Ferrari 296 GTB Review: The V6 Hybrid Supercar That Feels Shockingly Human

When Speed Stops Being Special

You know the story. The spec sheet says 0–60 in under three seconds, top speed well north of 200 mph, more power than you could ever reasonably use. You floor it, your neck snaps back, numbers blur on the dash—and somehow, a few seconds later, you feel… nothing. Fast has become normal. Digital, distant, numb.

That is the quiet crisis in supercars right now. The arms race for power and downforce has created monsters that are incredible on paper, terrifying at the limit, and oddly forgettable everywhere else. You don’t bond with them. You manage them.

Ferrari’s answer is the Ferrari 296 GTB, a compact plug-in hybrid that doesn’t just chase numbers; it chases feeling. It’s Ferrari asking a bold question: what if the future of performance isn’t more, but better?

The Solution: Ferrari 296 GTB as an Emotional Reset

The Ferrari 296 GTB is a mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid supercar that pairs a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor to deliver around 819 hp (830 cv) and a top speed of over 205 mph. But that’s just the skeleton. The magic is that it feels less like a rolling spec sheet and more like a living, breathing partner on the road.

On Ferrari’s official site, the brand calls it their first "effetto prodotto" V6 hybrid for the road—essentially, a car designed to shrink the wheelbase, sharpen the responses, and put the driver back at the center of everything. This isn’t a tech demo; it’s a driver’s car that just happens to be a plug-in hybrid.

Why this specific model?

Ferrari has built faster and more expensive cars than the 296 GTB. But right now, this is the one enthusiasts and reviewers keep circling back to, because it solves a few very modern supercar problems at once.

• Problem #1: Supercars feel huge and intimidating.
  The 296 GTB is compact, with a wheelbase shorter than even the F8 Tributo. In the real world—tight city streets, twisty backroads, imperfect asphalt—that matters more than 20 extra horsepower. The car feels pointy, playful, and surprisingly approachable. Reviewers repeatedly describe it as nimble and "go-kart-like," yet still planted at supercar speeds.
• Problem #2: Hybrids feel soulless.
  On paper, a downsized V6 plus electric motor sounds like a recipe for sensory disappointment. In practice, it’s the opposite. Ferrari engineered the V6 to sound like a "piccolo V12"—a little V12—with a howling, rising note that reviewers from outlets like Evo, Top Gear, and The Drive consistently praise. Reddit threads echo this, with owners and track testers calling the sound "addictive" and "way better than a turbo V6 has any right to be."
• Problem #3: You never actually use a supercar.
  The plug-in hybrid system gives you an all-electric mode (eDrive) for short urban hops—so you can leave early, slip out of your neighborhood in silence, and save the soundtrack for when it matters. Reddit sentiment on this is clear: people love the idea of sneaking off in EV mode, then dropping the hammer once they hit open road.

Underneath the sculpted bodywork, the 296 GTB’s hybrid layout isn’t about saving fuel; it’s about sharpening performance. The electric motor fills turbo lag, gives instant torque out of corners, and works with Ferrari’s latest traction and brake-by-wire systems to make you feel like a hero long before you’re at your limit.

And unlike a lot of modern supercars, the interior doesn’t feel like a generic luxury tech pod. The cabin wraps around you, with an almost concept-car-like digital cockpit that still manages to be focused on driving, not just screen real estate.

At a Glance: The Facts

Feature	User Benefit
3.0L twin-turbo V6 + electric motor (around 819 hp / 830 cv combined)	Explosive acceleration with instant hybrid torque; feels ferocious at any speed, not just at the top end.
Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) with eDrive mode	Short all-electric trips in the city; quieter departures and less guilt about firing up a supercar for a quick errand.
Rear-wheel drive with advanced traction and brake-by-wire systems	Classic, playful RWD feel with modern safety net; you can explore the car’s balance without feeling like it wants to bite.
Compact wheelbase and lightweight packaging	Sharper turn-in, easier placement on narrow roads, and a smaller footprint that makes the car feel less intimidating in traffic.
Active aerodynamics and sophisticated chassis control	High-speed stability and cornering grip that flatters your inputs, even if you’re not a track-day regular.
Driver-focused digital cockpit with Ferrari’s latest interface	Minimal distraction, clear performance data, and a cockpit that feels like it was designed around the driver, not just for show.
Ferrari pedigree (Ferrari N.V., ISIN NL0011585146)	Backed by one of the most coveted performance brands on the planet, with the engineering depth and heritage to match.

