The 2020 Ferrari Roma is a front-engined, 2+2 grand tourer based on the Portofino. Powered by a 3.9-liter V-8 engine, the 2020 Roma slots under the 812 Superfast and it's the company most affordable vehicle as of 2021. Its exterior design is inspired by Ferrari 250 models from the 1960s and focused on understated elegance rather than aggressiveness. The 2020 Roma is aimed at Aston Martin and Porsche buyers and the Italian firm estimates that 70 percent of clients will be first-time Ferrari customers. Is the 2020 Roma a solid competitor for the likes of the Aston Martin DB11? Let's find out in the review below.

Exterior

Design-wise, the Roma is significantly different from any other Ferrari available right now. Inspired by iconic grand tourers from the 1960s like the 250 GT Lusso and 250 GT 2+2, the Roma doesn't look as aggressive as the 812 Superfast. It features softer lines and almost no creases, which result in a sporty yet elegant look.

Up front, Ferrari adopted a new grille concept in which the mesh is perfectly integrated into a shark-nose fascia. And unlike other Ferraris, the grille is finished in the same color as the body. But while it looks cool on dark-colored cars, it's a bit odd on bright-colored models, especially yellow, red, white, and light blue. The grille is flanked by organic-looking headlamps that extends toward the front fenders. Down below, there's a carbon-fiber splitter. The engine hood looks rather simple, another sign of Ferrari's "minimalist elegance" design experiment for this car.

The profile of the Roma is surprisingly featureless. It's the only Ferrari that doesn't feature gills or openings to the sides and the side skirts are also cleaner than usual. There are no B-pillars and the glasshouse is almost symmetrical. The C-pillars are unusually thin, while the muscular rear haunches meet into a really short rear deck lid. There's something very Aston Martin about the Roma's profile and that's a good thing.

The rear end also introduces a new take on Ferrari's already iconic quad-taillight layout. Instead of using round lights like on several models from the past, Ferrari opted for extremely slim and rectangular units integrated into the upper fascia. The V-shaped trunk lid extends all the way to the diffuser, a cool design feature that's not very practical when it comes to loading large items in the rear. The diffuser is of the usual Ferrari variety with a "tunnel" section in the center and bigger side elements that integrate the exhaust pipes.

Interior

An elegant grand tourer on the outside, the Roma is a full-fledged supercar inside the cabin. It features a reimagined version of the company's familiar Dual Cockpit design that separates the driver and passenger cells. A tall and slanted center console runs between them and both cell feature wrap-around dashboard designs. The symmetry that you find in most modern cars is gone here. Not only the driver side dash is taller to accommodate the instrument cluster, but the A/C vents are also mounted in different positions. While the instrument cluster is flanked by vertically oriented vents, the display on the passenger-side dash is flanked by horizontal outlets.

The dashboard itself boasts a two-tone finish with a darker upper section and a lighter lower element. These areas are set apart by red trim. The entire layout trickled onto the door panels for a cohesive look. If you're not a fan of flashy upholstery layouts, Ferrari offers simpler finishes with matching upper and lower areas, as well as darker trim and stitching. The center console extends all the way to the back, where it separates the rear seats. The Roma is a 2+2 grand tourer so it can seat up to four people, but the rear seats aren't exact comfortable for adults.

But the Roma is obviously comfortable when it comes to features and tech. Almost every surface is covered in full-grain Frau Leather and Alcantara, sprinkled with trim elements made from aluminum and carbon-fiber. There's hardly any hard plastic inside the cabin except from some buttons on the center console and door panels. The flat-bottom steering wheel is also wrapped in leather and features carbon-fiber elements, while the shift paddles are also made from the lightweight composite.

The all-digital instrument cluster features a large and elegant binnacle that's seamlessly integrated into the dashboard design. The 16-inch screen is curved so it's easier to read and includes a big rev counter in the center. The second display, an 8.4-inch unit set between the two cockpits, integrates navigation and climate control functions. A third screen, measuring 8.8 inches, is mounted on the passenger-side dash and shows performance figures and status, but it can also be used to access navigation, climate, and media information. This screen is optional.

Drivetrain and Performance

The Ferrari Roma is powered by Maranello's already iconic F154 engine. First introduced in 2013 in the California T, the mill has been refined over the years, being fitted in the GTC4Lusso T and Portofino. Sharing the same internals as in the Portofino M, the twin-turbo 3.9-liter V-8 cranks out 612 horsepower and 561 pound-feet of torque. It's not the most powerful iteration of the F154 engine though. The F8 Tributo features a 710-horsepower mill, while the SF90 Stradale packs an enlarged, 4.0-liter variant good for 769 horsepower.

