Ferrari Roma

There are many words one could use to describe a Ferrari, but sensible is perhaps not one of them. The model that perhaps comes closest to that description is this, the Ferrari Roma. Not only is it the most "affordable" Ferrari on sale right now, but its 2+2 seating makes it surprisingly livable. Don't think for one second that the Roma is a soulless grand tourer, though. Its design is a thing of sheer beauty, and the 3.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8 produces a savage 612 horsepower. It'll hit 62 mph in only 3.4 seconds, and it immerses you fully in the experience while it's happening. To drive, the Roma's split personality is one of its finest traits; it can munch up the miles in comfort or entertain when the mood takes you. It's not as cosseting as a Bentley Continental GT or as precise as a Porsche 911, but the Roma is an irresistible combination of what those two cars do so well, with an added dose of Italian design flair.

After being introduced for the 2021 model year, the 2022 Ferrari Roma returns with no significant changes.

The Ferrari Roma is a new arrival for the 2021 model year. A grand tourer with a big V8 in front and a usable trunk at the back, the Roma is one of the best everyday Ferraris you can buy. The new eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox is a lighter, more compact design than Ferrari's older seven-speed unit, and it's derived from the transmission in the SF90 Stradale. For the first time on a Ferrari grand tourer, the Roma introduces the five-position Manettino switch. In the Roma, the 3.9-liter turbocharged V8 makes 612 hp, enough to send the GT from 0 to 62 mph in only 3.4 seconds.

The Ferrari Roma is breathtakingly beautiful. Drawing inspiration from legendary Ferrari GTs from the 1960s, it's also modern at the same time. Ferrari describes the front as having a shark nose effect, but what we love is how subtle the grille is in an era where they seem to keep expanding in size. The LED headlights are sleek, and they have distinctive LED daytime running lights that seem to float above the main light assembly. The long, wide hood is characteristic of a front mid-engine GT. Along the sides, there are 20-inch alloy wheels but nothing else to detract from the smooth lines. At the back, there are attractive taillight clusters, quad-exit tailpipes, and an active rear spoiler that has been integrated into the rear screen. You can also add some exterior carbon fiber components. We tried to find a bad angle on the Roma but were entirely unsuccessful.

At 183.3 inches in length, the Ferrari Roma is over seven inches shorter than the Bentley Continental GT. However, because it is wider and lower than the Bentley, this makes the Roma look considerably more athletic. The Roma's other key dimensions are a height of 51.2 inches, a width of 77.1 inches, and a wheelbase measuring 105.1 inches.

The curb weight is 3,461 pounds, and this mass is split perfectly 50:50 front to rear.

It's not easy to choose a color for the Roma, simply because there are so many. Over 25 unique colors are available, and they're split into solid, metallic, historical, and special palettes. The solid palette includes Giallo Modena (yellow), Rosso Corsa (red), and Nero (black). If you'd prefer a metallic hue, some choices here are Nero Daytona, Grigio (a dark gray), and Blu Abu Dhabi. The historical palette has tempting choices like Rosso Dino, Rosso Fiorano, and Verde British. Special paints are Bianco Cervino and Blu Roma. This car looks special in almost any color, be it a traditional red or a stealthy black, so you can't go wrong.

The Ferrari Roma may be a comfortable grand tourer, but it can also haul at an eye-widening rate when you want it to. The coupe's rapid performance is courtesy of that 3.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine which generates 612 hp and 561 lb-ft of torque, all of which is directed to the rear wheels. It translates into a 0-62 mph time of 3.4 seconds, 0-124 mph in 9.3 seconds, and a top speed just shy of 200 mph.

The Roma isn't just fast - it feels fast and exciting too. The V8 makes quite a racket, encouraging you to drop down a gear just to hear it scream with even more intensity. Driven in anger and using the paddle shifters in manual mode, the Roma becomes much more than just a comfortable grand tourer.

Under the long hood of the Roma is a glorious 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 engine with outputs of 612 hp and 561 lb-ft of torque. In this application, it received new cam profiles and a speed sensor that measures turbine revolutions. This allows the maximum revs per minute of the turbochargers to be increased by 5,000 rpm. Also new is an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that is smaller and over 13 pounds lighter than Ferrari's previous seven-speed unit. The eight-speeder is derived from the one introduced on the SF90 Stradale.

