Driving the family in a Ferrari FF, the V-12 soccer hauler

There's something magical about Ferraris, even those modern-day versions built in far greater numbers than the million-dollar classics at the auctions. While most Ferraris pursue speed above all, a few have been geared toward carrying the occasional passenger, dating all the way back to the1960s with the 250 GT.

But the Ferrari FF isn't just a modern V-12-powered four seater, but an all-wheel-drive hatchback — a shape reserved for the kind of vehicles that dodge minivans at preschool parking lots more than chicanes on a race track. So I procured an FF for a weekend with a family, to see how this Italian exotic would handle the domestic chores most cars don't give a second thought.

While the shooting brake styling of the Ferrari FF can be polarizing, I for one love the car’s extended roofline that ends in a hatchback. On the other side of the styling fence is the rest of my family, my 11- and 9-year old sons, plus my wife, all thought the FF’s frontend has a sleek and modern look, but seems disjointed. Sitting inside the rich Italian leather-wrapped cockpit, we all agree the single-pane glass panoramic roof is stunning to look through. Allowing light without heat grants the FF a more open feel in what's otherwise a very snug interior, especially for those in the two rear bucket seats.