Ferrari Roma Review: La Dolce Vita on Australian Roads

The Ferrari Roma was Ferrari’s front-engined grand tourer from 2020 until it was replaced by the Ferrari Amalfi in 2026. It is no longer sold new in Australia, so this review is written for buyers considering one on the used market rather than as a new-car guide. At launch in Australia it was priced from $381,150 before on-road costs (2025 model year, CarsGuide). Add stamp duty and drive-away landed at $410,000 to $430,000 depending on your state. The question this review answers is whether what you get justifies what you spent, or what a used example is worth today.

Looking for a new Ferrari GT instead? The Roma’s successor, the Ferrari Amalfi, is priced from $503,261 before on-road costs as at July 2026.

Where the Roma Sits in the Ferrari Range

The Roma is Ferrari’s modern interpretation of the grand tourer. It is not a track weapon – that is what the 296 GTB and the 488 Pista are for. It is not a statement of excess – that is what the 812 Competizione is for. The Roma is the Ferrari you buy when you want to drive to work, to dinner, and to the coast on the weekend, and when you want to look and feel great doing all of it.

It launched in 2020 and a Spider (open-top) variant followed in 2023. The Spider in Australia is priced at $520,300 before on-roads – a significant premium for the roof that comes off.

The Roma’s 2+2 seating means it technically seats four. The rear seats are not comfortable for adults on long trips, but they are useful for luggage or the occasional short ride.

Powertrain: 3.9-Litre Twin-Turbo V8

The Roma’s engine is a 3.9-litre twin-turbocharged V8. According to CarExpert’s specifications, the 2024-25 Roma produces 456 kW and 760 Nm of torque. Peak power arrives at 5,750 rpm, peak torque at 3,000 rpm.

The 0-100 km/h sprint takes 3.4 seconds. Top speed is listed at 320 km/h. These are the figures Ferrari publishes and they are credible for a 456 kW rear-wheel drive car.

The transmission is an 8-speed dual-clutch unit. There is no manual option, which will disappoint a small number of buyers but is hard to argue with on the road. Shifts in automatic mode are smooth and fast. In manual mode via the steering wheel paddles, the response sharpens up considerably.

What makes the Roma’s engine work is not just the peak numbers. The twin-turbo setup delivers strong mid-range torque that makes the car feel effortlessly fast in everyday situations. And unlike some turbocharged performance cars that feel dull at low revs, the Roma still rewards revving toward its 7,500 rpm limiter. The soundtrack from 5,000 rpm onwards is genuinely special.

Chassis and Handling

Ferrari built the Roma on an aluminium-intensive platform. Around 70 per cent of the body structure uses aluminium, which keeps the kerb weight at around 1,570 kg for the coupe.

Suspension is double-wishbone front, multilink rear. The car gets rear-wheel steering as standard, which reduces the turning circle at low speeds and improves stability at high speeds. On a car of this size, the effect is real – the Roma feels more agile and responsive than its dimensions suggest.

The manettino dial on the steering wheel gives you four main driving modes. In Comfort mode, the Roma is genuinely relaxed – it absorbs poor road surfaces without drama, and the throttle response is manageable. In Sport mode, everything firms and sharpens. CT Off is for confident drivers in controlled environments.

Australian roads – particularly in New South Wales and Victoria – present a mixed surface quality challenge. On the smoother stretches, the Roma feels sorted and fast. On the rougher stuff, it handles it better than you might expect from a car wearing this badge.

Interior and Technology

This is where the Roma genuinely distinguishes itself from older Ferrari GTs. The interior design is clean, modern, and genuinely well-executed.

The dashboard is dominated by a 16-inch curved display. A separate 9-inch passenger display sits where a traditional glove box might be. The overall effect is striking without being fussy. Material quality is excellent – the leather, stitching, and switchgear all feel appropriate for the price.

Ferrari’s configurator allows Australian buyers to personalise almost every surface. That personalisation is also how the price climbs. A Roma with a special colour, Alcantara headliner, carbon fibre elements, and the Assetto Fiorano handling package can push well past $450,000 before on-roads.

