Ferrari Purusangio review: A family transporter that thinks it's a supercar
Well guys, it's finally happening. Ferrari collapsed. The last bastion of the "we'll never build an SUV" club has gone and done just that. Meet the 2024 Ferrari Purosangio, which happens to be the most controversial car since they put paddle shifters in the F355 and the traditionalists had a meltdown.
Let's be clear about one thing right away, Ferrari doesn't want to call it an SUV. no. It's a four-door, four-seat Ferrari. You know, like the FF and GTC4Lusso, but with more ground clearance and actual ease of use.
So, is the Purosangue a sell-out, or is it the best thing to happen to Ferrari since Enzo himself? Let's dive in and see how this SUV performs... oops, I mean 'four-door, four-seat Ferrari'.
Supercar DNA with SUV bodywork
At first glance, the Purosangue looks like a mutant version of the F12 Berlinetta and Lamborghini Urus. It's low for an SUV, it's aggressive like all SUVs, and dare we say it's good looking.
The proportions are sleek, with a long nose, wide limbs, and a stance that says, "I can drive your kids to school... at 193 mph." Suicide rear doors (yes, really) add a touch of drama, and the lack of traditional door handles makes it look sharp and modern.
Under the hood: Because a Ferrari SUV needs a proper Ferrari engine
Ferrari could have taken the easy route and shoved a twin-turbo V8 into this thing, but no. They decided to go all out with the naturally aspirated V12. That's why we salute them.
Specifications that matter:
- engine: 6.5 liter V12 naturally aspirated
- power: 715 horsepower at 7750 rpm
- Torque: 528 lb-ft at 6250 rpm
- 0-60 mph: 3.2 seconds
- top gear: 193 mph
- Payment system: All-wheel drive (with rear-wheel bias, due to Ferrari)
- Transition: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Now, let's be honest here, does anyone do that? needs An SUV with a 715-horsepower V12? No, but does it matter? Absolutely not.
The Purosangue's V12 is a thing of beauty, revving up to 8,250rpm with a soundtrack that will make even the most hardened SUV critic go weak in the knees and giggling like little schoolgirls. Unlike turbocharged rivals, there's no artificial trickery in the exhaust, it's just a pure mechanical symphony.
Driving Experience: An SUV that doesn't drive like one
You'd expect a 4,800-pound Ferrari to feel...heavy. But somehow, it doesn't happen. Thanks to an active suspension that might as well be magic, the Purosangue corners like a much smaller, more nimble car.
New Multimatic True Active Spool Valve dampers (a fancy way of saying “really smart shocks”) keep the body under control without the need for traditional anti-roll bars. The result? A large SUV with the agility of a Ferrari.
The steering is razor-sharp, response is immediate, and despite the all-wheel drive system, it still feels like a rear-wheel-drive Ferrari when pushed hard.
Sure, it's no 296 GTB, but compared to other high-performance SUVs? It's a whole different ball game.
Interior: Luxurious, but still all Ferrari
The Purosangue's interior is a combination of familiar Ferrari touches and impressive practicality. Unlike other Ferrari models, it's actually roomy – rear passengers get real legroom, and there's a respectable cargo area.
Interior features:
- Digital dashboard and passenger display: The driver gets a full digital screen, and the front passenger gets his own screen for entertainment and trip information.
- The roof is lined with suede and carbon fiber throughout: Because of course.
- Four individual bucket seats: No boring bench seats here...just four proper sports seats.
- Cargo space: 16.7 cubic feet, which is enough for luggage, but don't expect Range Rover levels of practicality.
It's a strange combination of luxury and sportiness, but Ferrari seems to have nailed it. The technology is all cutting edge, yet it still feels like a driver's car inside.
Trims and Options: Ferrari's base model doesn't really exist
Ferrari doesn't really do "decorations" the way other car brands do. Instead, they offer an amazing amount of customization. You don't choose between 'SE' and 'S-Line', you choose every detail down to the color of the stitching.
Interesting options and customizations:
- Endless paint options: Ferrari will paint your Purosangue in any color imaginable (for a hefty price, of course).
- Sound system upgrade: A Burmester 3D surround sound system is available if you somehow don't want to listen to the V12's tunes.
- Carbon fiber everything:Do you want a carbon fiber roof? Carbon fiber interior panels? Ferrari provides you with everything you need.
- Massage seats: Because even a V12 all-wheel-drive Ferrari has to have some comfort.
Starting price? About $400,000. Round up some options and don't be surprised if you're looking at $500,000 or more.
What else can you buy for that money?
The Purosangue is in a class of its own, but here's what else you can get in the super SUV world:
Lamborghini Urus Performante
- power: 657 hp from a twin-turbo V8 engine
- 0-60 mph: 3.0 seconds
- top gear: 190 mph
- Starting price: $270,000
- Judgment: The Urus is fast, wild-looking, and performs strongly, but it lacks the exclusivity and V12 charm of the Purosangue.
Aston Martin DBX 707
- power: 697 hp from a twin-turbo V8 engine
- 0-60 mph: 3.1 seconds
- top gear: 193 mph
- Starting price: $245,000
- JudgmentThe DBX 707 is stunning and shockingly fast, but does it have the magic of a Ferrari? not quite.
Bentley Bentayga Speed
- power: 626 hp from a twin-turbo W12 engine
- 0-60 mph: 3.1 seconds
- top gear: 190 mph
- Starting price: $260,000
- Judgment: Luxurious, but not as sporty or sexy as the Purosangue.
What we wish was different
Look, we love the Purosangue, but no car is perfect. Here are some things we'll adjust:
- the price: It starts at $400 and that's before you check any of the attractive option boxes. For a family mover, that's... a lot.
- Technology interface: Ferrari's infotainment system is still a bit clunky. For about half a million dollars, it should be flawless.
- There is no plug-in hybrid option: Ferrari has good hybrid technology in the SF90 and 296 GTB, so why not offer it here for more efficiency and power?
Verdict: A super SUV built the Ferrari way
The Purosangue is everything Ferrari fans feared, and everything they secretly hoped for. It's fast, it's loud, it's unwieldy in the best of ways, and it's completely unnecessary... but that's exactly what makes it so great.
Sure, it's expensive. It's certainly an SUV that Ferrari wouldn't dare call an SUV. But it's also a Ferrari that delivers an experience that no other high-performance SUV can. If you want the perfect family hauler with a prancing horse badge, this is it.
Now, what do you think? Is Ferrari's SUV for people who don't call it an SUV a masterpiece or a betrayal? Drop your thoughts below!