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Ferrari Roma vs Aston Martin DB12: The UK Grand Tourer Verdict

Two front-engined V8 GTs, one British and one Italian — we weigh up which makes more sense for UK buyers in 2026 on cost, prestige, and long-term value.

The Ferrari Roma vs Aston Martin DB12 question cuts to the heart of what a modern grand tourer should be. Both are front-engined, twin-turbo V8 coupes aimed squarely at the same buyer — but in 2026, with the Roma now discontinued and replaced by the Amalfi, the comparison has shifted: you're increasingly looking at a used Roma against a new or nearly-new DB12, and that changes the numbers considerably.

The Roma's Case: A Ferrari That Changed

When Ferrari launched the Roma in 2020, it was a quiet revolution. According to evo's long-term review, the Roma was Ferrari's first-ever front-engined V8 coupe — and it marked the moment the entry-level Ferrari genuinely grew up. Earlier cars like the California and Portofino always felt like they were made to widen Ferrari's audience rather than satisfy its existing one. The Roma felt like it belonged.

Six years on, that reputation has solidified. The Roma may now be out of production, but the used market is pricing it attractively — evo notes that examples can be had from around £130,000, roughly the same as a Porsche 911 Carrera S with a couple of options. For a car that launched at significantly more, that represents a notable depreciation hit for early owners but a compelling opportunity for 2026 buyers.

Performance and Powertrain

On paper, the Roma's numbers remain genuinely impressive:

  • 611bhp from a twin-turbo flat-plane-crank V8
  • 560lb ft of torque
  • 0–62mph in 3.4 seconds
  • Top speed: 199mph
  • Eight-speed dual-clutch transmission
  • Kerb weight around 1,650kg (on evo's scales)

The flat-plane V8 is a different sonic proposition to the crossplane V8s found in the Aston Martin Vantage family — it's sharper and more purposeful in tone rather than thunderous. Evo describes the Roma's engine as "willing, rev-hungry," with a character that rewards keeping it above 3,000rpm in its 2,250rpm-wide torque sweet spot. The eight-speed DCT fires through ratios "brutally fast" in manual mode or slurs smoothly in auto.

One caveat: in Comfort mode, the powertrain responses are deliberately dialled back to reduce emissions, introducing a discernible throttle lag. Switch to Sport and the hesitancy disappears entirely.

Ride, Handling, and Daily Usability

This is where the Roma surprises. Despite sharing its platform origins with the Portofino — not the most dynamic starting point — Ferrari rebuilt 70 per cent of the chassis for the Roma. The result, says evo, is "a fantastic blend of sports car sharpness and GT comfort."

The ride in Comfort mode delivers genuine plushness. Over motorway expansion joints and broken British B-roads, the Roma absorbs imperfections with a quiet, controlled composure that makes cross-country distance feel effortless. Dynamically, the steering is light and ultra-reactive — something that takes time to trust, particularly in the wet — but the car's natural agility and an electronic differential that manages traction with precision make it a rewarding partner once you're calibrated to it.

For a car that competes in the grand tourer segment, usability matters. The Roma's four-seat 2+2 layout and practical GT ambitions make it a viable daily driver in ways a mid-engined Ferrari is not. The DB12 targets similar ground with a full 2+2 cabin that Aston Martin has positioned explicitly around long-distance comfort — both cars are making the same promise, but the Roma's Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer and five-stage Manettino give it a wider performance envelope when you want to use it.

UK Ownership Costs and Depreciation

Here's where the comparison gets interesting for 2026 buyers.

The used Roma case:

  • Entry point around £130,000 for early examples
  • Servicing through a Ferrari dealer network with fixed-price programmes
  • Flat-plane V8 GPF (gas particulate filter) system designed to meet Euro 6 without traditional silencers — relevant as UK emissions rules continue to tighten
  • No longer in production, so values may stabilise as supply dries up

The DB12 consideration:

  • New DB12 prices start significantly higher — above £185,000 at launch
  • As a current-generation model, it carries more residual support from the manufacturer
  • Aston Martin's warranty and servicing packages are competitive, though dealer network density in the UK is thinner than Ferrari's

Over a three-year ownership window, the Roma's steepest depreciation has arguably already happened. Buyers entering now are taking on a car that has passed through its sharpest value correction. Whether that floor holds depends on the Roma's collectability as the last of its line — the Amalfi succeeds it — which Ferrari purists may view favourably.

Prestige and Badge Appeal

This is subjective but real. Ferrari carries a global prestige premium that Aston Martin — despite its Bond-era cachet — does not fully match on resale markets outside the UK. In Britain, Aston Martin enjoys particular cultural resonance, which matters at concours events, car clubs, and the school run equally.

The Roma's styling — deliberately evoking 1960s Ferrari elegance over function-led aerodynamics — still reads as genuinely beautiful six years on. Evo notes it remains "a rarer sight than Ferrari had hoped," which cuts both ways: exclusivity on the road, but a smaller community of owners and aftermarket support compared with higher-volume Ferrari models.

Key Takeaways

  • The used Roma at ~£130,000 represents strong value — Ferrari performance and badge for 911 Carrera S money, now that its steepest depreciation has passed.
  • The Roma's flat-plane V8 is characterful and fast, though it lacks the crossplane thunder of Aston Martin's V8 — a subjective but real distinction for GT buyers.
  • Ride quality is a genuine Roma strength — evo's real-world testing confirms proper GT comfort alongside sports car dynamics, making it a credible daily driver.
  • The DB12 is the newer, under-warranty choice — better supported by the manufacturer today, but carries a significant new-car price premium.
  • For three-year value retention, the Roma's floor may now be set; the DB12 faces the steeper initial depreciation curve that all new luxury cars carry.

Sources

evo.co.uk — Ferrari Roma (2020 - 2026) review (22 Apr 2026)

Ferrari Roma vs Aston Martin DB12: The UK Grand Tourer Verdict — Vertar | Vertar