How fast is the 2020 Ferrari Roma?

Still, the unit is powerful enough to push the Roma from 0 to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds. The sprint to 124 mph takes 9.3 seconds, while top speed comes in at 199 mph.

How does the 2020 Ferrari Roma compare to other V-8 Ferraris?

The Roma on par with the Portofino M, which is fitted with the same V-8 engine rated at 612 horsepower. The Portofino also needs 3.4 seconds to hit 62 mph and tops out at 199 mph. Compared to the F8 Tributo, which comes with 710 horsepower on tap, the Roma is a half-second slower to 62 mph, while its top speed is 12 mph lower. The SF90 Stradale is obviously much quicker, but a comparison wouldn't be fair since it's a hybrid. While its 4.0-liter V-8 generates 769 horsepower, it also features three electric motors with 217 horses for a total output of 986 horsepower.

But the Roma isn't supposed to be the fastest or most powerful Ferrari. It's a stylish grand tourer that slots under the 812 Superfast and a vehicle you're supposed to live with on a daily basis. Its 612-horsepower rating is enough to fit the bill.

The V-8 mates to a brand-new, eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox. It replaces Ferrari's old seven-speed transmission and it's some 13 pounds lighter by comparison. This gearbox is derived from the eight-speed dual-clutch that Ferrari introduced on the SF90 Stradale, but it features longer gear ratios and a reverse gear. It also features a new clutch module that is 20 percent smaller but delivers 35 percent more torque compared to the old seven-speed gearbox.

The Roma also features Variable Boost Management, a software that adjusts torque delivery based on gear selection. It optimizes fuel consumption, reduced CO2 emissions, and help the car deliver a smooth, consistent pick-up as it goes up through the gears.

As far as dynamics go, the Roma is fitted with Side Slip Control 6.0, Dynamic Enhancer, and Adaptive Cruise Control. Side Slip Control integrated systems such as E-Diff, F1-Trac, and SCM-E, all of which help keep the car firm on the road by estimating the amount of side slip. The Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer is also active in Race mode on the Roma, improving handling and grip at the track. The optional Adaptive Cruise Control feature can be controlled directly from the steering wheel. The ADAS safety package also includes features like Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Departure warning with Traffic Sign Recognition, Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Surround View Camera.

How much does the 2020 Ferrari Roma cost?

The Ferrari Roma comes in at $222,620 before options. It's notably more affordable than Ferrari's other grand tourer, the 812 Superfast, priced from around $340,000. But it's also priced below the F8 Tributo supercar, which starts from around $275,000. It's also priced below the $245,000 Portofino M, so it's basically the most affordable Ferrari out there.

Is the 2020 Ferrari Roma better than the Aston Martin DB11?

Before the Roma arrived, Ferrari used the 812 Superfast to go against the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera. The arrival of the Roma enables the Italian company to compete against the more affordable DB11. Introduced in 2016 as a successor to the iconic DB9, the DB11 is only slightly longer than the Roma, but it also features a front-engined layout and a similar clean, sporty, and elegant design. The base model features a 4.0-liter V-8 engine sourced from AMG and rated at 503 horsepower and 498 pound-feet of torque. But Aston Martin will match the Roma's output with a twin-turbo, 5.2-liter V-12 unit that cranks out 600 horses and 516 pound-feet of twist. Although not quite as powerful, the DB11 needs only 3.6 seconds to hit 62 mph while running toward a top speed of 200 mph. Unlike Ferrari, Aston Martin offers a convertible version of the DB11. It also offers an AMR variant with sportier features an a V-12 upgraded to deliver 630 horsepower. This version hits 62 mph in 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 208 mph. The V-8-powered DB11 starts from $208,425, while the AMR version comes in at $248,725 before options.

Read our full story on the Aston Martin DB11.

Conclusion

The Roma might not be Ferrari's fastest or most powerful vehicle, but it's definitely the prettiest from the current lineup. It's also notably more affordable than everything else you can buy from Maranello nowadays, so it's a good starting point if you want to become a Ferrari owner. Granted, it's not exactly affordable for the average Joe, but it costs only a bit more than a range-topping Porsche 911 Turbo or a Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupe, which is unheard of for a modern Ferrari. It's also supposed to be a grand tourer you can live with on a daily basis, so it's friendlier than the 812 Superfast and F8 Tributo for long trips or even lighter vacations. Given the price tag and availability, the Roma should become one of Ferrari's best-selling models.