Boot space is 272 litres. Useful for weekend trips, not for a family holiday. Apple CarPlay is included. Android Auto is not available. Climate control is touch-based, which takes some adjustment.

What the Roma Cost When New, and the Luxury Car Tax Involved

The Roma is no longer sold new, so the figures below describe what a buyer paid at launch and are useful mainly for understanding what LCT a used example would have attracted, or what a private-sale price is being measured against. At its 2025 Australian list price the Roma was $381,150 before on-road costs. The Roma Spider was $520,300.

At this price, the car is comfortably above the 2025-26 Luxury Car Tax threshold of $80,567. LCT is charged at 33 per cent on the amount above the threshold, after removing GST.

For the Roma at $381,150 before on-roads:

• Amount above threshold: $381,150 – $80,567 = $300,583
• Remove GST: $300,583 x (10/11) = $273,257
• LCT payable: $273,257 x 0.33 = approximately $90,175

In practice, the $381,150 advertised by dealers already includes both GST and LCT. So LCT is embedded in that number rather than added on top. What buyers pay separately are:

• Stamp duty: Varies by state. In Victoria, expect approximately $30,000 to $35,000. In NSW, approximately $16,000 to $18,000. In WA, approximately $24,000.
• Registration and CTP: Approximately $1,500 per year
• Dealer delivery: Approximately $2,000 to $4,000

Drive-away prices in most states will land between $410,000 and $430,000 for a base Roma. Options are a separate matter entirely.

The Competition

At the Roma’s price point, Australian buyers have real alternatives:

• Porsche 911 GTS (~$280,000 to $330,000): More driver-focused, more usable daily, significantly cheaper to run
• McLaren GT (~$340,000): Lighter, sharper, mid-engine layout, less daily comfort
• Aston Martin DB12 (~$435,000): Similar grand tourer brief, different character, different engine choices
• Bentley Continental GT V8 (from ~$385,000): More focused on luxury than performance, much heavier

The Roma competes at the more exclusive end of this group. Against the Porsche, it is more beautiful and more theatrical. Against the Bentley, it is more dynamic and more driver-focused. It does not try to be everything – it is a fast, beautiful grand tourer, and it does that specific thing with conviction.

Ownership in Australia

Ferrari Australia imported the Roma as a right-hand drive car through its authorised dealer network. Buying used from that network, or from a reputable specialist, avoids any grey-import complications.

Ferrari’s 7-Year Genuine Maintenance program is included with all new Romas. It covers all scheduled servicing for the first seven years at intervals of 20,000 km or annually, including labour, oil, and parts. This is a genuine financial benefit – the equivalent value of that program over seven years is substantial.

Authorised Ferrari dealers in Australia are located in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth. All are capable of servicing under the maintenance program.

After the seven-year program ends, expect servicing costs of $2,000 to $8,000 per year depending on what is due. Specialist insurance (agreed value) through providers such as Shannons or Enthusiast Motor Insurance will run $8,000 to $15,000 per year.

Verdict

The Ferrari Roma is not the most powerful Ferrari you can buy, nor is it the most focused. But for Australian buyers who want a car that genuinely works as daily transport, looks extraordinary, and delivers authentic Ferrari performance when the road opens up, it makes a very compelling case.

The V8 is excellent. The interior is the best Ferrari GT has produced in this segment. Ride quality is liveable in the real world. And on the right Australian road – the Oxley Highway in NSW, the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, the Mornington Peninsula on a weekday morning – it rewards at a level that justifies the price of entry.

The caveats are real: options can push the total cost dramatically higher, stamp duty adds thousands depending on your state, and the rear seats are not for adults on long trips. But as a package, the Roma is exactly what it claims to be – a modern Italian GT of the first order.

Sources

• 2025 Ferrari Roma Price and Specs – CarsGuide
• 2024 Ferrari Roma Pricing – CarExpert
• LCT Thresholds 2025-26 – AADA
• Ferrari 7-Year Genuine Maintenance – Ferrari Sydney
• Motor Vehicle Stamp Duty Rates by State – Gusto Finance
• Ferrari Roma Spider Australian Pricing – Chasing Cars