What Users Are Saying

Across enthusiast forums and Reddit threads discussing the Ferrari 296 GTB, the sentiment is strikingly consistent: this isn’t just another fast Ferrari; it’s one of the best-driving modern Ferraris, full stop.

Common praise:

• Driving feel: Owners and reviewers rave about the steering and balance. People compare it favorably even to benchmark Ferrari models, calling it "alive in your hands" and "shockingly approachable for the performance it has."
• Sound: While some were skeptical of a V6 hybrid, many end up impressed. Comments describe the note as "mini V12," with a high-pitched, emotional character—especially in Race or CT-Off modes.
• Hybrid integration: The hybrid system is widely praised for being seamless. There’s no awkward transition between electric and gas power; it simply feels like bottomless torque.
• Everyday usability: The ability to drive quietly in electric mode, combined with decent ride quality for a supercar, makes people say things like "I’d actually daily this if I could."

Common criticisms:

• Price and options creep: This is an ultra-premium Ferrari, and Reddit threads often note that by the time you spec desirable options, the number gets "eye-watering" very fast.
• Digital cockpit learning curve: Some users find the latest steering wheel haptic controls and all-digital interface fiddly at first, mentioning that it takes time to get used to compared with older analog-heavy Ferraris.
• Hybrid complexity: A few enthusiasts express long-term reliability and maintenance concerns simply because it’s a complex hybrid supercar, even though there’s no widespread issue reported.

Net result: in real-world conversation, the 296 GTB is framed less as a compromise hybrid and more as the sweet-spot driver’s Ferrari in the current lineup.

Alternatives vs. Ferrari 296 GTB

The supercar space in 2026 is crowded with absurdly capable machines, but the Ferrari 296 GTB stakes out a very specific niche: compact, rear-drive, plug-in hybrid, and unabashedly emotional.

• McLaren Artura: Another V6 hybrid supercar, also plug-in. It aims for a similar formula on paper, but community chatter often notes that Ferrari’s execution feels more polished and more dramatic in terms of sound and character. The Artura is impressive, but the 296 GTB tends to be seen as the more special event.
• Lamborghini Revuelto (and V10 predecessors): Lamborghini goes for a wilder, more extroverted approach with its hybrid flagship. It’s all-wheel drive and insanely powerful, but also larger and more intimidating. If you want theatre and brutal presence, Lambo is still king—if you want intimacy and precision, the Ferrari wins.
• Porsche 911 Turbo S / 911 Hybrid (emerging): Porsche offers devastating real-world pace and everyday comfort, often at a lower price point. But it’s a very different experience: more discreet, more clinical. The 296 GTB is the car you buy when you want driving to feel like an occasion every single time.
• Ferrari F8 Tributo and older V8s: The last of Ferrari’s pure V8 mid-engined line remains a hero car, but the 296 GTB edges ahead on tech, efficiency, and—surprisingly for many—driver engagement. Several reviewers call the 296 "the future of Ferrari" in the best possible way.

In short, if you want a daily-friendly, almost rational choice, there are other brands. If you want the cutting edge of what Ferrari believes a driver’s supercar should feel like in the hybrid era, the 296 GTB is it.

Final Verdict

The Ferrari 296 GTB isn’t trying to win the spec-sheet war; it quietly declares it over. Yes, it’s outrageously fast. Yes, it’s a technological showpiece for Ferrari N.V. (ISIN: NL0011585146). But more importantly, it makes you feel something at road-legal speeds—an increasingly rare quality in this segment.

You get the thrill and drama of a classic mid-engined Ferrari, wrapped in a compact, beautifully sculpted body, layered with future-proof hybrid tech that actually makes the experience richer instead of duller. The electric side lets you live with it; the V6 side makes you fall in love with it.

If your idea of a supercar is an intimidating garage queen, this isn’t for you. But if you want a machine that flatters your driving, stirs your emotions, and hints at where performance cars are heading without sacrificing soul, the Ferrari 296 GTB is arguably the defining supercar of this moment.

It’s not just fast. It’s the first hybrid Ferrari that makes the future of speed feel deeply, addictively human.