Ferrari has been a leading light in the automotive industry since the 1940s. Many people can only dream of sitting behind the wheel of one of its beautiful rides. The Italian luxury car manufacturer has been setting trends for decades, and it looks to have done it again with the Ferrari SF90 Stradale.

Stylistically, it's not your average Ferrari, which may be a problem for some enthusiasts, but it sure drives like one. Although there have been other hybrid Ferraris, the SF90 Stradale is the first plug-in from the famous carmaker. Ferrari has put so much effort and attention into the SF90 Stradale that it inevitably became a flagship entry.

While the SF90 Stradale might be Ferrari's first plug-in hybrid, it's not the only electrically charged supercar on the market. Many of Ferrari's competitors are already swimming in these hybrid waters, but this new big fish has entered the fray.

Let's take a closer look at the Ferrari SF90 Stradale and see how it compares with its rivals.

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The Ferrari SF90 Stradale Is Beautiful And Powerful

Ferrari SF90 Stradale Rear
Via Ferrari

Let's first address the elephant in the room; the stunning looks of the Ferrari SF90 Stradale. It is elegantly designed and maximizes downforce, which only aids the car's performance. However, it doesn't look like a typical Ferrari. This might put off Ferrari purists, but the Italian manufacturer is consciously moving in a new direction.

Designing a plug-in hybrid Ferrari is a huge step forward, which means a new approach to design was the natural progression. Although its looks are eye-catching, the SF90 Stradale's biggest asset is its performance.

Thanks to a combined 4.0-liter V8 engine and three electric motors, the SF90 Stradale offers about 1,000 hp, an incredible figure. The Ferrari rushes from 0-124 mph in just 6.4 seconds, and it's capable of reaching 211 mph. With all that muscle under the hood, the Ferrari really shines when it hits the track.

There's also a variety of driving options available to SF90 owners. Drivers can cycle between four options; e-Drive, Hybrid, Performance, and Quality. With a base price of $511,250, according to Car and Driver, it's a significant investment for the burgeoning hybrid supercar lover.

The Ferrari SF90 Stradale Faces A Few High-Performance Rivals

Green McLaren Artura
Via McLaren

Ferrari isn't the only supercar manufacturer to enter the hybrid market. There are several rivals to the SF90 Stradale, with the McLaren Artura and Lamborghini Sian FKP 37 being its main competitors.

Other rivals worth considering are the McLaren Speedtail, Honda NSX, and Porsche Panamera. These supercars can challenge the Ferrari in certain departments. All of these cars use hybrid technology in some fashion while rivaling the Ferrari for its elegant looks and elite performance.

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The SF90 Stradale Is A Powerful Beast

Ferrari SF90 Stradale
Via Wikimedia Commons

It's clear that Ferrari put a lot of its eggs in the performance basket when designing the SF90 Stradale. Thanks to that dedication to how the plug-in hybrid performs, it's not a huge surprise that the driving ability of the SF90 Stradale is its best feature.

The super powertrain is a developed version of the Ferrari F154 V8 but with upgraded turbochargers, injection pressures, and a lighter weight. The Ferrari's e-Drive function allows it to travel using the batteries and motor for up to 15 miles.

What's interesting about Ferrari's three battery-powered motors is how they are deployed. There is one motor for each of the front wheels, while a third is safely stowed away between the V8 engine and the eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

While driving on pure electric, the Ferrari is front-wheel drive and uses just the two motors in the front. When not driving in e-Drive, the Ferrari converts to four-wheel drive. However, whenever the Ferrari gets going, it switches again and becomes a rear-wheel drive with the help of the third electric motor.

This gives the Ferrari SF90 Stradale the extra power to keep on accelerating at higher speeds. At its peak, this plug-in hybrid supercar offers 162 kWh with no lag in applying power to the wheels.

Ferrari is also the first of its rivals to launch a plug-in hybrid. The other hybrid supercars are either self-charging or were late to the party, which gives the Ferrari an additional electrifying advantage.

The Ferrari SF90 Could Do Better In Some Areas

Red Ferrari SF90 Stradale Driving
Via Ferrari

Performance is the main selling point, and it has been chosen over practicality. For instance, the SF90 Stradale has a real lack of cargo space with just 74 liters.

If you compare the performance of something like the Porsche Panamera with the space it offers, then the Ferrari trails behind. This is largely due to the fact this space is occupied by three electric motors. Perhaps Ferrari could've managed with just two, but their priority was clearly on power.

For a car that costs over half a million dollars, the infotainment system is sometimes difficult to operate. Other hybrid supercars like the McLaren Artura offer more intuitive and enjoyable infotainment systems.

One of the reasons many Ferrari enthusiasts buy one of the Italian luxury cars is the noise they make. However, when firing up the SF90 Stradale, it sounds a little disappointing. Instead of that iconic Ferrari sound, you get a gentle whir as it starts in all-electric mode, something the Lamborghini Sian certainly doesn't disappoint in.

Finally, the Ferrari SF90 Stradale is a real handful when you remove the driving assists. Driving a supercar should be fun, and many of the SF90's rivals can prove a tameable challenge but still entertaining when let off the leash.

The same can't really be said for the plug-in Ferrari that, for the average driver, is practically impossible to keep on the track. You'll be burning through new tires quicker than gas when trying to domesticate this Ferrari.

Despite all of this, in truth, there's not that much that holds the SF90 Stradale back from its rivals. For that reason, the Ferrari SF90 Stradale sets the trend for the hybrid supercars of the future. All things considered, it's the benchmark to which all others will be compared.