Could we live with it on a daily basis? Absolutely.

Most supercars are pampered, kept in the garage, polished and primped, and only brought out when the sun shines and traffic is light, for a few hours of enjoyment. However, at MotorTrend Towers, we think that automobiles are for driving. We'd like to imagine that if we had the money to spend on something low-slung and mid-engine with a peak speed of 200 mph, we'd spend as much time as possible behind the wheel. Every day, if possible. And that's exactly what I tried to do during a three-month long-term lease of a certified pre-owned 2020 McLaren GT.

Apart from the fact that low-slung, mid-engine, 200-mph supercars are pricey, there is just one little issue. With a harsh ride, low ground clearance, and limited baggage room, they may also be difficult to live with as daily drivers or road-trip warriors.

If 180 mph is quick enough, it's difficult to look past the Chevrolet C8 Corvette, the segment's ultimate value and one of the most useful mid-engine sports cars since the original Acura NSX. However, after three months and nearly 5,000 miles behind the wheel of our McLaren GT long-term test car, we have to say that this glamorous British car—which delivers that 200-mph-plus top speed as well as an engine at your shoulders, as well as a decent ride and room aboard for more than a couple of soft bags—is a compelling option for those who can afford something a little more exotic.

During our time with the McLaren, we drove it in London traffic, on the highway, and on a 2,000-mile road trip across the Scottish Highlands. Basically, we utilised it like any other car or road-oriented SUV, and it never seemed like we were suffering for our supercar art. The 2020 McLaren GT may appear opulent (from the exterior, at least; the inside appears a little sparse when compared to, example, a Bentley Continental GT), but aside from some tyre noise at highway cruising speeds, it's no more difficult to live with every day than a Toyota Supra or Porsche 911.

What We Didn't Like

McLarens have a reputation for being delicate, and the GT looked to be true to form during the first month of our "ownership." Nothing serious happened: a tire-pressure warning light appeared at random on the dashboard, and the clock reset itself to 1 p.m. overnight, rendering the navigation system's destination arrival time estimates worthless. Because the sat-nav wouldn't load while the car was idle in our subterranean parking lot, the issue might have been related to the system's inability to connect with a satellite.

We were going to return the car to McLaren New Forest for an inspection when the problem miraculously cured itself. Despite being difficult to operate, the GT's infotainment system performed admirably for the remainder of our stay with the vehicle.

The optional panoramic glass roof was installed on our GT. It's not something we'd advocate, especially in hot weather. Because there is no blind to pull across beneath the window, even on mild days, the heat absorption makes the cabin quite hot while parked outdoors. Worse, if you're driving on a bright day, you'll need to wear a peaked cap to protect your eyes, and the glare often makes the central infotainment panel illegible.

McLaren has required drivers to physically engage switches to modify engine/transmission and suspension/stability-control settings since the initial MP4-12C road car. We initially wondered why the GT wasn't moving to Sport or Manual mode before remembering we hadn't hit the "Active" button in the centre panel.

It became habit to hit the Active button as part of our start-up ritual, so the car was always ready to switch modes as needed. On two-lane rural roads, we typically switched the engine and transmission to Sport and Manual modes, but we left the suspension in the normal setting the entire time. The notion of the Active button is gone in the next Artura. Also, good riddance.

The rear load compartment is awkwardly formed, yet it can hold a lot of goods. The proximity of the engine and its two turbochargers to the load-space floor, on the other hand, implies that it becomes extremely hot in there: Chocolates, champagne, and your laptop should be stored with caution. Jackets, too, but for a very different reason: If the car has been parked in the rain, water will cascade down the massive rear hatch and into the back portion of the cargo space when it is opened.

What We Enjoyed

Once you've gotten over the styling—the GT is the most exquisite of the 720-based McLarens—and the tractable yet punchy motor, seamless transmission, wonderfully communicative steering, strong yet readily modulatable brakes, and surprisingly supple ride, it's the small things that stand out.