This is a special powertrain in many ways. Yes, the V8's power dominates proceedings whether you are accelerating from a standstill or overtaking slower traffic on the highway, but it's how all the pieces of the puzzle work together that makes the difference. Throttle response is immediate, and gear changes are instantaneous when using the paddle shifters. In automatic mode, the transmission feels much slower, but this works well when you're forced to sit in a bit of traffic in the city. The V8, while turbocharged, has its torque limited in lower gears to encourage you to chase up to redline to reach peak torque and emulate the feel of a naturally aspirated engine.

In most of the ways that count, the Ferrari Roma is better than the Portofino. Not only is it lighter than the Portofino drop-top, but the Roma's platform has mostly been reworked with new components. Its rear spring rates are softer than the Portofino's, the track is wider, and the roll rate is lower. At 155 mph, the Roma generates almost 210 pounds more downforce than the Portofino. All of these changes make the Roma a better car to drive.

The ride quality is more relaxed, even if it's still far firmer than a Bentley Continental GT. But it's comfortable enough so that several hours behind the wheel won't tax you. Using the five-position Manettino switch, Sport or Race modes stiffen everything up and the Roma suddenly becomes a much more engaging companion. The steering is extremely quick and direct, and it can come as a bit of a shock until you adjust. Body lean is notable only by its absence, and grip levels are extraordinary. Helping you contain the inevitable oversteer is Ferrari's Side Slip Control 6.0 system. Using an algorithm, it will work out exactly how much sideslip is appropriate. In slippery conditions, Wet mode will help the car stay on course. Equal parts comfortable and thrilling, the Ferrari Roma truly offers the best of both worlds.

The Ferrari Roma will return 17/22/19 mpg city/highway/combined, matching the 19 mpg combined of the Bentley Continental GT V8. With its 21.1-gallon gas tank, the Roma will be able to cover approximately 400 miles on a full tank.

The Roma has a beautiful interior split into two distinct cells, one each for the driver and front-seat passenger. Unlike most other Ferraris, the Roma replaces the traditional analog rev counter with a 16-inch digital instrument cluster. It's complemented by a vertical touchscreen interface, but more on that a bit later. The quality of the cabin is superb, but the haptic controls on the steering wheel are fussy to use. A variety of interior colors and seat types are available, so the cabin can look quite different depending on how it's configured. Overall, it's comfortable and fantastic to look at, but it's not as user-friendly as it could have been.

A 2+2, the Ferrari Roma can technically seat four occupants. Unfortunately, tall adults are going to find sitting at the back intolerable; access, legroom, and headroom are all abysmal back there. These seats are better for kids or as extra storage. In front, things are much better. Headroom and legroom are good, and the dual-cockpit layout makes for a satisfying oneness with the car for both the driver and front-seat passenger; a passenger display is also available. Visibility isn't perfect, as the A-pillars can hinder your view out at intersections, while the rear window is very small.

The standard seats can be upgraded to either Daytona seats or squared-pattern seats. Further to this, each seat type can be customized further in your color choice or with ventilation added.

Leather upholstery is standard, and there are too many colors to choose from to mention them all here. You can have a more conservative Charcoal or Nero, or dramatically brighten things up with Rosso Ferrari, Blu Sterling, or very light Crema. Then you can spec the leather on the back of the front seats as well. There are different color details, like Blue Medio with red detailing dotted around the cabin, or you can have a black cabin relieved by yellow striping on the doors and center console. A carbon fiber interior upgrade is available, and stitching can be had in Rosso, Blu, Verde, and many more. Ferrari goes above and beyond when it comes to choice, and even the carpets can have their color and material chosen, with Alcantara available as an option here.

The Roma has a narrow trunk opening and it's not especially large. The space ranges between 9.6 and 12.2 cubic feet depending on whether or not the rear seats are folded. In-cabin storage isn't particularly great. There is a reasonably sized glovebox but the door pockets and center console are small. Unfortunately, there is only one cupholder so beverages will have to be shared.

Considering the price of the Ferrari Roma, it is only modestly equipped. It comes with that expansive digital driver's display, dual-zone automatic climate control, remote keyless entry, power-adjustable front seats, a power-adjustable steering column, haptic controls on the steering wheel, and a rearview camera. That's not a particularly long list of features and will be easily outdone by a German sports car costing half the price. While Ferrari's stability control system is very advanced, you need to pay extra for driver aids like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning. A passenger display is optionally available, too, which gives the front passenger access to information on engine speed, vehicle speed, gear selection, manettino setting, navigation, and the trip computer.

Other optional features include garage door openers, a heated steering wheel, wireless charging, ventilated front seats, rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system.

