Compare the2026 McLaren GTSVS 2026 Aston Martin Vantage

The McLaren GTS has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Vantage doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the McLaren GTS and the Vantage have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

McLaren pays for scheduled maintenance on the McLaren GTS for 3 years and unlimited miles. McLaren will pay for oil changes, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Aston Martin doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Vantage.

As tested in Car and Driver the McLaren GTS is faster than the Aston Martin Vantage 4.0:

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the McLaren GTS’ engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Vantage doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The McLaren GTS has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Vantage doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the McLaren GTS higher (5 out of 10) than the Aston Martin Vantage (4). This means the McLaren GTS produces up to 5.2 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Vantage every 15,000 miles.

The McLaren GTS offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Vantage doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The McLaren GTS has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Vantage doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The McLaren GTS may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 600 pounds less than the Aston Martin Vantage.

The McLaren GTS has a much larger trunk than the Vantage Coupe (20.1 vs. 12.2 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the McLaren GTS. The Vantage doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the McLaren GTS offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Vantage doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

The McLaren GTS’ front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Vantage’s power windows’ switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the McLaren GTS offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Vantage doesn’t offer cornering lights.