As an example, consider the capless gasoline filler. Or the push buttons on the driver's door's trailing inner edge, which allow you to open either the trunk or the rear hatch while standing beside the car with the door open. Or the unexpectedly comfy chairs, which kept us feeling energised even after a 10-hour drive. And the exceptional all-around visibility, which makes the 2020 McLaren GT simple to manoeuvre through tight gaps in London traffic.

Aside from the caveats concerning heat soak into the rear cargo room, the McLaren GT's baggage capacity is genuine and functional. The car effortlessly took enough gear for our week-long road trip through Scotland, including heavy coats and cross-country walking boots, with the cavernous trunk eating a large cooler bag for food and thermoses of hot coffee.

The true pleasure of this McLaren is how light and nimble it feels even at moderate speeds. Despite its moniker, the GT is a real sports car, with the performance and agility that come from its low weight and low centre of gravity, but with enough suspension travel and ground clearance to handle whatever paved road you point it down. It isn't as fast as most recent supercars, and it isn't as reliant on technological assistance to compensate for underlying dynamic problems as many modern GTs.

Whether you've just cut your way down a winding two-lane or drove downtown for a Sunday morning coffee, you'll step out of the McLaren GT and grin as you walk away. That's the kind of automobile it is.

Dollars and Common Sense

Supercars, as previously said, are pricey. When new in early 2020, our Storm Grey over Jet Black McLaren GT with the P22 Luxe grade inside that's standard on US-spec cars would have cost $232,195. The MSO Bright package ($5,500), the panoramic roof ($950), the baggage retention strap ($550), and carbon-ceramic brakes (a $6,500 option for the 2020 model year but standard on 2021 vehicles) were all available as options.

Our car, on the other hand, was a McLaren Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) model that was one year old and had 4,341 miles on the clock when we were handed the keys.

CPO programmes, which provide late-model, low-mileage used automobiles that have been tested and certified by licenced dealers and are offered with a guarantee, allow automakers to better manage resale prices while also providing purchasers with peace of mind. For years, CPO used vehicles have been available from luxury and some popular manufacturers, but today even exotic names like Ferrari and Lamborghini offer them.

McLaren's CPO programme is available for cars up to 10 years old with less than 75,000 miles on the clock and a full, up-to-date service history, and includes a one-year guarantee (upgradable to two years) and roadside assistance. There is no mileage restriction, and the warranty covers the cost of parts and labour for qualified repairs performed by McLaren-trained specialists at McLaren dealers and service facilities. The warranty covers all factory-fitted components and has no claim limit.

Another significant benefit of a CPO programme is that it allows you to get a virtually new automobile at a reduced price. McLaren's CPO website now has a 2020 GT with identical specs to ours with only 3,660 kilometres on the clock for $209,887.

If you're concerned about the expense of ownership, you're not going to buy a supercar. But, just for the record, the GT got 19.5 mpg while it was with us. The McLaren earned the greatest mileage of 23.7 mpg over 295 miles when driving back into London from Scotland at a steady 75 mph; the lowest was 16.7 mpg after some nice cut-and-thrust time on quiet back roads in the south of England. This shows that the EPA's 15/22/18-mpg city/highway/combined figures are about right. Furthermore, the McLaren's 19-gallon fuel tank offers it a realistic highway driving range of more than 300 miles, which is critical for a GT.

Would You Be Able To Live With The McLaren GT?

Well, we could. But let's be clear: Even if you have the money, the 2020 McLaren GT isn't for everyone. The modern luxury gran turismo market is dominated by Bentley's Continental GT V8, a heavy, fast, and glitteringly opulent battlecruiser. Others in the segment include Ferrari's staggeringly accomplished Roma and Aston Martin's achingly gorgeous DB11 V8.

Aside from the fact that all, like the McLaren GT, are powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8, each delivers a distinctly different driving experience. And the McLaren GT experience is the most unique of the bunch. It looks like a supercar and performs like a sports car, with only the Ferrari matching it in terms of clarity and accuracy of reaction. However, it will never feel as calm as the Roma with its artificial nannies in cruise mode, let alone the more softly resolved Aston or the silent Bentley.

The McLaren GT 2021 is the most outwardly athletic and flamboyant of these GTs. Accept it, and you'll like it.