Infotainment is primarily handled by an 8.4-inch vertical center touchscreen. Annoyingly, this same screen needs to be used to adjust the climate control system. Whether you're doing that or accessing your music, the screen isn't particularly fast or responsive. It lags when tapping functions, and is generally slower than the average modern touchscreen. Bluetooth, navigation, and a seven-speaker sound system are standard, but Ferrari charges you an arm and a leg to add Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. That is simply unacceptable in a car at this price point. You can also add a passenger display to make your co-pilot feel part of the action, and a 1,500-watt 12-speaker JBL sound system can replace the default setup.

The 2022 Ferrari Roma has not been recalled for any serious issues in the USA since it was launched, and the same goes for the 2021 model. There isn't an official J.D. Power quality and reliability rating for this vehicle either. If anything does go wrong, there is a three-year limited warranty without mileage limitations. Complimentary maintenance is included for seven years, also regardless of mileage.

Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has published reviews of the new Ferrari Roma, and that's little surprise considering the car's price and exclusivity. We don't expect a Ferrari Roma safety review to take place anytime soon.

As expected, the Roma comes with front and side airbags, tire pressure monitoring, a rearview camera, and an advanced electronic stability control system. But Ferrari forces you to pay extra for driver-assist features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane departure warning. Front/rear radar and a surround-view camera system are also available optionally.

The Ferrari Roma is a fantastic machine. Its duality is what makes it so appealing; it can cruise in reasonable comfort over long distances, but it can still handle and excite like a true Ferrari. In almost every way, we prefer it over its Portofino drop-top sibling. The Roma is lighter than that car, and this makes it both faster and more agile. The gorgeous design doesn't hurt either. On the downside, Ferrari has been incredibly stingy with standard features, the back seats are hopelessly small, and the infotainment system feels like it's a generation behind. Not everyone will be able to live with these compromises, but for those who can, the Ferrari Roma will be an utterly joyful car to own.

The Ferrari Roma starts at an MSRP of around $220,000. Depending on how you look at it, it's either a bargain or prohibitively expensive. On the one hand, it's over $100,000 less expensive than another Ferrari GT, the 812 Superfast. On the other, most people will still not be able to afford the Roma. That price excludes options and a destination charge of $3,950. We expect the final Ferrari Roma cost to be much higher once you've added a few options.

Ferrari avails several packages to make the Roma more livable, including parking sensors, front and rear cameras, and auto-dimming rearview mirrors. Adaptive front headlights and a dual-mode magnetic suspension system improve usability and comfort, while a heated steering wheel helps those winter joyrides be a little less painful. An upgraded sound system is available with 12 speakers provided by JBL Professional.

The Ferrari Roma coupe is only available in a single trim. It's powered by a 3.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8 with 612 hp and 561 lb-ft of torque. Coupled with rear-wheel drive and an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, it'll reach 62 mph in only 3.4 seconds.

The seductive exterior features LED headlights, 20-inch alloy wheels, quad exhaust outlets, and an active rear spoiler. Inside, there is a leather-lined cabin with seating for four, although the rear seats are far too small for average-sized adults. The driver faces a 16-inch gauge cluster, and there's an 8.4-inch touchscreen interface. Dual-zone climate control, power front seats, keyless entry, and adaptive cruise control are some of the options.

Many refer to the Roma as merely the coupe version of the Portofino, but the differences between these two cars run deeper than that. Until the Portofino M came along, the Roma's V8 was more powerful. Outside and in, the two cars are uniquely styled. We prefer that the Portofino relies less on touch controls, but the Roma is an even more beautiful car to look at and sit in. On the road, the Roma handles and rides better than the Portofino, thanks to the implementation of 70 percent new components. It's better at being a GT, but then again, the Portofino's ability to drop its roof adds to the fun. Similar in performance and price, it's the way the Roma looks and feels that sees it edge out its drop-top sibling.

The SF90 Stradale supercar sits much higher up in the Ferrari hierarchy. It has a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 supplemented by hybrid power and produces an astonishing 986 hp. Unsurprisingly, its performance specs are just as towering, with 0 to 62 mph coming up in a mere 2.5 seconds, almost a second less than the Roma. As the speeds increase, the Stradale will continue widening the gap. With its mid-engine configuration and AWD, the SF90 is a noticeably different beast to drive, but it's even more effective at covering ground at a vast rate. In EV mode, the SF90 Stradale is as quiet as any Ferrari has ever been, but it wakes up in spectacular fashion when the V8 joins the party. At around three times the price of the Roma, the SF90 Stradale is in an entirely different league. Then again, it's the Roma that has two small additional seats and a much more usable trunk. The Stradale is the more impressive technical achievement, but that doesn't mean that the Roma isn't a special car in its own right.