Ferrari Purosangue

Car and Driver awarded the Ferrari Purosangue its highest rating after a comprehensive road test, praising the 715-hp naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V-12 that revs to 8,250 rpm, a near-impossible feat in an SUV body. The publication highlights the Purosangue's unique suicide rear doors and four-seat layout, which do not compromise its "supercar" DNA. In acceleration testing, it hit 60 mph in 3.2 seconds and ran the quarter-mile in 10.8 seconds, yet the focus is on the unrivaled steering response, active suspension (Multimatic TASV) that virtually eliminates body roll, and the sonorous exhaust note. C/D notes the ride quality is surprisingly compliant for a performance vehicle, though cargo space is modest and rear headroom is limited for tall passengers. The summary emphasizes that while rivals like the Aston Martin DBX707 and Lamborghini Urus Performante are brutally quick, the Purosangue offers a level of engagement and chassis sophistication that redefines the utility-vehicle genre. It's deemed not merely the best SUV for enthusiasts, but a true Ferrari that happens to have four doors, justifying its six-figure price tag for those who prioritize driving purity over practicality.

Motor Trend's first-drive review of the Purosangue, conducted on the winding roads of Umbria, Italy, emphasizes the car's astonishing composure and dynamic capability despite its 2,033-kg curb weight. The editors note that Ferrari's decision to use the front-mid-engined layout and a rear-mounted transaxle (8-speed DCT) yields near-perfect 49:51 weight distribution, allowing the Purosangue to change direction with an agility that defies physics. MT praises the active rear-wheel steering (e-Booster) and the 'Smanioso' suspension system that reads the road surface 15 times per second, keeping the body flat during aggressive cornering. The V-12 is described as the star—silky at low speeds and ferociously vocal above 6,000 rpm—with zero downsizing or electrification compromise. However, MT criticizes the overly complex interior controls (the touchscreen interfaces and haptic buttons can be distracting) and the fact that the rear seats are genuinely usable but the trunk opening is small for an SUV. Overall, the rating reflects that the Purosangue is a sensational driver's machine and a landmark product, but not without minor ergonomic and practical compromises that hold it just short of a perfect score. The verdict: it's the most thrilling "utility vehicle" ever made, but buyers must accept Ferrari's idiosyncratic approach to everyday usability.

Autocar's comprehensive road test (rated 4.5 out of 5) positions the Purosangue as the finest grand tourer that happens to have elevated ride height. The British publication's reviewers praise the V-12's linear power delivery and the superb 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox's instant responses, noting that the car feels 300 kg lighter than it is. Autocar's meticulous testing revealed that on a mountain pass, the Purosangue can keep pace with a sports car, thanks to the torque-vectoring and rear-wheel steer that creates a surprisingly neutral handling balance. The ride quality on 21-inch front and 22-inch rear wheels (with Continental or Pirelli tires) is described as "magical"—the active suspension eliminates the typical choppy feel of high-performance SUVs. The interior receives high marks for the premium materials and the practical four-seat configuration with heated, power-adjustable rear seats; a rare feature for a Ferrari. Criticism is directed at the infotainment system, which lacks a central display (the driver gets a curved dashboard screen while the passenger gets a separate display, and the center console is dominated by haptic controls), and the high pricing starting around £313,000 in the UK. Autocar's verdict emphasizes that the Purosangue isn't intended to be a mall crawler; it is a serious driver's car that only the most skilled will fully exploit. Their final point: no other SUV comes close to providing this level of engagement and emotional connection.