What Is the Best Italian Car Brand?

Ferrari is broadly regarded as the best Italian car brand overall, thanks to unmatched motorsport pedigree, enduring brand strength, world-class performance, and increasingly sophisticated hybrid technology. That said, “best” depends on what you value—design drama, everyday usability, craftsmanship, or price—so alternatives like Lamborghini, Pagani, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Maserati, and others can be the right choice for different buyers and budgets.

How “Best” Was Assessed

Italian marques excel in different ways. To answer the question meaningfully, it helps to weigh performance, reliability, design, value, innovation, heritage, and ownership experience rather than treating “best” as purely subjective.

• Performance and engineering: powertrains, chassis, lap times, and breadth of ability on road and track.
• Design and craftsmanship: exterior/interior design, materials, and build quality.
• Heritage and motorsport: historical significance, racing success, and continuity of vision.
• Innovation and future readiness: hybrid/EV strategy, software, and driver-assistance tech.
• Reliability and ownership: service network, residual values, and customer satisfaction.
• Value and accessibility: price-to-performance and total cost of ownership.

These criteria reflect not just headline speed or price, but how well a brand balances emotion with execution—and how prepared it is for the industry’s electrified future.

The Verdict: Ferrari Leads Overall

Ferrari’s consistency across performance, branding, and product execution puts it at the top. Its modern lineup (including the hybrid SF90 and 296, the V12 12Cilindri, and the Purosangue) blends technical depth with daily usability in a way few rivals match. The company has posted record results in recent years, its order books remain strong, and it continues to invest in electrification with its first full EV confirmed for 2025 and a new e-building in Maranello. On the cultural side, Ferrari’s F1 program remains a powerful halo, with high-profile wins in the 2024 season and a headline driver lineup change announced for 2025—momentum that reinforces brand desirability.

Why Ferrari Rises Above

Ferrari’s edge stems from a rare combination of objective performance and intangible allure that carries through from racing to road cars.

• Technical excellence: benchmark powertrains and chassis tuning; hybrids that enhance, not dilute, engagement.
• Brand strength: consistently rated among the world’s strongest luxury brands, with exceptional residual values.
• Racing-to-road credibility: decades of F1 development informing aerodynamics, software, and materials.
• Product breadth: from mid-engine hybrids to V12 GTs and a four-door Purosangue, broadening appeal without eroding identity.

These advantages translate to cars that deliver on track-day performance, road refinement, and long-term collectability—key pillars of “best” in the supercar realm.

Caveats Buyers Should Note

Even the leader has trade-offs. Prospective owners should consider practicalities and costs alongside performance dreams.

• Price and availability: high MSRPs and lengthy waitlists for popular models.
• Running costs: insurance, servicing, and tires can be significant.
• Practicality: even the Purosangue, while versatile, is not a conventional SUV.
• Dealer/service footprint: excellent but limited compared with mass-market brands.

For many enthusiasts, these are acceptable compromises. For others, a different Italian badge might fit better.

Best by Category: The Right Italian Brand for You

Because “best” varies by use case, here is how leading Italian marques stand out across common buyer priorities in 2024–2025.

• Design drama and theater: Lamborghini. The Revuelto (V12 plug-in hybrid) and the Huracán successor’s hybrid V8 bring outrageous styling with modern performance and strong order books.
• Bespoke craftsmanship at the hypercar level: Pagani. Ultra-low volumes, exquisite materials, and obsessive detail for collectors prioritizing artistry over lap times.
• Driver’s car under supercar money: Alfa Romeo. The Giulia Quadrifoglio remains a benchmark sports sedan for steering feel and balance; the Tonale adds accessible performance with electrified options.
• Everyday value and city practicality: Fiat. The 500e has been among Europe’s most popular small EVs, reflecting approachable pricing and urban usability.
• Grand touring luxury: Maserati. The latest GranTurismo (including the Folgore EV) and MC20 supercar focus on long-legged speed and Italian style, with quality on an upward curve.
• Design-led comeback and heritage: Lancia. Revived with the new Ypsilon (EV and mild-hybrid) and an announced roadmap of models, aiming to recapture its storied design and rally legacy.
• Track-day purism: Dallara. The Stradale offers race-car sensations with road legality for drivers who prioritize lightweight dynamics over creature comforts.

If your priority is raw spectacle, Lamborghini likely beats Ferrari for you; if you want art-as-automobile, Pagani wins. Budget and use case narrow the field quickly—and that’s where non-supercar brands shine.

Electrification And The Road Ahead

Italian brands are adapting rapidly to emissions rules and changing buyer expectations. Ferrari’s hybrid portfolio is mature, with a full EV due in 2025. Lamborghini pairs a plug-in hybrid V12 in the Revuelto with a new hybrid V8 for its smaller supercar, while hinting at a future battery-electric model later in the decade. Stellantis-owned brands are moving fastest in the mainstream: Fiat’s 500e remains central to urban EV adoption; Alfa Romeo added the Junior (renamed from Milano) with electric and hybrid versions; and Maserati’s Folgore line (GranTurismo and Grecale) anchors its transition. Lancia’s modern reboot begins with the Ypsilon EV. Pagani, focused on analog feel, continues to favor lightweight ICE and limited electrification, reflecting its clientele’s priorities.

Buying Advice: How To Choose

Finding your “best” Italian brand comes down to fit—what you’ll drive, where you live, and how you define value.

• Clarify your use case: daily commute, weekend B-roads, track days, or grand touring.
• Set a total budget: include insurance, maintenance, tires, and potential depreciation.
• Test drive rivals back-to-back: feel matters, especially steering, ride, and visibility.
• Check dealer proximity and service reputation: convenience affects long-term satisfaction.
• Consider future regulations and charging: hybrids/EVs may offer tax and access benefits in cities.
• Think long-term value: limited-series models and strong brands typically hold value better.

A structured approach turns a dream purchase into a well-matched one—maximizing enjoyment and minimizing surprises.

Summary

Ferrari stands as the best Italian car brand overall, blending relentless performance, racing heritage, and brand power with credible electrification. But “best” is contextual: Lamborghini dominates for drama, Pagani for craftsmanship, Alfa Romeo for attainable driving joy, Fiat for urban practicality, Maserati for grand touring, and Lancia for design-led revival. Match the badge to your priorities, and Italy has a “best” waiting for you.