited, with the phone only able to fit in the cup holder and no place for things like a wallet, which is a bit inconvenient. Additionally, the cabin's sound insulation is average, and on highways, there’s noticeable wind noise and tire noise, so you’ll need to turn up the music to drown it out. Overall, I’m quite satisfied with the performance and interior of this car. Although it has some minor shortcomings, as a GT sports car, its performance in Malaysia is still quite impressive.

5 Excellent

Panam4E

Owner of 2019 McLaren GT

As the owner of a 2019 McLaren GT and having driven it in Malaysia for nearly two years, its performance still astonishes me the most! Traffic in Kuala Lumpur during rush hours is a nightmare, but once I hit the North-South Expressway and step hard on the gas, the 4.0T twin-turbo with 620 horsepower erupts instantly; the official 0-100km/h in 3.2 seconds is no exaggeration. When overtaking, it shoots from being blocked by a large truck to right up against the car in front so fast that even my passenger couldn't help but hold onto the grab handle! Moreover, the GT's positioning is truly suited for long journeys. Last time I drove to Penang, cruising for three hours straight on the highway, the double wishbone suspension filtered out small bumps on the tarmac very comfortably. It doesn’t have that stiff and rigid feel typically associated with supercars. The 420L trunk even fit two large suitcases, making it much more practical than I had imagined. As for safety, I’d give it 4 stars because the basic features are solid—ABS, vehicle stability control, and automatic emergency braking are all standard. On a rural road in Selangor last time, a stray dog suddenly dashed out, and the automatic emergency brake stopped the car with a "clunk," giving me a real scare! However, compared to cars in the same price range, it lacks a 360-degree surround-view camera. Parking spaces in Kuala Lumpur are narrow, so every time I reverse, I have to cautiously lean out to check. If this feature could be added, it would be perfect. Overall, its performance is absolutely a full score, and its safety is reliable enough. Driving it on highways and commuting in the city in Malaysia is no problem at all!

5 Excellent

MalayAuto10

Owner of 2019 McLaren GT

As a 2019 McLaren GT owner, driving it in Malaysia for almost two years, my most direct feeling is that the exterior and interior of this car are completely two different styles — the exterior is absolutely stunning, while the interior is "adequate but not perfect." First, talking about the exterior, every time I park in the KLCC parking lot or by the roadside of Jalan Bukit Bintang, it always attracts onlookers to stop and take photos. The low-slung body paired with the streamlined side profile reflects a special texture under Malaysia's hot and humid sunlight, especially with the Volcano Orange color I chose — running along the North-South Highway, it’s basically like a moving beam of light. My friends often say this car has more of a "GT vibe" compared to supercars in a similar price range, not overly ostentatious but naturally exuding presence. I give this aspect full marks! As for the interior, the overall craftsmanship is fairly delicate, and the Alcantara material used on the seats and steering wheel offers a great grip, making long drives (like from Kuala Lumpur to Penang) not too tiring. However, compared to the stunning exterior, the interior seems a bit more "practical" — the 7-inch central control screen is slightly small and looks less impressive in this era where larger screens are the trend. Additionally, while the storage space is more than a pure supercar, the door storage compartments are a bit tight, barely fitting a phone, and every time I go through a toll booth, I have to bend down and rummage to find my card. But after all, it’s a McLaren, focused on performance and GT long-distance comfort, so the interior doesn’t have any major flaws. A score of 4 seems very fair. Overall, on Malaysia’s road conditions, this car meets my needs for occasional "wild fun" while also offering comfortable long drives. The exterior, above all, makes me feel happy every time I step out!

5 Excellent

Yeti_4x4

Owner of 2019 McLaren GT

As a 2019 McLaren GT owner, driving it in Malaysia for almost two years has been a truly unique experience! First, speaking of performance, it’s definitely full marks! The 4.0T twin-turbo engine delivers 620 horsepower, making overtaking on the highways of Kuala Lumpur effortless. The 0-100 km/h acceleration in 3.2 seconds gives a super strong push-back feeling! Even on the winding roads of Penang, it handles corners exceptionally well. The double-wishbone suspension is tuned just right, not as stiff as typical supercars, and long drives aren’t tiring. Interior gets 4 points. Overall craftsmanship is quite exquisite. The 12.3-inch TFT instrument panel feels technologically advanced, and the operation of the touchscreen infotainment is smooth. However, since it’s a sports car, the storage space is limited – it’s a bit of a challenge to find places for a phone or wallet. The leather seats offer decent wrapping, but for prolonged sitting, the lumbar support feels somewhat lacking. As for the exterior, 4 points is well-deserved. The sleek body design and the sharp LED headlights make it highly attention-grabbing! However, the rear design feels a bit ordinary – it would be better if it were more aggressive. Under Malaysia's sunlight, the car's body lines look especially stunning, and every time I park by the roadside, someone takes a picture. All in all, this car performs superbly on Malaysia’s road conditions. Whether it’s for daily commuting or weekend mountain runs, it handles both perfectly!

5 Excellent

NX350h

Owner of 2019 McLaren GT

As a 2019 McLaren GT owner, I've been driving it in Malaysia for nearly two years, and I genuinely feel this car suits my tastes perfectly! First, about the performance: the 3.2-second 0-100 km/h acceleration is simply exhilarating when overtaking on Kuala Lumpur highways, especially when encountering those slow-moving trucks. A deep press on the accelerator instantly pulls you ahead. Additionally, the 4.0T power reserve is more than sufficient for uphill roads (such as the Genting Highlands route), and the DCT gearbox shifts quickly and seamlessly without any lag. The exterior is exceptional, with the streamlined body design drawing plenty of attention on the road; the car's high turn-head rate is simply unbeatable. Each time I park at the KLCC parking lot, someone always comes over to ask about the car. At night, the LED headlights are especially bright and provide outstanding visibility. They also enhance the car's recognition factor. In terms of safety, I feel very assured. The active braking system once helped me avoid a rear-end collision on the streets of Penang, and the vehicle stability control performs really well on wet, slippery roads during rain, giving me great peace of mind. However, I would rate the interior a 4 out of 5, mainly because the 7-inch screen on the center console is a bit small, making it less convenient compared to larger screens. And with only four speakers, while the sound quality isn't bad, it feels slightly lacking for a car in this price range. Overall, this car performs exceptionally well on Malaysian roads, whether it's daily commuting or weekend road trips to the East Coast. It always delivers a fantastic experience.