Ferrari spent decades insisting it would never build an SUV. When the Purosangue arrived in 2022, some observers expected compromise – a badge exercise, a practical car wearing Ferrari’s prancing horse as a courtesy. They were wrong. The Purosangue is a genuine Ferrari that happens to have four doors and a high-riding stance.
Breaking the Rules
Purosangue means “thoroughbred” in Italian. The naming choice tells you something about how Ferrari sees this car – not as a deviation from its identity, but as an extension of it. The brief was to build an SUV that drives like a Ferrari, not an SUV with Ferrari styling applied as an afterthought.
The result is a four-door, four-seat vehicle with a 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 mounted behind the front axle, a dual-clutch gearbox at the rear, and an active suspension system borrowed from Ferrari’s sports car programme. It is unlike any other luxury SUV on sale in Australia.
The V12 Engine
The naturally aspirated V12 is the most significant choice Ferrari made with the Purosangue. At a time when most rivals are turning to turbocharged engines or hybrid systems, Ferrari committed to a 533 kW (725 hp) free-breathing V12 that revs to 8,250 rpm. Torque is 716 Nm.
The 0-100 km/h time is 3.3 seconds. Top speed is 310 km/h. These numbers place the Purosangue well above any conventional SUV and into territory previously occupied only by performance sports cars.
The V12 sound is extraordinary. At full throttle near the 8,000 rpm redline, the Purosangue produces a sound that is immediately identifiable as a Ferrari – urgent, layered, operatic. No amount of sound insulation completely contains it, and Ferrari has clearly not tried too hard to do so.
The Doors
The Purosangue has four doors, but the rear doors open against the direction of travel – they are rear-hinged, what some call “suicide doors,” though Ferrari does not use that term. Entry and exit to the rear seats is significantly easier than a conventional four-door arrangement, and the theatre of arriving somewhere in a Purosangue is considerable.
Rear seat space is generous enough for two adults. Boot space is 473 litres. For a mid-engined layout with a V12, this is a practical achievement.
Driving Experience
The Purosangue drives with a composure and precision that a car of its dimensions has no right to. The magnetorheological suspension manages body roll effectively, and the active anti-roll bars work across the full chassis to keep the car flat through corners. The steering is weighted and direct for something this size.
In Comfort mode, the Purosangue is genuinely comfortable on Australian roads. The suspension absorbs surface imperfections well and noise suppression is good at highway speeds. Switch to Sport or Race, and the car transforms – the engine becomes more responsive, the gearbox shifts more aggressively, and the chassis begins to communicate in ways that remind you this is not just a practical family vehicle.
Australian Pricing and LCT
The Ferrari Purosangue is priced at approximately $900,000 to $1,000,000 in Australia before options. At this price point, LCT adds a significant sum – buyers are looking at total on-road costs approaching $1.1 million to $1.2 million depending on specification.
Ferrari’s Australian allocation is severely limited. Waiting lists at the time of launch extended to two to three years, and many customers were required to demonstrate existing Ferrari ownership to secure an allocation. On the secondary market, Purosangues have traded at premiums above retail price in Australia.
Running Costs
A naturally aspirated V12 driving a performance all-wheel-drive system is not efficient. Fuel consumption in real-world Australian use runs to 16 to 20 litres per 100 km. Annual servicing at a Ferrari dealer is estimated at $4,000 to $8,000 for routine work. Tyres – 285/40 ZR22 front and 315/35 ZR22 rear – are specialist fitments that will cost $5,000 to $8,000 per full set.
Who Buys One in Australia
The Purosangue is aimed at Ferrari customers who want genuine Ferrari character in a format that accommodates family use. In Australia, these buyers typically already own at least one other Ferrari and are looking for something that can serve as an occasional daily driver without abandoning the brand’s performance identity.
It has also attracted buyers from the luxury SUV segment – Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT and Lamborghini Urus Performante owners – who want something more exclusive and more emotionally engaging.
Verdict
The Ferrari Purosangue works. That might sound like a low bar, but given the scale of expectation – and the very real risk that Ferrari would dilute its identity in building it – getting this car right was a significant achievement. It is a Ferrari that happens to have four doors, not an SUV that happens to wear a Ferrari badge. The distinction matters, and anyone who drives it will feel it immediately.